Psalms 104 · Verse 2

Psalms 104:2

Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
Psalms 104:2, King James Version

Psalms 104:2 in other translations

BSBHe wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent,
WEBHe covers himself with light as with a garment. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain.
ASVWho coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;
YLTCovering himself with light as a garment, Stretching out the heavens as a curtain,
DARBYCovering thyself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent-curtain; —
BBEYou are clothed with light as with a robe; stretching out the heavens like a curtain:
WebsterWho coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

What does Psalms 104:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. light--is a figurative representation of the glory of the invisible God (Mt 17:2; 1Ti 6:16). Its use in this connection may refer to the first work of creation (Ge 1:3). stretchest out the heavens--the visible heavens or sky which cover the earth as a curtain (Is 40:12).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 2 Who coverest thyself with light - Light, insufferable splendor, is the robe of the Divine Majesty. Light and fire are generally the accompaniments of the Supreme Being, when he manifests his presence to his creatures. He appeared thus to Abraham when he made a covenant with him, Gen 15:17; and to Moses when he appointed him to bring the people out of Egypt, Exo 3:2; and when he gave him his law on Sinai, Exo 19:18. Moses calls God a consuming fire, Deu 4:24. When Christ was transfigured on the mount, his face shone like the sun, and his garment was white as the light, Mat 17:2. And when the Lord manifests himself to the prophets, he is always surrounded with fire, and the most brilliant light. Bishop Lowth has some fine remarks on the imagery and metaphors of this Psalm. The exordium, says he, is peculiarly magnificent, wherein the majesty of God is described, so far as we can investigate and comprehend it, from the admirable construction of nature; in which passage, as it was for the most part necessary to use translatitious images, the sacred poet has principally applied those which would be esteemed by the Hebrews the most elevated, and worthy such an argument; for they all, as it seems to me, are taken from the tabernacle. We will give these passages verbally, with a short illustration: - הוד והדר לבשת hod vehadar labashta. "Thou hast put on honor and majesty." The original, לבשת, is frequently used when speaking of the clothing or dress of the priests. Psa 104:2 עטה אור כשלמה oteh or cassalmah. "Covering thyself with light as with a garment." A manifest symbol of the Divine Presence; the light conspicuous in the holiest is pointed out under the same idea; and from this single example a simile is educed to express the ineffable glory of God generally and universally. נוטה שמים כיריעה noteh shamayim kayeriah. "Stretching out the heavens like a curtain." The word יריעה, rendered here curtain, is that which denotes the curtains or uncovering of the whole tabernacle. This may also be an allusion to those curtains or awnings, stretched over an area, under which companies sit at weddings, feasts, religious festivals, curiously painted under, to give them the appearance of the visible heavens in the night-season.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Psalms 104:1-9

Chapter Outline God's majesty in the heavens, The creation of the sea, and the dry land. (1-9) His provision for all creatures. (10-18) The regular course of day and night, and God's sovereign power over all the creatures. (19-30) A resolution to continue praising God. (31-35) Verses 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…

Read the full comment on Psalms 104:1-9 →

Psalms 104:2 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

עֹֽטֶה\־'o.teh-[you are] wrapping yourselfH5844
א֭וֹר'orlightH216
כַּשַּׂלְמָ֑הka.sal.Mahlike <the> garmentH8008
נוֹטֶ֥הno.Teh[you are] stretching outH5186
שָׁ֝מַ֗יִםSha.Ma.yim[the] heavensH8064
כַּיְרִיעָֽה\׃kay.ri.'Ahlike <the> tent curtainH3407

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Psalms 104:2

  • Isaiah 40:22

    It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

  • Isaiah 45:12

    I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.

  • Daniel 7:9

    I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

  • 1 John 1:5

    This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

  • Zechariah 12:1

    The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

  • Matthew 17:2

    And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

  • 1 Timothy 6:16

    Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

  • Hebrews 1:10-12

    And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
with light.
Da 7:9; Mt 17:2; 1Ti 6:16; 1Jo 1:5
stretchest.
Isa 40:22; 45:12; Zec 12:1; Heb 1:10-12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Psalms 104:1

    Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

  • Psalms 104:2

    Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

  • Psalms 104:3

    Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

Read all of Psalms 104

Psalms 104:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que se cubre de luz como de vestidura, que extiende los cielos como una cortina;
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Il s’enveloppe de lumière comme d’un manteau; il étend les cieux comme une tenture.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Du, der in Licht sich hüllt wie in ein Gewand, der die Himmel ausspannt gleich einer Zeltdecke;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Cantate ei, et psallite ei; narrate omnia mirabilia ejus.