Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 104:9
Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
9. The reference is not to the Flood, but to the original separation of land and water confirmed after the Flood (Gen 9:9 ff.). Cp. Job 38:10-11; Pro 8:29.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over – See Job 26:10, note; Job 38:10-11, note.
That they turn not again to cover the earth – As it was before the dry land appeared; or as the earth was when darkness was upon the face of the deep Gen 1:2, and when all was mingled earth and water. It is possible that in connection with this, the psalmist may also have had his eye on the facts connected with the deluge in the time of Noah, and the promise then made that the world should no more be destroyed by a flood, Gen 9:11, Gen 9:15.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass] And what is this bound? The flux and reflux of the sea, occasioned by the solar and lunar attraction, the rotation of the earth on its own axis, and the gravitation of the waters to the centre of the earth. And what is the cause of all these? The will and energy of God. Thus the sea is prevented from drowning the earth equally where there are flat shores as where the sea seems hemmed in by huge mounds of land and mountains. The above, not these, are the bounds which it cannot pass, so that they cannot turn again to cover the earth.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
A bound; even the sand of the sea-shore, as it is expressed, Jer 5:22, which, though in itself contemptible, and a very poor defence to the earth against that swelling and raging element, yet by Gods almighty power and gracious providence is made sufficient for that purpose; which is noted as a wonderful work of God, Job 38:8, &c.
The earth, to wit, the whole earth, as it did in the beginning of the creation. This was Gods appointment, and the course of nature settled by him. But when men transgressed their bounds, all the laws of God and men, it is not strange if the waters also transgressed their bounds, and once again overwhelmed the earth in the general deluge.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Thou hast set a bound, that they may not pass over,…. The Targum adds,
“to the rolling waves of the sea.”
Set doors with bolts and bars, cliffs, rocks, and shores: and, what is more surprising, sand, which is penetrable, flexible, and moveable, is set as a perpetual bound to the raging ocean and its waves, which they cannot pass over: see Job 38:8. So the Lord has set a bound to the proud waters of afflictions, and says, Thus far shall ye go, and no farther; and to the life of man, which he cannot exceed,
Job 14:5. But he has given man a law, as a rule to walk by, as the boundary of his conversation, and this he transgresses; in which he is less tractable than the raging sea and its waves. That they turn not again to cover the earth; as they did when it was first made, Ps 104:6 that is, not without the divine leave and power; for they did turn again and cover the earth, at the time of the flood; but never shall more. Some think there is no need to make this exception; since this was written after the flood, and when God had swore that the waters should no more go over the earth, Isa 54:9.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
9. Thou hast set a bound which they shall not pass The miracle spoken of is in this verse amplified, from its perpetuity. Natural philosophers are compelled to admit, and it is even one of their first principles, that the water is circular, and occupies the region intermediate between the earth and the air. It is entirely owing to the providence of God, that part of the earth remains dry and fit for the habitation of men. This is a fact of which mariners have the most satisfactory evidence. Yea, were even the rudest and most stupid of our race only to open their eyes, they would behold in the sea mountains of water elevated far above the level of the land. Certainly no banks, and even no iron gates, could make the waters, which in their own nature are fluid and unstable, keep together and in one place, as we see to be the case. I have just now said that earthquakes, which bring destruction upon some places, leave the globe, upon the whole, as it was before; and in like manner, although the sea, in some parts of the world, overpasses its boundaries, yet the law, which confines it; within certain limits, stands fast, that the earth may be a fit habitation for men. The Baltic Sea, in our own time, inundated large tracts of land, and did great damage to the Flemish people and other neighboring nations. By an instance of this kind we are warned what would be the consequence, were the restraint imposed upon the sea, by the hand of God, removed. How is it that we have not thereby been swallowed up together, but because God has held in that outrageous element by his word? In short, although the natural tendency of the waters is to cover the earth, yet this will not happen, because God has established, by his word, a counteracting law, and as his truth is eternal, this law must remain steadfast.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(9) A bound.It is striking to observe what a deep impression their little line of coast, the barrier which beat off the waves of the Mediterranean, made on the Hebrew mind. The sea was an object of dread. Or if dread passes into reverent wonder, as in Psa. 104:25-26, it ends there; the Jew never took delight in the sea. Hence, the coast has for him only one purpose and suggestion. It is not for enjoyment or recreation, or even for uses of commerce. It is simply the defence set by God against the hostile waters.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
9. Thou hast set a bound This impassable boundary of the ocean was a perpetual wonder to the Hebrew mind as a mark of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; (Job 26:10; Job 38:10-11; Jer 5:22😉 and fitly so, for the area of the ocean, as compared with the dry land, is as eight to three, and the security of the dry land, with its inhabitants, is wholly due to the depression of the ocean bed and the corresponding elevation of the land above the ocean level. This elevation of the continents above the sea is estimated to average one thousand feet. If all the dry land above the present ocean level were cast into the ocean it would raise the water only about three hundred and seventy-five feet, and “it would take forty times this amount to fill the oceanic depressions.” Dana. How wonderfully, then, has God “shut up the sea,” and said, “Hitherto shall thou come, but no further.” Job 38:8; Job 38:11. The slow and local changes of the lines of sea shore, of which geology takes notice, is no contradiction of the text, for it is of the passing its boundary to again cover the earth that the text speaks.
That they turn not again to cover the earth This language supposes that the recent prevalence of the ocean was lawless, not its proper state not consistent with the ultimate designs of the Creator in regard to animal and vegetable life. This is the bearing of Psa 104:7-9, and is a remarkable coincidence with geological statements. If ever geology shall reach a demonstration of the causes which have produced the phenomena of the post-tertiary formations, particularly of the drift and erratic block period, these verses, together with passages from the book of Job and the first chapter of Genesis, may receive a clearer explanation than can now be given. Where Scripture refers to objects or phenomena of nature, or of archaeology, the things themselves must be understood before the language can be fully interpreted. We wait the demonstrations of science.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 104:9 Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
Ver. 9. Thou hast set a bound, &c. ] A certain compass and course; an argument of God’s singular and sweet power and providence. See Job 38:10-11 , See Trapp on “ Job 38:10 “ See Trapp on “ Job 38:11 “
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
hast set: Psa 33:7, Gen 9:11-15, Job 26:10, Job 38:10, Job 38:11, Isa 54:9, Jer 5:22
Reciprocal: Job 14:5 – thou hast Job 38:8 – who Psa 76:10 – remainder Pro 3:20 – the depths Pro 8:29 – he gave
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 104:9. Thou hast set a bound Even the sand of the sea-shore, as is expressed Jer 5:22. Which, though in itself contemptible, and a very poor defence to the earth against that swelling and raging element, yet, by Gods almighty power and gracious providence, is made sufficient for that purpose, as the experience of five thousand years hath taught us. That they turn not again to cover the earth Once indeed they did, namely, in Noahs flood, because God commanded them so to do; but not since, because he prohibits them, having promised not to drown the world again. God himself glories in this instance of his power, and uses it as an argument with us to fear him, Job 38:8, &c.; Jer 5:22. And surely this, if duly considered, would keep the world in awe of God and his goodness, that the waters of the sea would soon cover the earth if God did not restrain them.