Psalms 104:2

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 104:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;
Psalms 104:2 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 104

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment, etc.] Referring, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi think, to the light, which was first created; and indeed this was commanded out of darkness by God the Word, or by the essential Word of God. Light is expressive of the nature of God himself, who is light, and in him is no darkness at all, and who dwells in light f1443 inaccessible, and so may be said to be clothed with it; which is applicable to Christ as a divine Person, (<620105>1 John 1:5 <540616>1 Timothy 6:16). and to whom this term “light” well agrees; Light being one of the names of the Messiah in the Old Testament, (<194303>Psalm 43:3 <270222>Daniel 2:22), and is often given him in the New…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment - Referring to the first work of creation Genesis 1:3, “And God said, Let there be light, and there was light.” He seemed to put on light as a garment; he himself appeared as if invested with light. It was the first “manifestation” of God. He seemed at once to have put on light as his robe. Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain - As an expanse spread over us. The word used here means a curtain or hanging, so called from its tremulous motion, from a word meaning to tremble. Thus it is applied to a curtain before a door; to a tent, etc. It is applied here to the heavens, as they seem to be “spread out” like the curtains of a tent, as if…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Light - With that first created light, which the psalmist fitly puts in the first place, as being the first of God's visible works. Psalms 104:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“104:2-4 The psalmist interacts with two of the days of creation (see Gen 1:1-8), when God created the heavens and light.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“with light: Dan 7:9; Mat 17:2; Ti1 6:16; Jo1 1:5 stretchest: Isa 40:22, Isa 45:12; Zac 12:1; Heb 1:10-12 Psalms 104:3”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification