Psalms 104:14
Psalms 104:14 in Multiple Translations
He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth:
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;
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,
He makes the grass come up for the cattle, and plants for the use of man; so that bread may come out of the earth;
You make the grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to eat—crops produced by the earth for food,
He causeth grasse to growe for the cattell, and herbe for the vse of man, that he may bring forth bread out of the earth,
Causing grass to spring up for cattle, And herb for the service of man, To bring forth bread from the earth,
He causes the grass to grow for the livestock, and plants for man to cultivate, that he may produce food out of the earth:
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;
He suffered no man to hurt them: and he reproved kings for their sakes.
You make/cause grass to grow for the cattle to eat, and you make/cause plants to grow for people. In that way animals and people get their food from what grows in the soil.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 104:14
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 104:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַצְמִ֤יחַ
חָצִ֨יר
לַ/בְּהֵמָ֗ה
וְ֭/עֵשֶׂב
לַ/עֲבֹדַ֣ת
הָ/אָדָ֑ם
לְ/ה֥וֹצִיא
לֶ֝֗חֶם
מִן
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
מַצְמִ֤יחַ
tsâmach
H6779
to spring
V-Hiphil
חָצִ֨יר
châtsîyr
H2682
grass
N-ms
לַ/בְּהֵמָ֗ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
Prep | N-fs
וְ֭/עֵשֶׂב
ʻeseb
H6212
vegetation
Conj | N-ms
לַ/עֲבֹדַ֣ת
ʻăbôdâh
H5656
service
Prep | N-fs
הָ/אָדָ֑ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
Art | N-ms
לְ/ה֥וֹצִיא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
לֶ֝֗חֶם
lechem
H3899
food
N-cs
מִן
min
H4480
from
Prep
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 104:14
מַצְמִ֤יחַ
tsâmach
H6779
"to spring"
V-Hiphil
To spring or grow is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can describe plants, hair, or even ideas. It's used to talk about new life or development, like a seed sprouting or a person's speech growing more fluent.
Definition: 1) to sprout, spring up, grow up 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to sprout, spring up 1a1a) of plants 1a1b) of hair 1a1c) of speech (fig.) 1b) (Piel) to grow abundantly or thickly 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to grow 1c2) to cause to sprout
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: bear, bring forth, (cause to, make to) bud (forth), (cause to, make to) grow (again, up), (cause to) spring (forth, up). See also: Genesis 2:5; Psalms 104:14; Psalms 85:12.
חָצִ֨יר
châtsîyr
H2682
"grass"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word can mean grass or a type of plant, like a leek. It appears in Numbers 5:18, describing a ritual involving holy water and a grain offering.
Definition: 1a) grass 1b) of the quickly perishing (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: grass, hay, herb, leek. See also: Numbers 11:5; Psalms 147:8; Psalms 37:2.
לַ/בְּהֵמָ֗ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
Prep | N-fs
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
וְ֭/עֵשֶׂב
ʻeseb
H6212
"vegetation"
Conj | N-ms
This Hebrew word means vegetation or grass, representing growth and new life. It is used in Genesis 1:11 to describe the creation of plants and in Psalm 23:2 to describe a peaceful landscape.
Definition: herb, herbage, grass, green plants Aramaic equivalent: a.sav (עֲשַׂב "grass" H6211B)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: grass, herb. See also: Genesis 1:11; Psalms 72:16; Psalms 92:8.
לַ/עֲבֹדַ֣ת
ʻăbôdâh
H5656
"service"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word means service or work, including serving God or others. It appears in various forms in the Bible, such as in Exodus and Deuteronomy, to describe labor or ministry.
Definition: : service[as_servant/slave] 1) labour, service 1a) labour, work 1b) labour (of servant or slave) 1c) labour, service (of captives or subjects) 1d) service (of God)
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: act, bondage, [phrase] bondservant, effect, labour, ministering(-try), office, service(-ile, -itude), tillage, use, work, [idiom] wrought. See also: Genesis 29:27; Numbers 18:6; Psalms 104:14.
הָ/אָדָ֑ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
Art | N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
לְ/ה֥וֹצִיא
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
לֶ֝֗חֶם
lechem
H3899
"food"
N-cs
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
מִן
min
H4480
"from"
Prep
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הָ/אָֽרֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
Study Notes — Psalms 104:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 104:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 104:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 104:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 104:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 104:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 104:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 104:14
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 104:14
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 104:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 104:14
- Sermons on Psalms 104:14
Context — How Many Are Your Works, O LORD!
12The birds of the air nest beside the springs; they sing among the branches.
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. 16The trees of the LORD have their fill, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted,Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 136:25 | He gives food to every creature. His loving devotion endures forever. |
| 2 | Job 28:5 | Food may come from the earth, but from below it is transformed as by fire. |
| 3 | Psalms 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. |
| 4 | Psalms 145:15–16 | The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. |
| 5 | Genesis 9:3 | Everything that lives and moves will be food for you; just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you all things. |
| 6 | Genesis 3:18 | Both thorns and thistles it will yield for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. |
| 7 | 1 Corinthians 3:7 | So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. |
| 8 | 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. |
| 9 | 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. |
| 10 | Job 38:27 | to satisfy the parched wasteland and make it sprout with tender grass? |
Psalms 104:14 Summary
This verse, Psalms 104:14, reminds us that God is the one who provides for all our needs, from the food we eat to the air we breathe. He makes grass grow for animals to eat and gives us crops to harvest, just like He provided manna for the Israelites in the wilderness, as seen in Exodus 16:4. God's care for the earth and all its creatures is a testament to His love and power, and we can trust Him to provide for us, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:26. By acknowledging God's provision, we can cultivate a sense of gratitude and wonder at His creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of God making grass grow for livestock in Psalms 104:14?
