How does Psalm 103:22 connect with Genesis 1:31 about God's creation? Text of Both Passages “Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!” (Psalm 103:22) “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:31) The Goodness of Creation Established (Genesis 1:31) • Six literal days of divine activity culminate in God’s verdict: “very good.” • “Very good” indicates moral purity, functional harmony, and complete sufficiency—nothing lacking, nothing broken (cf. Deuteronomy 32:4). • The declaration covers “all that He had made,” embracing every star, molecule, creature, and person. Creation’s Ongoing Purpose: Praise (Psalm 103:22) • “All His works” includes the same comprehensive scope presented in Genesis 1. • The psalm summons every element of creation—visible and invisible—to bless the LORD (cf. Psalm 148:1-13). • The call is universal (“in all places of His dominion”), indicating that every corner of the created order is an arena for worship. Connecting the Dots • Genesis 1:31 tells us what creation is—“very good.” Psalm 103:22 tells us what creation is for—continuous praise. • The goodness declared at the beginning becomes the foundation for the worship commanded later. Because creation remains the handiwork of a perfect God, it is inherently fitted to glorify Him (Revelation 4:11). • Humanity’s role: made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and charged to “fill the earth and subdue it” (Genesis 1:28), people uniquely echo both truths—affirming creation’s goodness and joining its song of blessing (Psalm 103:1). Further Scriptural Threads • Colossians 1:16—“all things were created through Him and for Him,” uniting origin (Genesis 1:31) with purpose (Psalm 103:22). • Romans 8:19-21—creation “waits in eager expectation” for full redemption, showing that its praise will reach a climax when Christ restores all things. • Isaiah 55:12—“the mountains and hills will burst into song,” picturing a liberated creation fulfilling Psalm 103’s call. Living It Out • Celebrate God’s goodness in the natural world—sunrise, seasons, ecosystems—receiving them as “very good” gifts. • Join creation’s chorus: speak, sing, and act in ways that direct attention back to the Creator (1 Corinthians 10:31). • Steward the earth responsibly, guarding what God declared good and what He desires to hear bless His name (Genesis 2:15; Psalm 24:1). |
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