New International Version
Psalms 104:4
4He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.
Psalms 104:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
- English Standard Version (ESV)he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The winds are your messengers; flames of fire are your servants.
Context of Psalms 104:4
2The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent 3and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. 5He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. 6You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
Read all of Psalms 104Psalms 104:4 word by word
עֹשֶׂ֣ה מַלְאָכָ֣יו רוּח֑וֹת מְ֝שָׁרְתָ֗יו אֵ֣שׁ לֹהֵֽט׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 104:4
- Acts 23:8(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)
- Hebrews 1:7In speaking of the angels he says, “He makes his angels spirits, and his servants flames of fire.”
- 2 Kings 2:11As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.
- 2 Kings 6:17And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
- Ezekiel 1:13The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it.
Commentaries on Psalms 104:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4רחות מלאכיו עשה oseh rnalachaiv ruchoth, להט אש משרתיו mesharethaiv esh lohet . The elements are described as prompt and expedite to perform the Divine commands, like angels or ministers serving in the tabernacle; the Hebrew word משרתיו mesharethaiv being a word most common in the sacred ministrations.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Who maketh his angels spirits - The meaning here literally would be, “Who makes the winds his messengers,” or “his angels;” that is, who employs them to execute his purpose; who sends them out as messengers or angels to do his will. His ministers a flaming fire - That is, Fire is employed by him - in lightnings - to accomplish his purpose as his ministers or his servants. They are entirely under his command. They are sent by him to do his will; to carry…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4Wind and lightning (flames of fire) are described as God’s messengers. The Lord controls the wind, rain, and storms and uses them as he desires (Psalm 77:17–18; 78:26; 135:7; 148:5–6). The psalmist refers to the third day of creation (Genesis 1:9–13). The Lord is master of water and earth.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. This is quoted by Paul (He 1:7) to denote the subordinate position of angels; that is, they are only messengers as other and material agencies. spirits--literally, "winds." flaming fire--(Psa 105:32) being here so called.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 104:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 104
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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