The Wonders of Creation
Psalms 103
This psalm surveys the Lord's works in creation, from stretching out the heavens and setting the earth on its foundations to appointing the springs, mountains, moon, and sun for the creatures that depend on them, including wild beasts, birds, cattle, and man at his labor. It marvels at the great sea full of living things and asks the Lord to continue rejoicing in his works and to send his Spirit to renew the face of the earth.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonBLESS the Lord O my soul. O Lord my God, Thou art very great. Thou hast robed Thyself with honour and majesty;
BrentonA Psalm of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou hast clothed thyself with praise and honour:
GreekΤῷ Δαυίδ. Εὐλόγει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον. Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου ἐμεγαλύνθης σφόδρα· ἐξομολόγησιν καὶ εὐπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσω,
KJVBless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty.
JPSBless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with glory and majesty.
2
Thomsonclothing Thyself with light as with a mantle; stretching out the heaven as a tent.
Brentonwho dost robe thyself with light as with a garment; spreading out the heaven as a curtain.
Greekἀναβαλλόμενος φῶς ὡς ἱμάτιον, ἐκτείνων τὸν οὐρανὸν ὡσεὶ δέῤῥιν·
KJVWho coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
JPSWho coverest Thyself with light as with a garment, who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;
3
ThomsonThou art He Who covereth His chambers with waters who maketh clouds His chariot—Who walketh on the wings of winds—
BrentonWho covers his chambers with waters; who makes the clouds his chariot; who walks on the wings of the wind.
GreekὉ στεγάζων ἐν ὕδασι τὰ ὑπερῷα αὐτοῦ, ὁ τιθεὶς νέφη τὴν ἐπίβασιν αὐτοῦ· ὁ περιπατῶν ἐπὶ πτερύγων ἀνέμων·
KJVWho layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:
JPSWho layest the beams of Thine upper chambers in the waters, who makest the clouds Thy chariot, who walkest upon the wings of the wind;
4
ThomsonWho maketh winds His messengers, and flaming fire His ministers—
BrentonWho makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flaming fire.
GreekὉ ποιῶν τοὺς ἀγγέλους αὐτοῦ πνεύματα, καὶ τοὺς λειτουργοὺς αὐτοῦ πῦρ φλέγον·
KJVWho maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:
JPSWho makest winds Thy messengers, the flaming fire Thy ministers.
5
ThomsonWho founded the earth on its firm basis, that it may not be moved forever.
BrentonWho establishes the earth on her sure foundation: it shall not be moved for ever.
GreekὉ θεμελιῶν τὴν γῆν ἐπὶ τὴν ἀσφάλειαν αὐτῆς, οὐ κλιθήσεται εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος.
KJVWho laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
JPSWho didst establish the earth upon its foundations, that it should not be moved for ever and ever;
6
ThomsonIs the abyss like a garment to be its covering—are waters to stand above the mountains?
BrentonThe deep, as it were a garment, is his covering: the waters shall stand on the hills.
GreekἌβυσσος ὡς ἱμάτιον τὸ περιβόλαιον αὐτοῦ, ἐπὶ τῶν ὀρέων στήσονται ὕδατα.
KJVThou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
JPS—
7
ThomsonAt Thy rebuke they shall flee—at the peal of Thy thunder they will tremble.
BrentonAt thy rebuke they shall flee; at the voice of thy thunder they shall be alarmed.
GreekἈπὸ ἐπιτιμήσεώς σου φεύξονται, ἀπὸ φωνῆς βροντῆς σου δειλιάσουσιν.
KJVAt thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.
JPSAt Thy rebuke they fled, at the voice of Thy thunder they hasted away—
8
ThomsonThey ascend mountains, they go down valleys; to the place which Thou hast founded for them.
BrentonThey go up to the mountains, and down to the plains, to the place which thou hast founded for them.
GreekἈναβαίνουσιν ὄρη, καὶ καταβαίνουσι πεδία εἰς τόπον ὃν ἐθεμελίωσας αὐτοῖς.
KJVThey go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them.
JPSThe mountains rose, the valleys sank down— Unto the place which Thou hadst founded for them;
9
ThomsonThou has set a bound which they shall not pass; nor shall they return to cover the earth.
BrentonThou hast set a bound which they shall not pass, neither shall they turn again to cover the earth.
GreekὍριον ἔθου ὃ οὐ παρελεύσονται, οὐδὲ ἐπιστρέψουσι καλύψαι τὴν γῆν.
KJVThou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; that they turn not again to cover the earth.
JPSThou didst set a bound which they should not pass over, That they might not return to cover the earth.
10
ThomsonThou art He Who sendeth forth springs in valleys. Waters shall flow down between the mountains;
BrentonHe sends forth his fountains among the valleys: the waters shall run between the mountains.
GreekὉ ἐξαποστέλλων πηγὰς ἐν φάραγξιν, ἀναμέσον τῶν ὀρέων διελεύσονται ὕδατα.
KJVHe sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills.
JPSWho sendest forth springs into the valleys; They run between the mountains;
11
Thomsonand give drink to all the beasts of the field. Wild asses will expect them to quench their thirst.
BrentonThey shall give drink to all the wild beasts of the field: the wild asses shall take of them to quench their thirst.
GreekΠοτιοῦσι πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ ἀγροῦ, προσδέξονται ὄναγροι εἰς δίψαν αὐτῶν.
KJVThey give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst.
JPSThey give drink to every beast of the field, The wild asses quench their thirst. .
12
ThomsonBy them the birds of the air will abide: from among the rocks they will utter a sound.
BrentonBy them shall the birds of the sky lodge: they shall utter a voice out of the midst of the rocks.
GreekἘπʼ αὐτὰ τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ κατασκηνώσει, ἐκ μέσου τῶν πετρῶν δώσουσι φωνήν.
KJV—
JPS—
13
ThomsonThou art He Who watereth mountains from His chambers. With the fruit of Thy works the earth will be satisfied.
BrentonHe waters the mountains from his chambers: the earth shall be satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
GreekΠοτίζων ὄρη ἐκ τῶν ὑπερῴων αὐτοῦ, ἀπὸ καρποῦ τῶν ἔργων σου χορτασθήσεται ἡ γῆ.
KJVHe watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.
JPSWho waterest the mountains from Thine upper chambers; The earth is full of the fruit of Thy works.
14
ThomsonThou art He Who causeth grass to grow for cattle; even verdant grass for the service of man. That he may bring food out of the earth:
BrentonHe makes grass to grow for the cattle, and green herb for the service of men, to bring bread out of the earth;
GreekὉ ἐξανατέλλων χόρτον τοῖς κτήνεσι, καὶ χλόην τῇ δουλείᾳ τῶν ἀνθρώπων· τοῦ ἐξαγαγεῖν ἄρτον ἐκ τῆς γῆς,
KJVHe 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;
JPSWho causeth the grass to spring up for the cattle, And herb for the service of man; To bring forth bread out of the earth,
15
Thomsonwine cheereth the heart of man: that he might exhilarate his countenance with oil; the heart of man is strengthened with bread.
Brentonand wine makes glad the heart of man, to make his face cheerful with oil: and bread strengthens man's heart.
Greekκαὶ οἶνος εὐφραίνει καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου· τοῦ ἱλαρύναι πρόσωπον ἐν ἐλαίῳ, καὶ ἄρτος καρδίαν ἀνθρώπου στηρίζει.
KJVAnd wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.
JPSAnd wine that maketh glad the heart of man, Making the face brighter than oil, And bread that stayeth man's heart.
16
ThomsonThe trees of the plain shall be fully satisfied—the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted.
BrentonThe trees of the plain shall be full of sap; even the cedars of Libanus which he has planted.
GreekΧορτασθήσεται τὰ ξύλα τοῦ πεδίου, αἱ κέδροι τοῦ Λιβάνου ἃς ἐφύτευσεν.
KJVThe trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;
JPSThe trees of the LORD have their fill, The cedars of Lebanon, which He hath planted;
17
ThomsonThere the birds will build their nests. The family of the stork account them their own.
BrentonThere the sparrows will build their nests; and the house of the heron takes the lead among them.
GreekἘκεῖ στρουθία ἐννοσσεύσουσι, τοῦ ἐρωδιοῦ ἡ οἰκία ἡγεῖται αὐτῶν.
KJV—
JPS—
18
ThomsonThe lofty mountains are for the hinds: a rock is the refuge of the rabbit.
BrentonThe high mountains are a refuge for the stags, and the rock for the rabbits.
GreekὌρη τὰ ὑψηλὰ ταῖς ἐλάφοις, πέτρα καταφυγὴ τοῖς χοιρογρυλλίοις.
KJVThe high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
JPSThe high mountains are for the wild goats; The rocks are a refuge for the conies.
19
ThomsonHe hath appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his time for going down.
BrentonHe appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knows his going down.
GreekἘποίησε σελήνην εἰς καιροὺς, ὁ ἥλιος ἔγνω τὴν δύσιν αὐτοῦ.
KJVHe appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.
JPSWho appointedst the moon for seasons; The sun knoweth his going down.
20
ThomsonThou hast stationed darkness and there was night: in it all the beasts of the forest will come forth—
BrentonThou didst make darkness, and it was night; in it all the wild beasts of the forest will be abroad:
GreekἜθου σκότος καὶ ἐγένετο νὺξ, ἐν αὐτῇ διελεύσονται πάντα τὰ θηρία τοῦ δρυμοῦ.
KJVThou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
JPSThou makest darkness, and it is night, Wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
21
ThomsonLions roaring for prey, seeking their food from God.
Brentoneven young lions roaring for prey, and to seek meat for themselves from God.
GreekΣκυμνοι ὠρυόμενοι ἁρπάσαι, καὶ ζητῆσαι παρὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ βρῶσιν αὐτοῖς.
KJVThe young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
JPSThe young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God.
22
ThomsonWhen the sun is risen, they will assemble and lay themselves down in their dens;
BrentonThe sun arises, and they shall be gathered together, and shall lie down in their dens.
GreekἈνέτειλεν ὁ ἥλιος καὶ συναχθήσονται, καὶ ἐν ταῖς μάνδραις αὐτῶν κοιτασθήσονται.
KJVThe sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
JPSThe sun ariseth, they slink away, And couch in their dens.
23
ThomsonMan will go forth to his labour and continue at it till evening.
BrentonMan shall go forth to his work, and to his labour till evening.
GreekἘξελεύσεται ἄνθρωπος ἐπὶ τὸ ἔργον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν ἐργασίαν αὐτοῦ ἕως ἑσπέρας.
KJVMan goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.
JPSMan goeth forth unto his work And to his labour until the evening.
24
ThomsonHow manifold are Thy works, O Lord, with wisdom Thou hast done them all. The earth is filled with Thy creatures;
BrentonHow great are thy works, O Lord! in wisdom hast thou wrought them all: the earth is filled with thy creation.
GreekὩς ἐμεγαλύνθη τὰ ἔργα σου Κύριε, πάντα ἐν σοφίᾳ ἐποίησας· ἐπληρώθη ἡ γῆ τῆς κτίσεώς σου·
KJVO LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.
JPSHow manifold are Thy works, O LORD! In wisdom hast Thou made them all; The earth is full of Thy creatures.
25
ThomsonSo is the great and spacious sea: in this are moving things innumerable—living creatures small and great.
BrentonSo is this great and wide sea: there are things creeping innumerable, small animals and great.
GreekΑὕτη ἡ θάλασσα ἡ μεγάλη καὶ εὐρύχωρος· ἐκεῖ ἑρπετὰ ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν ἀριθμὸς, ζῶα μικρὰ μετὰ μεγάλων.
KJVSo is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
JPSYonder sea, great and wide, Therein are creeping things innumerable, Living creatures, both small and great.
26
ThomsonThere ships sail: there is that dragon, which Thou hast formed to sport therein.
BrentonThere go the ships; and this dragon whom thou hast made to play in it.
GreekἘκεῖ πλοῖα διαπορεύονται, δράκων οὗτος ὃν ἔπλασας ἐμπαίζειν αὐτῷ.
KJVThere go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
JPSThere go the ships; There is leviathan, whom Thou hast formed to sport therein.
27
ThomsonAll wait on Thee to give them food in due season.
BrentonAll wait upon thee, to give them their food in due season.
GreekΠάντα πρὸς σὲ προσδοκῶσι, δοῦναι τὴν τροφὴν αὐτοῖς εὔκαιρον.
KJVThese wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.
JPSAll of them wait for Thee, That Thou mayest give them their food in due season.
28
ThomsonWhen Thou givest them, they gather; by opening Thy hand all are bountifully supplied.
BrentonWhen thou hast given it them, they will gather it; and when thou hast opened thine hand, they shall all be filled with good.
GreekΔόντος σου αὐτοῖς, συλλέξουσιν· ἀνοίξαντος δέ σου τὴν χεῖρα, τὰ σύμπαντα πλησθήσονται χρηστότητος.
KJVThat thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.
JPSThou givest it unto them, they gather it; Thou openest Thy hand, they are satisfied with good.
29
ThomsonBut when Thou deniest, they are troubled. Withdraw their breath, they die and return to their dust:
BrentonBut when thou hast turned away thy face, they shall be troubled: thou wilt take away their breath, and they shall fail, and return to their dust.
GreekἈποστρέψαντος δέ σου τὸ πρόσωπον, ταραχθήσονται· ἀντανελεῖς τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐκλείψουσι, καὶ εἰς τὸν χοῦν αὐτῶν ἐπιστρέψουσιν.
KJVThou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
JPSThou hidest Thy face, they vanish; Thou withdrawest their breath, they perish, And return to their dust.
30
Thomsonsend forth Thy breath and they are created: Thou indeed canst renew the face of the earth.
BrentonThou shalt send forth thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
GreekἘξαποστελεῖς τὸ πνεῦμά σου καὶ κτισθήσονται, καὶ ἀνακαινιεῖς τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς γῆς.
KJVThou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
JPSThou sendest forth Thy spirit, they are created; and Thou renewest the face of the earth.
31
ThomsonLet the glory of the Lord endure forever; let the Lord rejoice over His works.
BrentonLet the glory of the Lord be for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works;
GreekἬτω ἡ δόξα Κυρίου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα, εὐφρανθήσεται Κύριος ἐπὶ τοῖς ἔργοις αὐτοῦ·
KJVThe glory of the LORD shall endure for ever: the LORD shall rejoice in his works.
JPSMay the glory of the LORD endure for ever; let the LORD rejoice in His works!
32
ThomsonWhen He looketh at the earth, He causeth it to tremble; when He toucheth the mountains, they smoke.
Brentonwho looks upon the earth, and makes it tremble; who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
GreekὉ ἐπιβλέπων ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ ποιῶν αὐτὴν τρέμειν, ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῶν ὀρέων καὶ καπνίζονται.
KJVHe looketh on the earth, and it trembleth: he toucheth the hills, and they smoke.
JPSWho looketh on the earth, and it trembleth; He toucheth the mountains, and they smoke.
33
ThomsonI will sing to the Lord as long as I live, I will praise my God while I have a being.
BrentonI will sing to the Lord while I live; I will sing praise to my God while I exist.
GreekἌσω τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐν τῇ ζωῇ μου, ψαλῶ τῷ Θεῷ μου ἕως ὑπάρχω.
KJVI will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.
JPSI will sing unto the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.
34
ThomsonLet my meditation be acceptable to Him, and I will rejoice in the Lord.
BrentonLet my meditation be sweet to him: and I will rejoice in the Lord.
GreekἩδυνθείη αὐτῷ ἡ διαλογή μου, ἐγὼ δὲ εὐφρανθήσομαι ἐπὶ τῷ Κυρίῳ.
KJVMy meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD.
JPSLet my musing be sweet unto Him; as for me, I will rejoice in the LORD.
35
ThomsonLet sinners be consumed from the earth, and the wicked so as to be no more; O my soul, bless Thou the Lord.
BrentonLet the sinners fail from off the earth, and transgressors, so that they shall be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul.
GreekἘκλείποισαν ἁμαρτωλοὶ ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἄνομοι, ὥστε μὴ ὑπάρχειν αὐτούς· εὐλόγει, ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν Κύριον.
KJVLet the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
JPSLet sinners cease out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless the LORD, O my soul. Hallelujah.