1 Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.
13 He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;
15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart.
16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
17 Where the birds make their nests: as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.
18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
25 So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
28 That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
1 Bless H1288 the LORD, H3068 O my soul. H5315 O LORD H3068 my God, H430 thou art very H3966 great; H1431 thou art clothed H3847 with honour H1935 and majesty. H1926
2 Who coverest H5844 thyself with light H216 as with a garment: H8008 who stretchest out H5186 the heavens H8064 like a curtain: H3407
3 Who layeth the beams H7136 of his chambers H5944 in the waters: H4325 who maketh H7760 the clouds H5645 his chariot: H7398 who walketh H1980 upon the wings H3671 of the wind: H7307
4 Who maketh H6213 his angels H4397 spirits; H7307 his ministers H8334 a flaming H3857 fire: H784
5 Who laid H3245 the foundations H4349 of the earth, H776 that it should not be removed H4131 for ever. H5769 H5703
6 Thou coveredst H3680 it with the deep H8415 as with a garment: H3830 the waters H4325 stood H5975 above the mountains. H2022
7 At H4480 thy rebuke H1606 they fled; H5127 at the voice H6963 of thy thunder H7482 they hasted H2648 away.
8 They go up H5927 by the mountains; H2022 they go down H3381 by the valleys H1237 unto the place H4725 which H2088 thou hast founded H3245 for them.
9 Thou hast set H7760 a bound H1366 that they may not pass over; H5674 that they turn not again H7725 to cover H3680 the earth. H776
10 He sendeth H7971 the springs H4599 into the valleys, H5158 which run H1980 among the hills. H2022
11 They give drink H8248 to every beast H2416 of the field: H7704 the wild asses H6501 quench H7665 their thirst. H6772
12 By them shall the fowls H5775 of the heaven H8064 have their habitation, H7931 which sing H5414 H6963 among H996 the branches. H6073
13 He watereth H8248 the hills H2022 from his chambers: H5944 the earth H776 is satisfied H7646 with the fruit H6529 of thy works. H4639
14 He causeth the grass H2682 to grow H6779 for the cattle, H929 and herb H6212 for the service H5656 of man: H120 that he may bring forth H3318 food H3899 out of the earth; H776
15 And wine H3196 that maketh glad H8055 the heart H3824 of man, H582 and oil H8081 to make his face H6440 to shine, H6670 and bread H3899 which strengtheneth H5582 man's H582 heart. H3824
16 The trees H6086 of the LORD H3068 are full H7646 of sap; the cedars H730 of Lebanon, H3844 which he hath planted; H5193
17 Where the birds H6833 make their nests: H7077 as for the stork, H2624 the fir trees H1265 are her house. H1004
18 The high H1364 hills H2022 are a refuge H4268 for the wild goats; H3277 and the rocks H5553 for the conies. H8227
19 He appointed H6213 the moon H3394 for seasons: H4150 the sun H8121 knoweth H3045 his going down. H3996
20 Thou makest H7896 darkness, H2822 and it is night: H3915 wherein all the beasts H2416 of the forest H3293 do creep H7430 forth.
21 The young lions H3715 roar H7580 after their prey, H2964 and seek H1245 their meat H400 from God. H410
22 The sun H8121 ariseth, H2224 they gather themselves together, H622 and lay them down H7257 in their dens. H4585
23 Man H120 goeth forth H3318 unto his work H6467 and to his labour H5656 until the evening. H6153
24 O LORD, H3068 how manifold H7231 are thy works! H4639 in wisdom H2451 hast thou made H6213 them all: the earth H776 is full H4390 of thy riches. H7075
25 So is this great H1419 and wide H7342 H3027 sea, H3220 wherein are things creeping H7431 innumerable, H4557 both small H6996 and great H1419 beasts. H2416
