Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 104:11
They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
11. every beast of the field ] Wild animals, as distinguished from domesticated animals, the ‘cattle’ of Psa 104:14.
the wild asses ] Mentioned particularly as one of the most striking and beautiful of wild animals. See Davidson’s note on Job 39:7, a passage which may have been in the Psalmist’s mind, for he was evidently familiar with Job. Jeremiah (Jer 14:6) draws a graphic picture of the sufferings of the wild ass in a drought.
quench ] Lit. break. Cp. frangere sitim.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
They give drink to every beast of the field – All are thus kept alive. The wild beasts that roam at large, find water thus provided for them.
The wild donkeys quench their thirst – Margin, as in Hebrew, break. The meaning is, that the most wild and ungovernable of beasts – those which are farthest from the habits of domesticated animals, and the most independent of any aid derived from man, find abundance everywhere. On the word rendered wild asses, and on the habits of the animals here referred to, see the notes at Job 11:12.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. The wild asses quench their thirst.] The pere, onager or wild ass, differs in nothing from the tame ass, only it has not a broken spirit, and is consequently more lively and active. It is so very swift that no horse except the Arab barb can overtake it. It is a gregarious animal, and they go in troops to feed and to drink. It is very timid, or rather jealous of its liberty, and therefore retires deep into the desert; yet even there the providence of God regards it; springs are provided, and it has the instinct to find them out.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Which he mentions, partly because they are dry and thirsty creatures; and partly because they live in dry and desolate wildernesses, and are neither ruled nor regarded by men, and are most stupid creatures, and yet are plentifully provided for by the care and bounty of Divine Providence.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
They give drink to every beast of the field,…. These fountains, springs, and rivers, afford water for all the beasts of the field; who are therefore said to honour and praise the Lord on account of it, Isa 43:19.
The wild asses quench their thirst; or “break” n it. Those creatures that live in dry and desert places, and are themselves dry and thirsty; and though so stupid as they be, yet provision of water is made for them, and they are directed where to seek for it, and find it; see
Job 39:5. And if God takes care of the beasts of the field, even the most wild and stupid, will he not take care of his own people? He will, and does. He opens rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; he gives waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to his people, his chosen, Isa 41:18.
n “frangent”, Pagninus, Montanus; “frangunt”, Vatablus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis; so Ainsworth.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(11) Wild asses.See Job. 39:5-8.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. Beast of the field A term for land animals in general.
Wild asses Here mentioned, perhaps, as specimens of animals inhabiting parched deserts, familiar with suffering from thirst, and hence extreme examples of divine care. For their habits, see Job 39:5-8; Isa 32:14
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 104:11. The wild asses quench their thirst It is particularly remarked of the asses, that though they are dull and stupid creatures, yet by Providence they are taught the way to the waters in the dry and sandy desarts; and that there is no better guide for the thirsty traveller to follow, than to observe the herds of them descending to the streams. The description here is very picturesque, of fine springs in the midst of shady vallies, frequented by a variety of beasts and birds, allured thither by the pleasantness of the place, and giving a kind of life and society to it. See Psa 104:12.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Here is a beautiful gradation of the provision God hath made for his creatures in animal life, rising up from the beast to man. The beast of the field, the fowl of the air, all are fed by his bounty; agreeably to that other sweet scripture, Thou openest thine hand, and satisfieth the desire of every living thing; Psa 114:8 . But observe the superiority of the Lord’s favorite creature, man. It is wine him is given to him, and oil, and bread. And can we forbear discovering the spiritual sense of these distinguishing mercies? The wine of the gospel; the oil of grace in the light of God’s countenance shining upon the soul; and Jesus, the bread of life, that man might indeed be strengthened, and live forever. Say, my soul; say Reader; are not these the glorious things intended by this representation? Was not this the a wine, which cheereth God and man; when God’s justice drank of it, and was satisfied; and when the sinner drinks of it, and is made glad? Jdg 9:13 . Oh! for the anointing of the Spirit, that true oil of grace, to make the face to shine, when beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, we are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord; 2Co 3:18 . And oh! for that bread of God, even Christ’s body, of which whosoever that eateth shall live forever. Lord, evermore give us this bread! Joh 6:33-34 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 104:11 They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
Ver. 11. They give drink to every beast ] A great mercy, as we have lately found in these late dry years, 1653, 1654, wherein God hath given us to know the worth of water by the want of it, Bona sunt a tergo formosissima.
The wild asses
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
The wild asses: are provided with water. Compare Psa 104:15.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
They give: Psa 145:16
the wild: Job 39:5-8
quench: Heb. break
Reciprocal: Joe 2:22 – afraid Mat 6:26 – the fowls Heb 6:7 – the earth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
104:11 They give drink to every {e} beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
(e) If God provides for the beasts, much more will he extend his provident care to man.