Psalm 104:14
New International Version
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth:

New Living Translation
You cause grass to grow for the livestock and plants for people to use. You allow them to produce food from the earth—

English Standard Version
You cause the grass to grow for the livestock and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food from the earth

Berean Standard Bible
He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth:

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth,

New American Standard Bible
He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of mankind, So that they may produce food from the earth,

NASB 1995
He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth,

NASB 1977
He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the labor of man, So that he may bring forth food from the earth,

Legacy Standard Bible
He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for man’s cultivation, To bring forth food from the earth,

Amplified Bible
He causes grass to grow for the cattle, And all that the earth produces for cultivation by man, So that he may bring food from the earth—

Christian Standard Bible
He causes grass to grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, producing food from the earth,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He causes grass to grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, producing food from the earth,

American Standard Version
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,

Contemporary English Version
You let the earth produce grass for cattle, plants for our food,

English Revised Version
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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You make grass grow for cattle and make vegetables for humans to use in order to get food from the ground.

Good News Translation
You make grass grow for the cattle and plants for us to use, so that we can grow our crops

International Standard Version
He causes grass to sprout for the cattle and plants for people to cultivate, to produce food from the land,

Majority Standard Bible
He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth:

NET Bible
He provides grass for the cattle, and crops for people to cultivate, so they can produce food from the ground,

New Heart English Bible
He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may bring forth food out of the earth:

Webster's Bible Translation
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;

World English Bible
He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may produce food out of the earth:
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Causing grass to spring up for livestock, "" And herb for the service of man, "" To bring forth bread from the earth,

Young's Literal Translation
Causing grass to spring up for cattle, And herb for the service of man, To bring forth bread from the earth,

Smith's Literal Translation
Causing grass to spring up for the cattle, and the green herb for the service of man, to bring forth bread from the earth:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Bringing forth grass for cattle, and herb for the service of men. That thou mayst bring bread out of the earth:

Catholic Public Domain Version
producing grass for cattle and herbs for the service of men. So may you draw bread from the earth,

New American Bible
You make the grass grow for the cattle and plants for people’s work to bring forth food from the earth,

New Revised Standard Version
You cause the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to use, to bring forth food from the earth,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herbs for the service of man, that he may bring forth food out of the earth,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He makes grass to sprout for the beasts and green plants for the service of man to bring forth bread from the Earth.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Who causeth the grass to spring up for the cattle, And herb for the service of man; To bring forth bread out of the earth,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He makes grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men, to bring bread out of the earth;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
How Many Are Your Works, O LORD!
13He waters the mountains from His chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of His works. 14He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: 15wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart.…

Cross References
Genesis 1:11-12
Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants and fruit trees, each bearing fruit with seed according to its kind.” And it was so. / The earth produced vegetation: seed-bearing plants according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:29-30
Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food. / And to every beast of the earth and every bird of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth—everything that has the breath of life in it—I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Genesis 3:17-19
And to Adam He said: “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat, cursed is the ground because of you; through toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. / Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. / By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground—because out of it were you taken. For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

Deuteronomy 11:14-15
then I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn and spring rains, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil. / And I will provide grass in the fields for your livestock, and you will eat and be satisfied.

Job 5:10-11
He gives rain to the earth and sends water upon the fields. / He sets the lowly on high, so that mourners are lifted to safety.

Job 38:26-27
to bring rain on a barren land, on a desert where no man lives, / to satisfy the parched wasteland and make it sprout with tender grass?

Psalm 65:9-13
You attend to the earth and water it; with abundance You enrich it. The streams of God are full of water, for You prepare our grain by providing for the earth. / You soak its furrows and level its ridges; You soften it with showers and bless its growth. / You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your paths overflow with plenty. ...

Psalm 147:8-9
who covers the sky with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the hills. / He provides food for the animals, and for the young ravens when they call.

Isaiah 55:10
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat,

Jeremiah 5:24
They have not said in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God, who gives the rains, both autumn and spring, in season, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of harvest.’

Matthew 6:26-30
Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? / Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? / And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. ...

Matthew 13:31-32
He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his field. / Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.

Luke 12:24-28
Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storehouse or barn; yet God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds! / Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? / So if you cannot do such a small thing, why do you worry about the rest? ...

