Note: It is sometime said that there is no overall structure to this Psalm although there are clear references back to Genesis 1 and the creation days. This proposal is that the perspective of the psalm is looking back at the creation days and how they pertain to life after the flood of Noah and the renewal of the earth. The final part of the psalm indicates the future purpose of the Creator in removing sin and filling the earth with His glory as described in Revelation 21-22.

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

Creation of Heavens and Earth – Day 1

2 Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment:
who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
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:
4 Who maketh his angels spirits;
his ministers a flaming fire:
5 Who laid the foundations of the earth,
that it should not be removed for ever.

Noah Flood followed by Creation Day 2 repeated

6 Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment:
the waters stood above the mountains.
7 At thy rebuke they fled;
at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
8 They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys
unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over;
that they turn not again to cover the earth.

Earth renewed after flood as on Creation Day 3

a. 10 He sendeth the springs into the valleys,
which run among the hills.
11 They give drink to every beast of the field:
the wild asses quench their thirst.

b.12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation,
which sing among the branches.

c. 13 He watereth the hills from his chambers:
the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
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;
15 And wine that maketh glad the heart of man,
and oil to make his face to shine,
and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.

b’. 16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap;
the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
17 Where the birds make their nests:
as for the stork, the fir trees are her house.

a’. 18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats;
and the rocks for the conies.

Creation Day 4 sets the daily rhythm of life

19 He appointed the moon for seasons:
the sun knoweth his going down.
20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night:
wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
21 The young lions roar after their prey,
and seek their meat from God.
22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together,
and lay them down in their dens.
23 Man goeth forth unto his work
and to his labour until the evening.

24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works!
in wisdom hast thou made them all:
the earth is full of thy riches.

Creation Day 5

25 So is this great and wide sea,
wherein are things creeping innumerable,
both small and great beasts.
26 There go the ships:
there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.

Creation Day 6 and forward

27 These wait all upon thee;
that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
28 That thou givest them they gather:
thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
29 Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled:
thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created:
and thou renewest the face of the earth.

Promise of New creation
a. 31 The glory of the LORD shall endure for ever:
the LORD shall rejoice in his works.

b. 32 He looketh on the earth, and it trembleth:
he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.

c. 33 I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live:
I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
34 My meditation of him shall be sweet:
I will be glad in the LORD.

b’. 35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth,
and let the wicked be no more.

a’. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul.
Praise ye the LORD.