The Meaning of Psalms 104:6 Explained

Psalms 104:6

KJV: Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.

YLT: The abyss! as with clothing Thou hast covered it, Above hills do waters stand.

Darby: Thou hadst covered it with the deep, as with a vesture; the waters stood above the mountains:

ASV: Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a vesture; The waters stood above the mountains.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Thou coveredst  it with the deep  as [with] a garment:  the waters  stood  above the mountains. 

What does Psalms 104:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalms 104:1-12 - The Lord's Wondrous Handiwork
The opening verses of this psalm appear to describe in sublime poetry the creation of the world. God is very great, because He created the heavens and the earth. He is clothed with honor and majesty, and yet He stooped to brood over the chaos and darkness which preceded the order and beauty of our earth. When He said, "Let there be light," He robed Himself in its texture. The firmament of Genesis 1:8 was the curtain of his tent. The clouds above and the seas beneath yielded his chariot and hid for Him the joists of His palace. See Genesis 1:9-10. Compare Psalms 103:4 and Hebrews 1:7.
The psalmist in Psalms 104:6 seems to see the process which is described briefly and graphically in Genesis 1:10. The waters had covered the world with their storm and welter; but at God's command they poured down the mountain slopes to the ocean bed, there to be retained by banks of sand. What exquisite thoughtfulness is disclosed in God's provision of the springs! He thinks for the wild asses and the fowls, and how much more will He care for you, O ye of little faith! [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 104

1  A meditation upon the mighty power
7  And wonderful providence of God
31  God's glory is eternal
33  The prophet vows perpetually to praise God

What do the individual words in Psalms 104:6 mean?

With the deep as [with] a garment You covered it above the mountains stood the waters
תְּ֭הוֹם כַּלְּב֣וּשׁ כִּסִּית֑וֹ עַל־ הָ֝רִ֗ים יַֽעַמְדוּ־ מָֽיִם

תְּ֭הוֹם  With  the  deep 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: תְּהֹום  
Sense: deep, depths, deep places, abyss, the deep, sea.
כַּלְּב֣וּשׁ  as  [with]  a  garment 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: לָבוּשׁ 
Sense: clothing, garment, apparel, raiment.
כִּסִּית֑וֹ  You  covered  it 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Perfect, second person masculine singular, third person masculine singular
Root: כָּסָה  
Sense: to cover, conceal, hide.
עַל־  above 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
הָ֝רִ֗ים  the  mountains 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: הַר  
Sense: hill, mountain, hill country, mount.
יַֽעַמְדוּ־  stood 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: עָמַד  
Sense: to stand, remain, endure, take one’s stand.
מָֽיִם  the  waters 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.

What are the major concepts related to Psalms 104:6?

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