26 There go H1980 the ships: H591 there is that leviathan, H3882 whom thou hast made H3335 to play H7832 therein.
27 These wait H7663 all upon thee; that thou mayest give H5414 them their meat H400 in due season. H6256
28 That thou givest H5414 them they gather: H3950 thou openest H6605 thine hand, H3027 they are filled H7646 with good. H2896
29 Thou hidest H5641 thy face, H6440 they are troubled: H926 thou takest away H622 their breath, H7307 they die, H1478 and return H7725 to their dust. H6083
30 Thou sendest H7971 forth thy spirit, H7307 they are created: H1254 and thou renewest H2318 the face H6440 of the earth. H127
31 The glory H3519 of the LORD H3068 shall endure for ever: H5769 the LORD H3068 shall rejoice H8055 in his works. H4639
32 He looketh H5027 on the earth, H776 and it trembleth: H7460 he toucheth H5060 the hills, H2022 and they smoke. H6225
33 I will sing H7891 unto the LORD H3068 as long as I live: H2416 I will sing H2167 praise to my God H430 while I have my being. H5750
34 My meditation H7879 of him shall be sweet: H6149 I will be glad H8055 in the LORD. H3068
35 Let the sinners H2400 be consumed H8552 out of the earth, H776 and let the wicked H7563 be no more. Bless H1288 thou the LORD, H3068 O my soul. H5315 Praise H1984 ye the LORD. H3050
1 Bless Jehovah, O my soul. O Jehovah my God, thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honor and majesty:
2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;
3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds his chariot; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind;
4 Who maketh winds his messengers; Flames of fire his ministers;
5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be moved for ever.
6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a vesture; The waters stood above the mountains.
7 At thy rebuke they fled; At the voice of thy thunder they hasted away
8 (The mountains rose, the valleys sank down) Unto the place which thou hadst founded for them.
9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; That they turn not again to cover the earth.
10 He sendeth forth springs into the valleys; They run among the mountains;
11 They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild asses quench their thirst.
12 By them the birds of the heavens have their habitation; They sing among the branches.
13 He watereth the mountains from his chambers: The earth is filled with the fruit of thy works.
14 He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, And herb for the service of man; That he may bring forth food out of the earth,
15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, `And' oil to make his face to shine, And bread that strengtheneth man's heart.
16 The trees of Jehovah are filled `with moisture', The cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
17 Where the birds make their nests: As for the stork, the fir-trees are her house.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; The rocks are a refuge for the conies.
19 He appointed the moon for seasons: The sun knoweth his going down.
20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night, Wherein all the beasts of the forest creep forth.
21 The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God.
22 The sun ariseth, they get them away, And lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goeth forth unto his work And to his labor until the evening.
24 O Jehovah, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: The earth is full of thy riches.
25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, Wherein are things creeping innumerable, Both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships; There is leviathan, whom thou hast formed to play therein.
27 These wait all for thee, That thou mayest give them their food in due season.
28 Thou givest unto them, they gather; Thou openest thy hand, they are satisfied with good.
29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; Thou takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust.
30 Thou sendest forth thy Spirit, they are created; And thou renewest the face of the ground.
31 Let the glory of Jehovah endure for ever; Let Jehovah rejoice in his works:
32 Who looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; He toucheth the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing unto Jehovah as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.
34 Let thy meditation be sweet unto him: I will rejoice in Jehovah.
35 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth. And let the wicked be no more. Bless Jehovah, O my soul. Praise ye Jehovah.
1 Bless, O my soul, Jehovah! Jehovah, my God, Thou hast been very great, Honour and majesty Thou hast put on.
2 Covering himself `with' light as a garment, Stretching out the heavens as a curtain,
3 Who is laying the beam of His upper chambers in the waters, Who is making thick clouds His chariot, Who is walking on wings of wind,
4 Making His messengers -- the winds, His ministers -- the flaming fire.
5 He hath founded earth on its bases, It is not moved to the age and for ever.
6 The abyss! as with clothing Thou hast covered it, Above hills do waters stand.
7 From Thy rebuke they flee, From the voice of Thy thunder haste away.
8 They go up hills -- they go down valleys, Unto a place Thou hast founded for them.
9 A border Thou hast set, they pass not over, They turn not back to cover the earth.
10 Who is sending forth fountains in valleys, Between hills they go on.
11 They water every beast of the field, Wild asses break their thirst.
12 By them the fowl of the heavens doth dwell, From between the branches They give forth the voice.
13 Watering hills from His upper chambers, From the fruit of Thy works is the earth satisfied.
14 Causing grass to spring up for cattle, And herb for the service of man, To bring forth bread from the earth,
15 And wine -- it rejoiceth the heart of man, To cause the face to shine from oil, And bread -- the heart of man it supporteth.
