Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. New Living Translation you lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds. You make the clouds your chariot; you ride upon the wings of the wind. English Standard Version He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind; Berean Standard Bible laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind. King James Bible Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: New King James Version He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, New American Standard Bible He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks on the wings of the wind; NASB 1995 He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind; NASB 1977 He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind; Legacy Standard Bible He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; He sets up the clouds to be His chariot; He walks upon the wings of the wind; Amplified Bible Who lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters [above the firmament], Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, Christian Standard Bible laying the beams of his palace on the waters above, making the clouds his chariot, walking on the wings of the wind, Holman Christian Standard Bible laying the beams of His palace on the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind, American Standard Version Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds his chariot; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind; Contemporary English Version and you built your home over the mighty ocean. The clouds are your chariot with the wind as its wings. English Revised Version Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; who maketh the clouds his chariot; who walketh upon the wings of the wind: GOD'S WORD® Translation You lay the beams of your home in the water. You use the clouds for your chariot. You move on the wings of the wind. Good News Translation and built your home on the waters above. You use the clouds as your chariot and ride on the wings of the wind. International Standard Version He lays the beams of his roof loft on the water above, making clouds his chariot, walking on the wings of the wind. NET Bible and lays the beams of the upper rooms of his palace on the rain clouds. He makes the clouds his chariot, and travels along on the wings of the wind. New Heart English Bible He lays the beams of his chambers in the waters. He makes the clouds his chariot. He walks on the wings of the wind. Webster's Bible Translation Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblelaying the beams of His chambers in the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind. World English Bible He lays the beams of his rooms in the waters. He makes the clouds his chariot. He walks on the wings of the wind. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWho is laying the beam of His upper chambers in the waters, "" Who is making thick clouds His chariot, "" Who is walking on wings of wind, Young's Literal Translation Who is laying the beam of His upper chambers in the waters, Who is making thick clouds His chariot, Who is walking on wings of wind, Smith's Literal Translation Framing his upper chambers in the waters: setting the clouds his chariot: going upon the wings of the wind. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims Biblewho coverest the higher rooms thereof with water. Who makest the clouds thy chariot: who walkest upon the wings of the winds. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible setting the beams of your chambers upon the waters. You make the clouds your chariot; traveling on the wings of the wind. New Revised Standard Version you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWho layest the beams of his chambers in the waters, who makest the clouds his chariot, who walkest upon the wings of the wind, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He makes his lofty dwellings in the waters and sets his chariot above the clouds and walks upon the wings of the wind. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Who layest the beams of Thine upper chambers in the waters, Who makest the clouds Thy chariot, Who walkest upon the wings of the wind; Brenton Septuagint Translation Who covers his chambers with waters; who makes the clouds his chariot; who walks on the wings of the wind. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context How Many Are Your Works, O LORD!…2He wraps Himself in light as with a garment; He stretches out the heavens like a tent, 3laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind. 4He makes the winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants.… Cross References Isaiah 19:1 This is the burden against Egypt: Behold, the LORD rides on a swift cloud; He is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians will melt within them. Job 38:9 when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet. Isaiah 40:22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Job 26:9 He covers the face of the full moon, spreading over it His cloud. Exodus 19:9 The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you, and they will always put their trust in you.” And Moses relayed to the LORD what the people had said. 1 Kings 8:12 Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud. Isaiah 66:1 This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? Ezekiel 1:4 I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a gleam like amber, Jeremiah 4:13 Behold, he advances like the clouds, his chariots like the whirlwind. His horses are swifter than eagles. Woe to us, for we are ruined! Matthew 24:30 At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen. Acts 1:9-11 After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. / They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. / “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Revelation 14:14 And I looked and saw a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was One like the Son of Man, with a golden crown on His head and a sharp sickle in His hand. Treasury of Scripture Who lays the beams of his chambers in the waters: who makes the clouds his chariot: who walks on the wings of the wind: who layeth Psalm 18:10,11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind… Amos 9:6 It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. Maketh Isaiah 19:1 The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. Matthew 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Revelation 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. walketh Psalm 18:10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. Psalm 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 2 Samuel 2:11 And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months. Jump to Previous Arch Based Beam Beams Carriage Chambers Chariot Clouds House Laid Lays Makes Makest Maketh Making Rides Thick Upper Walkest Walketh Walking Walks Waters Wind WingsJump to Next Arch Based Beam Beams Carriage Chambers Chariot Clouds House Laid Lays Makes Makest Maketh Making Rides Thick Upper Walkest Walketh Walking Walks Waters Wind WingsPsalm 104 1. A meditation upon the mighty power7. And wonderful providence of God 31. God's glory is eternal 33. The prophet vows perpetually to praise God laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above This phrase evokes the imagery of God's sovereignty and creative power. The "beams of His chambers" suggests a divine architecture, indicating God's control over the heavens. The "waters above" refers to the ancient Near Eastern cosmology where the sky was perceived as a solid dome holding back celestial waters, as seen in Genesis 1:7. This reflects God's authority over creation, emphasizing His ability to establish order in the universe. The imagery also connects to the Flood narrative, where God opened the "floodgates of the heavens" (Genesis 7:11), demonstrating His power to both create and judge. making the clouds His chariot walking on the wings of the wind Persons / Places / Events 1. God (Yahweh)The Creator and Sustainer of the universe, depicted as sovereign over creation. 2. Waters Symbolic of chaos and the primordial elements over which God has control. 3. Clouds Representing God's majesty and His presence, often associated with divine appearances. 4. Wind A symbol of God's spirit and power, demonstrating His omnipresence and omnipotence. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over CreationThe imagery in Psalm 104:3 highlights God's supreme authority over the natural world. As believers, we can trust in His control over the chaos in our lives. The Majesty of God's Presence The clouds as God's chariot remind us of His majestic presence. We should live with an awareness of God's nearness and His involvement in our daily lives. The Power of God's Spirit The wind symbolizes the Spirit of God, which empowers and guides us. We should seek to be led by the Spirit in our decisions and actions. Trust in God's Guidance Just as God led the Israelites with a cloud, He guides us today. We should seek His direction through prayer and Scripture. Reflecting on God's Creation Observing the natural world can lead us to worship and appreciate God's creative power. Take time to reflect on the beauty and order of creation as a testament to God's greatness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 104:3?2. How does Psalm 104:3 inspire trust in God's sovereignty over creation? 3. What does "makes the clouds His chariot" reveal about God's majesty? 4. How can we apply God's control over nature in our daily lives? 5. Which other scriptures emphasize God's authority over the natural world? 6. How does understanding Psalm 104:3 strengthen our faith in God's power? 7. How does Psalm 104:3 reflect God's sovereignty over creation? 8. What is the significance of God "laying the beams of His chambers on the waters"? 9. How does Psalm 104:3 align with scientific understanding of the natural world? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 104? 11. What are the fountains of the great deep? 12. Psalm 68:4: How does portraying God as “riding on the clouds” align with modern meteorological understanding? 