Psalms 103 and 104
The word “mercy” means kindness to one who does not deserve kindness, or to one in trouble. We might help such a one for a short time, but this psalm tells how long God shows mercy:
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high. above the earth, so great is His mercy tard them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He roved our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth His children so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him.” Psalm 103:10-13.
We cannot measure how far it is from the earth to the sky, or from “the east to the west”, neither can we measure God’s mercy, and it is forever. He has now shown His mercy in sending His Son to bear the sins for all who will receive Him. The next psalm has many beautiful “word pictures”, the heavens, or sky, are spoken of as a “curtain”; the clouds as a “chariot”, which we know does not mean what is drawn by horses, but God uses the clouds as though to carry, as chariots; for when the Lord Jesus returned to heaven, “a cloud received Him,” and, “Behold He cometh with clouds:” Acts 1:9, Rev. 1:7.
The waters once covered the earth as “a garment”. Notice how God knew the needs of all; it says the streams among the hills give drink to the wild beasts, and also make a place for the trees to grow, that the birds may have homes and rest among the branches; the birds could not fly and fly, without a place to rest. He gave grass for the animal’s food, and plants for people; and even more than just the necessary food, He gave the fruits for “wine”, to enjoy, but which people misuse, for if much used, of fermented it causes sorrow instead of joy, as other scriptures warn (Pro. 20:1; 23:29-32.)
Perhaps you have heard how Indians and other men in wild places keep count, of the months by the moon, for God has given the moon its exact time, as He has also the sun. The wild beasts like best to roam at night but the daytime was given for man.
“O Lord how manifold (many) an Thy works! in wisdom Thou past mad, them all: the earth is full of Thy riches. So is this great and wide sea.” Psalm 104:24, 25.
Men sail ships on the sea, and creatures small and large live in it, so God provides for all.
Why do not the waters now cover tile earth? (Psalm 104:9).
What bird has its home in the fir tree? (Psalm 104:17).
What little animals have their homes in the rocks? (Psalm 104:18).
When the sun is high where do the lions and other wild beasts go? (Psalm 104:22).