16 Satisfied `are' the trees of Jehovah, Cedars of Lebanon that He hath planted,
17 Where birds do make nests, The stork -- the firs `are' her house.
18 The high hills `are' for wild goats, Rocks `are' a refuge for conies,
19 He made the moon for seasons, The sun hath known his place of entrance.
20 Thou settest darkness, and it is night, In it doth every beast of the forest creep.
21 The young lions are roaring for prey, And to seek from God their food.
22 The sun riseth, they are gathered, And in their dens they crouch.
23 Man goeth forth to his work, And to his service -- till evening.
24 How many have been Thy works, O Jehovah, All of them in wisdom Thou hast made, Full is the earth of thy possessions.
25 This, the sea, great and broad of sides, There `are' moving things -- innumerable, Living creatures -- small with great.
26 There do ships go: leviathan, That Thou hast formed to play in it.
27 All of them unto Thee do look, To give their food in its season.
28 Thou dost give to them -- they gather, Thou dost open Thy hand -- they `are' satisfied `with' good.
29 Thou hidest Thy face -- they are troubled, Thou gatherest their spirit -- they expire, And unto their dust they turn back.
30 Thou sendest out Thy Spirit, they are created, And Thou renewest the face of the ground.
31 The honour of Jehovah is to the age, Jehovah rejoiceth in His works,
32 Who is looking to earth, and it trembleth, He cometh against hills, and they smoke.
33 I sing to Jehovah during my life, I sing praise to my God while I exist.
34 Sweet is my meditation on Him, I -- I do rejoice in Jehovah.
35 Consumed are sinners from the earth, And the wicked are no more. Bless, O my soul, Jehovah. Praise ye Jehovah!
1 Bless Jehovah, O my soul! Jehovah my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with majesty and splendour;
2 Covering thyself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent-curtain; --
3 Who layeth the beams of his upper chambers in the waters, who maketh clouds his chariot, who walketh upon the wings of the wind;
4 Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flame of fire.
5 He laid the earth upon its foundations: it shall not be removed for ever.
6 Thou hadst covered it with the deep, as with a vesture; the waters stood above the mountains:
7 At thy rebuke they fled, at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away; --
8 The mountains rose, the valleys sank, unto the place which thou hadst founded for them; --
9 Thou hast set a bound which they may not pass over, that they turn not again to cover the earth.
10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys: they run among the mountains;
11 They give drink to every beast of the field; the wild asses quench their thirst.
12 The birds of heaven dwell by them; they give forth their voice from among the branches.
13 He watereth the mountains from his upper-chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
14 He maketh the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man; bringing forth bread out of the earth,
15 And wine which gladdeneth the heart of man; making [his] face shine with oil; and with bread he strengtheneth man's heart.
16 The trees of Jehovah are satisfied, the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted,
17 Where the birds make their nests; [as for] the stork, the fir trees are her house.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats; the cliffs, a refuge for the rock-badgers.
19 He made the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth its going down.
20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night, wherein all the beasts of the forest creep forth:
21 The young lions roar after the prey, and to seek their food from ùGod.
22 The sun ariseth, they retreat, and lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goeth forth unto his work, and to his labour until the evening.
24 How manifold are thy works, O Jehovah! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
25 Yonder is the great and wide sea: therein are moving things innumerable, living creatures small and great.
26 There go the ships; [there] that leviathan, which thou hast formed to play therein.
27 These all look unto thee, that thou mayest give their food in its season:
28 That thou givest unto them, they gather; thou openest thy hand, they are filled with good.
29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; thou takest away their breath, they expire and return to their dust.
30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created, and thou renewest the face of the earth.
31 The glory of Jehovah will endure for ever; Jehovah will rejoice in his works.
32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; he toucheth the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing unto Jehovah as long as I live; I will sing psalms to my God while I have my being.