This verse highlights God's provision for all creation, as seen in Psalms 104:14, where He makes grass grow for livestock, demonstrating His care for the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it, much like in Genesis 1:29-30 where God provides vegetation for all living creatures.
How does this verse relate to our daily lives?
This verse reminds us of God's daily provision for us, as seen in Matthew 6:26, where Jesus teaches that God provides for the birds of the air, and we can trust Him to provide for our needs as well.
What does it mean that God brings forth food from the earth?
This phrase emphasizes God's role in the cycle of growth and harvest, as seen in Psalms 65:9-13, where God's blessing on the earth results in abundant harvests, demonstrating His power and provision for humanity.
How does this verse fit into the broader theme of Psalms 104?
This verse is part of a larger psalm that celebrates God's creation and provision, as seen in Psalms 104:1-35, where the psalmist declares God's glory and majesty in creating and sustaining the world.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways you have experienced God's provision in your life, and how can you express gratitude for these blessings?
- How can you apply the principle of trusting God for daily provision, as seen in this verse, to your own life and circumstances?
- What does this verse teach you about God's relationship with the natural world, and how can you cultivate a greater appreciation for His creation?
- In what ways can you partner with God in bringing forth 'food from the earth', whether literally or figuratively, in your own life and community?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 104:14
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle,.... By means of rain falling upon the tender herb, and upon the mown grass, whereby provision of food is made for those creatures that live upon grass.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 104:14
He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 104:14
Herb for the service of man; both for delight, and for necessity, either as food or physic. And this God doth; he watereth the earth, that thereby it may be prepared or disposed for the production of necessary provisions for beasts and for men, that so he (to wit, God) may bring forth food out of the earth, which without this blessing of God the earth would never yield.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 104:14
Psalms 104:14 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;Ver. 14. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle] He caused it to grow at first, before cattle were created, Genesis 1:11-12. And so he doth still, as the first cause; by rain and dew from heaven, as the second cause. And herb for the service of man] Ad esum et ad usum, for food, medicine, &c., Genesis 1:29. Green herbs, it seemeth, was a great dish with the ancients, which, therefore, they called Holus, ab ïëïí. Aristippus told his fellow philosopher, who fed upon them, If you can please Dionysius you need not eat green herbs, he presently replied, If you can eat green herbs you need not please Dionysius, and be his parasite. That he may bring forth food out of the earth] Alma parens Tellus "Labour not for the meat that perisheth, but for the meat," &c., John 6:27.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 104:14
(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 1 Chronicles 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 1 Chronicles 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.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 104:14
Verse 14. He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle] Doth God care for oxen? Yes, and there is not a beast of the field that does not share his merciful regards. And herb for the service of man] Plants, esculent herbs, and nutritive grain in general; and thus he brings forth food ( lechem, bread) out of the earth. In the germination and growth of a grain of wheat there is a profusion of miracles. God takes care of man, and of all those animals which are so necessary to the convenience and comfort of man.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 104:14
14. herb] Cp. Genesis 1:11-12; Genesis 1:29-30; Genesis 3:18; Genesis 9:3. The term includes all vegetable products. for the service of man] The use of the word in Psalms 104:23 and elsewhere is in favour of the rendering of R.V. marg., for the labour of man:—God makes the soil respond to man’s tillage with abundant produce. But the Heb. word seems to be capable of the same extension of meaning as ‘service’ and this sense fits the parallelism and the context best. 14 b, 15. The division of the verses obscures the parallelism. Render, That he may bring forth bread out of the earth, And that wine may gladden the heart of man. That he may make his face to shine with oil, And that bread may sustain man’s heart. Corn wine and oil were the chief products of Palestine (Deuteronomy 12:17). God provides for man’s enjoyment as well as for his sustenance. Cp. for the language Judges 9:13; Ecclesiastes 10:19.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 104:14
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle - Out of the earth there is caused to grow every variety of food necessary for the various orders of beings that are placed upon it.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 104:14
14. Grass… for the cattle… herb for… man—From the more general providence of nature, (Psalms 104:10-13,) the poet now enters more particularly upon the provisions for animals and man.
Sermons on Psalms 104:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Anti-Booze Efforts by Billy Sunday | Billy Sunday passionately preaches against alcohol, expressing his determination to combat the saloon culture that he believes leads to the destruction of lives and families. He em |
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Our Awesome God - Part 1 by Chuck Smith | This sermon delves into the profound wisdom and knowledge of God as revealed in Romans 11, emphasizing the intricate design and balance in creation that sustains life on Earth. It |
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Rahab - Example of Faith by Billy Strachan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses various aspects of faith and action in the context of biblical stories. He emphasizes the importance of not just hearing and believing the me |
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Man's Misconceptions of the Works of God. by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar emphasizes that God's governance and judgment over nations are evident through natural phenomena, which serve as His voice and means of communication with humanity. |
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And Said, Naked Came I Out of My Mother's Womb by John Calvin | John Calvin preaches about the importance of gratitude in prosperity, patience in adversity, and trust in God's provision for the future. He emphasizes attributing all blessings to |
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Of the Providence of God. by John Gill | John Gill expounds on the providence of God, emphasizing that it is the divine governance and care over all creation. He explains that God's providence is distinct from foreknowled |
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God's Faithfulness in Providing by George Mueller | George Mueller shares powerful testimonies of God's faithfulness in providing for orphans through prayer, illustrating how God tested his faith but always came through at the right |