Psalm 104:9
ESV
You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth.
NIV
You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth.
NASB
You set a boundary so that they will not pass over, So that they will not return to cover the earth.
CSB
You set a boundary they cannot cross; they will never cover the earth again.
NLT
Then you set a firm boundary for the seas, so they would never again cover the earth.
KJV
Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
NKJV
You have set a boundary that they may not pass over, That they may not return to cover the earth.
What does Psalm 104:9 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 104, verse-level content coming soon!Psalm 104:5–30 celebrates God's greatness as demonstrated in creation. All animals, all resources, all climates, and all environments are part of His design. So, too, are the sun and moon which are used to divide time. The Lord established every aspect of these natural elements. Without Him, nothing could exist. Only He creates and controls life. This is a more extensive description than other psalms which touch on creation (Psalm 8; 19; 24; 65; 95; 102; 121; 147).
The psalmist praises the Lord for His creation. God is credited with establishing the earth, setting boundaries for bodies of water, and providing water and food for animals and human beings. What God has made includes proper living spaces for all sorts of life. He set the motions of the sun and moon. All creation owes its existence to God's Spirit. The psalmist resolves to continue praising the Lord while hoping that the wicked will be removed from earth.