34 My meditation shall be pleasant unto him; I will rejoice in Jehovah.
35 Sinners shall be consumed out of the earth, and the wicked shall be no more. Bless Jehovah, O my soul. Hallelujah!
1 Bless Yahweh, my soul. Yahweh, my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty.
2 He covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain.
3 He lays the beams of his chambers in the waters. He makes the clouds his chariot. He walks on the wings of the wind.
4 He makes his messengers{or, angels} winds; His servants flames of fire.
5 He laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be moved forever.
6 You covered it with the deep as with a cloak. The waters stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke they fled. At the voice of your thunder they hurried away.
8 The mountains rose, The valleys sank down, To the place which you had assigned to them.
9 You have set a boundary that they may not pass over; That they don't turn again to cover the earth.
10 He sends forth springs into the valleys. They run among the mountains.
11 They give drink to every animal of the field. The wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds of the sky nest by them. They sing among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from his chambers. The earth is filled with the fruit of your works.
14 He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And plants for man to cultivate, That he may bring forth food out of the earth:
15 Wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face to shine, And bread that strengthens man's heart.
16 Yahweh's trees are well watered, The cedars of Lebanon, which he has planted;
17 Where the birds make their nests. The stork makes its home in the fir trees.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats. The rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.
19 He appointed the moon for seasons. The sun knows when to set.
20 You make darkness, and it is night, In which all the animals of the forest prowl.
21 The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises, and they steal away, And lay down in their dens.
23 Man goes forth to his work, To his labor until the evening.
24 Yahweh, how many are your works! In wisdom have you made them all. The earth is full of your riches.
25 There is the sea, great and wide, In which are innumerable living things, Both small and large animals.
26 There the ships go, And leviathan, whom you formed to play there.
27 These all wait for you, That you may give them their food in due season.
28 You give to them; they gather. You open your hand; they are satisfied with good.
29 You hide your face: they are troubled; You take away their breath: they die, and return to the dust.
30 You send forth your Spirit: they are created. You renew the face of the ground.
31 Let the glory of Yahweh endure forever. Let Yahweh rejoice in his works.
32 He looks at the earth, and it trembles. He touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing to Yahweh as long as I live. I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.
34 Let your meditation be sweet to him. I will rejoice in Yahweh.
35 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth. Let the wicked be no more. Bless Yahweh, my soul. Praise Yah!
1 Give praise to the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you are robed with honour and power.
2 You are clothed with light as with a robe; stretching out the heavens like a curtain:
3 The arch of your house is based on the waters; you make the clouds your carriage; you go on the wings of the wind:
4 He makes winds his angels, and flames of fire his servants.
5 He has made the earth strong on its bases, so that it may not be moved for ever and ever;
6 Covering it with the sea as with a robe: the waters were high over the mountains;
7 At the voice of your word they went in flight; at the sound of your thunder they went away in fear;
8 The mountains came up and the valleys went down into the place which you had made ready for them.
9 You made a limit over which they might not go, so that the earth would never again be covered by them.
10 You sent the springs into the valleys; they are flowing between the hills.
11 They give drink to every beast of the field; the mountain asses come to them for water.
12 The birds of the air have their resting-places by them, and make their song among the branches.
13 He sends down rain from his store-houses on the hills: the earth is full of the fruit of his works.
14 He makes the grass come up for the cattle, and plants for the use of man; so that bread may come out of the earth;
15 And wine to make glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face shining, and bread giving strength to his heart.
16 The trees of the Lord are full of growth, the cedars of Lebanon of his planting;
17 Where the birds have their resting-places; as for the stork, the tall trees are her house.
18 The high hills are a safe place for the mountain goats, and the rocks for the small beasts.
19 He made the moon for a sign of the divisions of the year; teaching the sun the time of its going down.
20 When you make it dark, it is night, when all the beasts of the woods come quietly out of their secret places.
21 The young lions go thundering after their food; searching for their meat from God.
22 The sun comes up, and they come together, and go back to their secret places to take their rest.
23 Man goes out to his work, and to his business, till the evening.
24 O Lord, how great is the number of your works! in wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of the things you have made.
