O Bless the Lord, My Soul, O Bless the Lord
Psalm 104, with different refrains and some different verses, is also used at the Easter Vigil and Pentecost. Filled with water and creation and Spirit imagery, one can see why this psalm was selected to be part of these liturgical celebrations. A hymn of praise, it is filled with magnificent imagery: God robed in light, heaven spread like a tent, God traveling on clouds and opening hands and spilling food over the earth. All of creation is under God. Every moment each creature looks to God for its being. God’s breath is necessary for life. Take time and focus on these poetic images describing God with human traits, bringing God closer to us.
My God, how great you are, clothed in majesty and honor,
wrapped in light as with a robe! You stretch out the heavens like a tent.
On the waters you establish your dwelling.
You make the clouds your chariot; you ride on the wings of the wind.
You make the winds your messengers, flame and fire your servants.
How many are your works, O God! In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your creatures. Vast and wide is the span of the sea.
With its creeping things past counting, living things great and small.
All of these look to you to give them their food in due season.
You give it, they gather it up;
you open wide your hand, they are well filled.
You take away their breath, they die,
returning to the dust from which they came.
You send forth your spirit, and they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
[verses adapted from The Revised Grail Psalms, © 2010, Conception Abbey and The Grail, admin. By GIA Publications, Inc.]