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Psalms 104:12

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 104:12 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “By them the birds of the heavens have their habitation; They sing among the branches.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

By them the birds of the heavens have their habitation; They sing among the branches.
Psalms 104:12 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 104

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
9Thou hast set a bound that they may not pass over; That they turn not again to cover the earth.
10He sendeth forth springs into the valleys; They run among the mountains;
11They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild asses quench their thirst.
12By them the birds of the heavens have their habitation; They sing among the branches.
13He watereth the mountains from his chambers: The earth is filled with the fruit of thy works.
14He 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,
15And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, [And] oil to make his face to shine, And bread that strengtheneth man`s heart.
← Psalms 104:11Psalms 104:13 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, etc.] Another use of the springs, fountains, and rivers of water; by the sides and on the shores of these, some birds delight to be, and on trees that grow here do they build their nests; and here, having wetted their throats, they sit, and chirp, and sing: to doves, by rivers of water, is the allusion in (<220512>Song of Solomon 5:12). Which sing among the branches; of trees that grow by the sides of fountains and rivers; (see <261723>Ezekiel 17:23 <401332>Matthew 13:32). To such birds may saints be compared; being, like them, weak, defenceless, and timorous; liable to be taken in snares, and sometimes wonderfully delivered; as…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation - Among them the fowls of the air dwell. That is, among the trees which spring up by the fountains and water-courses. The whole picture is full of animation and beauty. Which sing among the branches - Margin, as in Hebrew, “give a voice.” Their voice is heard - their sweet music - in the foliage of the trees which grow on the margin of the streams and by the fountains. There is scarcely to be found a more beautiful poetic image than this. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the fowls: Psa 104:16, Psa 104:17, Psa 50:11, Psa 84:3, Psa 148:10; Mat 6:26 sing: Heb. give a voice, Psa 147:9 Psalms 104:13”
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Related study paths

Read Psalms 104 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification