Psalms 104:26 Meaning and Explanation
“There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Ships sail the sea, and the great leviathan plays in those waters.
The Context of Psalms 104:26
Human activity on the sea coexists with the mysterious great creatures God has made and given freedom.
What Does Psalms 104:26 Mean?
Ships represent human presence and activity on the sea—commerce, travel, and human use of creation. Yet ships are not the only inhabitants; the leviathan also has its domain. The leviathan, a great sea creature, plays—suggesting not merely survival but joy and freedom. The image of playing indicates that the creature enjoys its existence, not merely endures it.
The fact that God has made the leviathan and given it the sea as a place to play establishes that even the most mighty and mysterious creatures are God's creations. Human ships and divine leviathan share the sea space, each within their proper realm. The leviathan's presence alongside ships might inspire awe and even fear but is part of God's complete creation.
Psalms 104:26 in the Original Language
leviathan (לִוְיָתָן, livyatan) — a great sea creature, possibly based on large marine animals; symbolizes both the created order of powerful beings and the boundaries God has set even for the mightiest creatures.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 104:26
What does Psalms 104:26 mean?
Ships sail the sea, and the great leviathan plays in those waters.
What is the context of Psalms 104:26?
Human activity on the sea coexists with the mysterious great creatures God has made and given freedom.