25 There is the great, wide sea, where there are living things, great and small, more than may be numbered.
26 There go the ships; there is that great beast, which you have made as a plaything.
27 All of them are waiting for you, to give them their food in its time.
28 They take what you give them; they are full of the good things which come from your open hand.
29 If your face is veiled, they are troubled; when you take away their breath, they come to an end, and go back to the dust.
30 If you send out your spirit, they are given life; you make new the face of the earth.
31 Let the glory of the Lord be for ever; let the Lord have joy in his works:
32 At whose look the earth is shaking; at whose touch the mountains send out smoke.
33 I will make songs to the Lord all my life; I will make melody to my God while I have my being.
34 Let my thoughts be sweet to him: I will be glad in the Lord.
35 Let sinners be cut off from the earth, and let all evil-doers come to an end. Give praise to the Lord, O my soul. Give praise to the Lord.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 104
Commentary on Psalms 104 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 104
Ps 104:1-35. The Psalmist celebrates God's glory in His works of creation and providence, teaching the dependence of all living creatures; and contrasting the happiness of those who praise Him with the awful end of the wicked.
1. God's essential glory, and also that displayed by His mighty works, afford ground for praise.
2. light—is a figurative representation of the glory of the invisible God (Mt 17:2; 1Ti 6:16). Its use in this connection may refer to the first work of creation (Ge 1:3).
stretchest out the heavens—the visible heavens or sky which cover the earth as a curtain (Isa 40:12).
3. in the waters—or, it may be "with"; using this fluid for the beams, or frames, of His residence accords with the figure of clouds for chariots, and wind as a means of conveyance.
walketh—or, "moveth" (compare Ps 18:10, 11; Am 9:6).
4. This is quoted by Paul (Heb 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—(Ps 105:32) being here so called.
5. The earth is firmly fixed by His power.
6-9. These verses rather describe the wonders of the flood than the creation (Ge 7:19, 20; 2Pe 3:5, 6). God's method of arresting the flood and making its waters subside is poetically called a "rebuke" (Ps 76:6; Isa 50:2), and the process of the flood's subsiding by undulations among the hills and valleys is vividly described.
10-13. Once destructive, these waters are subjected to the service of God's creatures. In rain and dew from His chambers (compare Ps 104:3), and fountains and streams, they give drink to thirsting animals and fertilize the soil. Trees thus nourished supply homes to singing birds, and the earth teems with the productions of God's wise agencies,
14, 15. so that men and beasts are abundantly provided with food.
for the service—literally, "for the culture," &c., by which he secures the results.
oil … shine—literally, "makes his face to shine more than oil," that is, so cheers and invigorates him, that outwardly he appears better than if anointed.
strengtheneth … heart—gives vigor to man (compare Jud 19:5).
16-19. God's care of even wild animals and uncultivated parts of the earth.
20-23. He provides and adapts to man's wants the appointed times and seasons.
24-26. From a view of the earth thus full of God's blessings, the writer passes to the sea, which, in its immensity, and as a scene and means of man's activity in commerce, and the home of countless multitudes of creatures, also displays divine power and beneficence. The mention of
26. leviathan—(Job 40:20) heightens the estimate of the sea's greatness, and of His power who gives such a place for sport to one of His creatures.
27-30. The entire dependence of this immense family on God is set forth. With Him, to kill or make alive is equally easy. To hide His face is to withdraw favor (Ps 13:1). By His spirit, or breath, or mere word, He gives life. It is His constant providence which repairs the wastes of time and disease.
31-34. While God could equally glorify His power in destruction, that He does it in preservation is of His rich goodness and mercy, so that we may well spend our lives in grateful praise, honoring to Him, and delightful to pious hearts (Ps 147:1).
35. Those who refuse such a protector and withhold such a service mar the beauty of His works, and must perish from His presence.
Praise ye the Lord—The Psalm closes with an invocation of praise, the translation of a Hebrew phrase, which is used as an English word, "Hallelujah," and may have served the purpose of a chorus, as often in our psalmody, or to give fuller expression to the writer's emotions. It is peculiar to Psalms composed after the captivity, as "Selah" is to those of an earlier date.