This elegant Psalm speaks of creation, and all of God’s wondrous works surrounding it.
“He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. At your rebuke they fled; at the sound of your thunder they took to flight. The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place that you appointed for them. You set a boundary that they may not pass, so that they might not again cover the earth. You make springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills; they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth… The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees. He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about.” (v5-11,14,16-17,19-20)
The most interesting part of this Psalm for me is the portrayal of the global flood of Noah’s time (v6-9). The author mentions the deep (waters) clothing the earth, standing above the mountains. At God’s command the waters “fled” – He raised up the mountains and lowered the valleys so the waters would be forever separated from the land. Fascinating. This means that the earth was much flatter prior to the flood – fewer high and low spots. So logically, our Rocky Mountains are roughly 5400 years old – prior to that they were the “Rocky Hills” or “Rocky Plains”.
So what does this mean for us today? Well we can gain a new respect for God’s awesome power. If God was able to create the mountains with a simple command, and we are in awe of the mountains, should we not be in awe of God and his power?
I’m also reminded of the importance of creation care. God has entrusted us with this beautiful earth and given us the command to care for it (“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” [Gen 2:15]). It is our responsibility to be good stewards of all God entrusts to us – not only resources such as time and money, but also people, property and the environment.
Father God, You are truly awesome beyond compare. Who else could call the mountains and valleys into being with a command? Who else could teach the beasts of the field to eat or the birds to fly? Certainly not humankind, for we are finite and insignificant compared to Your power and glory. Please teach us wisdom and discernment as we seek to obey You and be faithful stewards of all that You have given us. Father may all honor, praise and reverence be given to You, creator of the universe. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training