Psalms 104:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God clothed the earth with water, and the waters rose higher than the mountains.
The Context of Psalms 104:6
The description moves into the primordial watery state of creation, establishing the context for the next phase of God's ordering activity.
What Does Psalms 104:6 Mean?
The image of waters covering the earth 'as with a garment' echoes the earlier metaphor of God covering Himself with light. Just as light adorns God, water adorns the earth. This poetic parallelism suggests that the arrangement of water upon the earth reflects divine artistry and order. The deep waters are not portrayed as chaotic or threatening but as a proper adornment, part of God's design.
The waters standing above the mountains presents a primordial image—a time when the entire earth was submerged. This aligns with ancient cosmological understanding and the flood narrative framework. The fact that waters stood higher than the highest peaks emphasizes the totality and power of these waters, yet they remain under God's control and arrangement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 104:6
What does Psalms 104:6 mean?
God clothed the earth with water, and the waters rose higher than the mountains.
What is the context of Psalms 104:6?
The description moves into the primordial watery state of creation, establishing the context for the next phase of God's ordering activity.