Psalm 104:9

Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(9) A bound.—It is striking to observe what a deep impression their little line of coast, the barrier which beat off the waves of the Mediterranean, made on the Hebrew mind. The sea was an object of dread. Or if dread passes into reverent wonder, as in Psalm 104:25-26, it ends there; the Jew never took delight in the sea. Hence, the coast has for him only one purpose and suggestion. It is not for enjoyment or recreation, or even for uses of commerce. It is simply the defence set by God against the hostile waters.

Benson Commentary

Psalm 104:9. Thou hast set a bound — Even the sand of the sea-shore, as is expressed Jeremiah 5:22. Which, though in itself contemptible, and a very poor defence to the earth against that swelling and raging element, yet, by God’s almighty power and gracious providence, is made sufficient for that purpose, as the experience of five thousand years hath taught us. That they turn not again to cover the earth — Once indeed they did, namely, in Noah’s flood, because God commanded them so to do; but not since, because he prohibits them, having promised not to drown the world again. God himself glories in this instance of his power, and uses it as an argument with us to fear him, Job 38:8, &c.; Jeremiah 5:22. And surely this, if duly considered, would keep the world in awe of God and his goodness, that the waters of the sea would soon cover the earth if God did not restrain them.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

104:1-9 Every object we behold calls on us to bless and praise the Lord, who is great. His eternal power and Godhead are clearly shown by the things which he hath made. God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. The Lord Jesus, the Son of his love, is the Light of the world.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over - See Job 26:10, note; Job 38:10-11, note.

That they turn not again to cover the earth - As it was before the dry land appeared; or as the earth was when "darkness was upon the face of the deep" Genesis 1:2, and when all was mingled earth and water. It is "possible" that in connection with this, the psalmist may also have had his eye on the facts connected with the deluge in the time of Noah, and the promise then made that the world should no more be destroyed by a flood, Genesis 9:11, Genesis 9:15.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

A bound; even the sand of the sea-shore, as it is expressed, Jeremiah 5:22, which, though in itself contemptible, and a very poor defence to the earth against that swelling and raging element, yet by God’s almighty power and gracious providence is made sufficient for that purpose; which is noted as a wonderful work of God, Job 38:8, &c.

The earth, to wit, the whole earth, as it did in the beginning of the creation. This was God’s appointment, and the course of nature settled by him. But when men transgressed their bounds, all the laws of God and men, it is not strange if the waters also transgressed their bounds, and once again overwhelmed the earth in the general deluge.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Thou hast set a bound, that they may not pass over,.... The Targum adds,

"to the rolling waves of the sea.''

Set doors with bolts and bars, cliffs, rocks, and shores: and, what is more surprising, sand, which is penetrable, flexible, and moveable, is set as a perpetual bound to the raging ocean and its waves, which they cannot pass over: see Job 38:8. So the Lord has set a bound to the proud waters of afflictions, and says, Thus far shall ye go, and no farther; and to the life of man, which he cannot exceed, Job 14:5. But he has given man a law, as a rule to walk by, as the boundary of his conversation, and this he transgresses; in which he is less tractable than the raging sea and its waves. That they turn not again to cover the earth; as they did when it was first made, Psalm 104:6 that is, not without the divine leave and power; for they did turn again and cover the earth, at the time of the flood; but never shall more. Some think there is no need to make this exception; since this was written after the flood, and when God had swore that the waters should no more go over the earth, Isaiah 54:9.

Geneva Study Bible

Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

9. The reference is not to the Flood, but to the original separation of land and water confirmed after the Flood (Genesis 9:9 ff.). Cp. Job 38:10-11; Proverbs 8:29.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - Thou hast set (or, didst set) a bound that they may not (rather, might not) pass over (comp. Job 38:10, 11; Jeremiah 5:22). The Deluge is for the time beyond the ken of the poet, who is singing God's greatness in nature, and in the general laws under which he has placed it. Neither turn again to cover the earth. This law, once Broken by the miracle of the Deluge, was thenceforth made absolute and inviolable (Genesis 9:15). Psalm 104:9

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Psalm 104:8 continues with the words אל־מקום (cf. Genesis 1:9, אחד אל־מקום): the waters retreat to the place which (זה, cf. Psalm 104:26, for אשׁר, Genesis 39:20) God has assigned to them as that which should contain them. He hath set a bound (גּבוּל, synon. חק, Proverbs 8:29; Jeremiah 5:22) for them beyond which they may not flow forth again to cover the earth, as the primordial waters of chaos have done.