The Bible Says
Psalm 104:24-26 Meaning

When the psalmist exclaims O LORD, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; The earth is full of Your possessions (v. 24), he draws attention to the overwhelming abundance of God’s creation. This line celebrates God as the skilled Builder and Designer, whose wisdom directs everything that exists. The word works includes everything from the smallest detail in nature to the grandest mountain peaks, all serving as a sign of the Creator’s power and wisdom. It reminds the reader to look at the complex beauty of the universe and marvel at how each part fits into a divine purpose.

The phrase how many indicates a sense of awe. An innumerable number of created things fill the world, whether they are visible or microscopic. From the vantage point of ancient Israel, the writer particularly thought of the land in which he lived — an area that included diverse terrains, from the rolling countryside to lush valleys and distant mountains. Although not explicitly naming a specific region in this verse, the author likely had in mind the land around Palestine, known for its varied landscapes and evidence of God’s sustaining hand.

Moreover, this praise of the Creator resonates with the New Testament focus on Jesus as the One through whom all things were made (John 1:3). God’s plan extends from the moment He spoke the universe into existence to His ongoing involvement in every creature’s life. Meditating on this verse reminds us not only of God’s original design but also of His continuing care for His creation in every era.

Meanwhile, the psalmist draws attention to another part of God’s creation, proclaiming There is the sea, great and broad, In which are swarms without number, Animals both small and great (v. 25). In the geography of the ancient Near East, the Mediterranean Sea was often viewed as a vast and sometimes mysterious realm. The description of swarms without number testifies to the immeasurable life found beneath the waves, a realm the people of biblical times often perceived as unpredictable and dangerous.

By calling the sea great and broad, the psalmist emphasizes the immensity of God’s creative power. The bodies of water were used as routes of commerce, travel, and trade, but they also symbolized chaos for many ancient peoples. Here, Scripture subtly underlines that even what humans label as chaotic or fearsome remains under the sovereign hand of God, who populates the ocean with innumerable living creatures.

This verse also points to the diversity of life in the seas, from tiny plankton to immense whales and everything in between. In the New Testament, Jesus similarly demonstrated His authority over the sea, calming storms (Mark 4:39) and walking on the water (Matthew 14:25). These actions remind us that the God who made the sea remains sovereign over it, a truth that inspires both reverence and peace in believers today.

Next, the psalm continues, There the ships move along, And Leviathan, which You have formed to sport in it (v. 26). Ships represent human ingenuity and industry passing over the ocean’s surface, demonstrating that even human efforts have their place in this grand tapestry of God’s design. The mention of Leviathan, which appears in other biblical passages such as Job 41, suggests a formidable sea creature often associated with mystery and power in the ancient world.

Leviathan has been interpreted in different ways, but it generally symbolizes the immense and awe-inspiring creatures of the deep. By stating that God formed Leviathan to sport in it, the verse underscores that this creature, no matter how intimidating, is simply another plaything within the mighty domain of God. All living things, including those perceived as monstrous or fearsome, remain subject to the Creator’s purpose.

In the historical timeline of the Hebrew Scriptures, references to Leviathan date back to some of the earliest Old Testament writings, reflecting a worldview in which the power of the sea was humbling. Here, the psalmist once again praises the Lord for His sovereign artistry and joyful interaction with His creation, illustrating that God delights in what He has made and that all realms — land and sea — proclaim His glory.