Acts 14:17
Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”


Treasury of Scripture

He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth;

causeth

Psalm 145:15,16
The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season…

Psalm 147:8,9
Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains…

Genesis 1:11,12,29
And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so…

herb

Genesis 1:29
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

Genesis 2:9
And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

Genesis 3:18
Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

that he

Psalm 136:25
Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Genesis 4:12
When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.

Job 28:5
As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.

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Psalm 104
1. A meditation upon the mighty power
7. And wonderful providence of God
31. God's glory is eternal
33. The prophet vows perpetually to praise God














He makes the grass grow
This phrase highlights God's providential care and sovereignty over creation. The Hebrew word for "grass" is "עֵשֶׂב" (esev), which refers to all kinds of vegetation, particularly those that are used for food by animals. The act of making grass grow signifies God's ongoing involvement in sustaining life on earth. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where agriculture was central to survival, this phrase would have been a powerful reminder of God's provision and the natural order He established. It underscores the belief that God is not a distant creator but actively nurtures His creation.

for the livestock
The Hebrew term for "livestock" is "בְּהֵמָה" (behemah), which encompasses domesticated animals that were crucial for agrarian societies. Livestock provided food, clothing, and labor, making them essential for daily life. This phrase emphasizes God's care not only for humans but for all living creatures. It reflects the biblical theme of stewardship, where humans are entrusted with the care of animals, recognizing that their well-being is part of God's divine plan. This provision for livestock also illustrates the interconnectedness of creation, where each element supports the other in a divinely orchestrated ecosystem.

and brings forth food
The phrase "brings forth" is derived from the Hebrew "יָצָא" (yatsa), meaning to go out or come forth. This verb conveys the idea of God causing the earth to produce sustenance. The concept of food here is broader than mere physical nourishment; it represents God's abundant provision for all needs. In a historical context, where food security was a constant concern, this assurance of divine provision would have been a source of comfort and gratitude. It reminds believers that God is the ultimate provider, and all sustenance is a gift from His hand.

from the earth
The Hebrew word for "earth" is "אֶרֶץ" (eretz), which can mean land, ground, or the entire earth. This term connects the physical creation with God's creative power. The earth is portrayed as a source of life, yielding food through God's command. This reflects the Genesis account of creation, where God formed the earth and filled it with life. It serves as a reminder of humanity's dependence on the earth and, by extension, on God who sustains it. The earth's ability to produce food is a testament to God's wisdom and the intricate design of His creation.

(14) For the service of man--i.e., for his use (so Gesenius). But some deny this meaning to the Hebrew, which properly means "labour" or "office." (In 1Chronicles 27:26; Nehemiah 10:37, it means "agriculture," "tillage.") Hence they render, "And herbs for man's labour in bringing them forth from the earth," alluding to his task of cultivating the soil. Standing by itself the clause would indeed naturally require this sense, but the parallelism is against it, and in 1Chronicles 26:30, "service of a king," we have a near approach to the meaning "use."

That he may.--Better, bringing food out of the earth, taking the verb as gerund instead of infinitive absolute.

Verse 14. - He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle. The results of God's careful arrangements are now spoken cf. In the first place, grass - fodder of every kind - is provided for the beasts on which man's life so greatly depends - a boon both to man and beast, of inestimable value. Next, there is brought forth herb for the service of man - i.e. for his direct service - vegetables and fruits for his food; spicy shrubs for his delectation; flax, papyrus, saffron, aloes, etc., for his use. That he may bring forth food out of the earth. That man himself may by his labour, by the cultivation of the natural products, obtain from the earth the food suitable to him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He makes the grass
חָצִ֨יר ׀ (ḥā·ṣîr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2682: Green grass, herbage

grow
מַצְמִ֤יחַ (maṣ·mî·aḥ)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6779: To sprout, spring up

for the livestock
לַבְּהֵמָ֗ה (lab·bə·hê·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

and provides crops
וְ֭עֵשֶׂב (wə·‘ê·śeḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6212: Herb, herbage

for man
הָאָדָ֑ם (hā·’ā·ḏām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

to cultivate,
לַעֲבֹדַ֣ת (la·‘ă·ḇō·ḏaṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5656: Work of any kind

bringing forth
לְה֥וֹצִיא (lə·hō·w·ṣî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

food
לֶ֝֗חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

from
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the earth:
הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Poetry: Psalm 104:14 He causes the grass to grow (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 104:13
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