13. If Genesis describes the creation of the sun on the fourth day, how were there 'days' before the sun existed? 14. Does Isaiah 14:13–14’s description of ascending to heaven reflect a literal cosmic event, and if not, why does the text use such lofty imagery? What Does Psalm 104:3 Mean Laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above“ He lays the beams of His chambers in the waters ...” (Psalm 104:3a) • Picture a master carpenter framing an upper room. The psalmist is saying that God frames His heavenly dwelling entirely secure, resting on “the waters above” mentioned in Genesis 1:6–7 and echoed in Psalm 148:4. • Because Scripture is factually trustworthy, the “waters above” are real—part of God’s ordered, layered creation. Yet the image also tells us something relational: the God who spoke these waters into existence (Job 38:8–11) is perfectly at ease ruling from above them. • By describing beams and chambers, the psalm directs us to think of stability and permanence. Heaven is not an abstract idea; it is a tangible realm, prepared and established by the same Lord who promises us an eternal home (John 14:2). Making the clouds His chariot “ ...He makes the clouds His chariot ...” (Psalm 104:3b) • In the ancient world, the chariot was the swiftest, most impressive vehicle imaginable. Declaring that clouds are God’s chariot underscores His unmatched mobility and sovereign reach. He is never confined, never delayed. • Other passages reinforce this picture: “Sing to Him who rides on the clouds” (Psalm 68:4); Elijah watched “the LORD go by, and a great and mighty wind tore the mountains” (1 Kings 19:11); Isaiah prophesied, “The LORD rides on a swift cloud” (Isaiah 19:1). • Because clouds are literal, visible phenomena we see every day, the passage invites us to look up and remember: the Creator guides even the skies (Job 37:15–16) and will one day return “coming with the clouds” (Revelation 1:7). Walking on the wings of the wind “ ...He walks on the wings of the wind .” (Psalm 104:3c) • Wind is powerful, invisible, and uncontrollable to us, yet God strolls upon it as casually as we walk on solid ground (Psalm 18:10). • This power over the unseen currents mirrors Jesus calming the storm with a word (Mark 4:39) and illustrates the Spirit’s sovereign movement—“the wind blows where it wishes” (John 3:8). • The phrase also assures us of God’s nearness. The same wind that brushes your face carries the footprints of the Almighty. He is both transcendent and imminent, directing every breeze (Nahum 1:3). summary Psalm 104:3 paints a threefold portrait of the Lord’s supremacy: His heavenly palace is firmly set above the waters, His cloud-chariot spans the skies, and His stride commands the very wind. Each image is literally rooted in God’s created order and warmly invites us to trust the One whose power, presence, and stability fill both heaven and earth. (3) Layeth the beams.--Literally, maketh to meet The meaning of the Hebrew word, which is an exact equivalent of the Latin contignare, is clear from Nehemiah 2:8; Nehemiah 3:3; Nehemiah 3:6, and from the meaning of the derived noun (2Kings 6:2; 2Kings 6:5; Song of Solomon 1:17). . . . Verse 3. - Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters. God forms himself an upper chamber, as a dwelling place, in "the waters that are above the firmament" (Genesis 1:7), as a man builds himself an upper chamber with beams and rafters. Who maketh the clouds his chariot (comp. Isaiah 19:1, "Behold, the Lord rideth upon a thick cloud"). Who walketh upon the wings of the wind (comp. Psalm 18:10). The anthropomorphism will be pardoned for the sake of the beauty of the imagery.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew laying the beamsהַ֥מְקָרֶֽה (ham·qā·reh) Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7136: To light upon, to bring about, to impose timbers of his chambers עֲֽלִיּ֫וֹתָ֥יו (‘ălî·yō·w·ṯāw) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5944: Something lofty, a stair-way, a second-story room, the sky on the waters above, בַמַּ֗יִם (ḇam·ma·yim) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen making הַשָּׂם־ (haś·śām-) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set the clouds עָבִ֥ים (‘ā·ḇîm) Noun - common plural Strong's 5645: An envelope, darkness, a, cloud, a copse His chariot, רְכוּב֑וֹ (rə·ḵū·ḇōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7398: A vehicle walking הַֽ֝מְהַלֵּ֗ךְ (ham·hal·lêḵ) Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the wings כַּנְפֵי־ (kan·p̄ê-) Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 3671: An edge, extremity, a wing, a flap, a quarter, a pinnacle of the wind. רֽוּחַ׃ (rū·aḥ) Noun - common singular Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit Links Psalm 104:3 NIVPsalm 104:3 NLT Psalm 104:3 ESV Psalm 104:3 NASB Psalm 104:3 KJV Psalm 104:3 BibleApps.com Psalm 104:3 Biblia Paralela Psalm 104:3 Chinese Bible Psalm 104:3 French Bible Psalm 104:3 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 104:3 He lays the beams of his chambers (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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