The Meaning of Psalms 104:2 Explained

Psalms 104:2

KJV: Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

YLT: Covering himself with light as a garment, Stretching out the heavens as a curtain,

Darby: Covering thyself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent-curtain; --

ASV: Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment; Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain;

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Who coverest  [thyself] with light  as [with] a garment:  who stretchest out  the heavens  like a curtain: 

What does Psalms 104:2 Mean?

Context Summary

Psalm 104:1-12 - The Lord's Wondrous Handiwork
The opening verses of this psalm appear to describe in sublime poetry the creation of the world. God is very great, because He created the heavens and the earth. He is clothed with honor and majesty, and yet He stooped to brood over the chaos and darkness which preceded the order and beauty of our earth. When He said, "Let there be light," He robed Himself in its texture. The firmament of Genesis 1:8 was the curtain of his tent. The clouds above and the seas beneath yielded his chariot and hid for Him the joists of His palace. See Genesis 1:9-10. Compare Psalms 103:4 and Hebrews 1:7.
The psalmist in Psalms 104:6 seems to see the process which is described briefly and graphically in Genesis 1:10. The waters had covered the world with their storm and welter; but at God's command they poured down the mountain slopes to the ocean bed, there to be retained by banks of sand. What exquisite thoughtfulness is disclosed in God's provision of the springs! He thinks for the wild asses and the fowls, and how much more will He care for you, O ye of little faith! [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalm 104

1  A meditation upon the mighty power
7  And wonderful providence of God
31  God's glory is eternal
33  The prophet vows perpetually to praise God

What do the individual words in Psalms 104:2 mean?

Who cover [Yourself] with light as [with] a garment who stretch out the heavens like a curtain
עֹֽטֶה־ א֭וֹר כַּשַּׂלְמָ֑ה נוֹטֶ֥ה שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם כַּיְרִיעָֽה

עֹֽטֶה־  Who  cover  [Yourself]  with 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: עָטָה 
Sense: to cover, enwrap, wrap oneself, envelop oneself.
א֭וֹר  light 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: אֹור  
Sense: light.
כַּשַּׂלְמָ֑ה  as  [with]  a  garment 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: שַׂלְמָה  
Sense: garment, outer garment, wrapper, mantle.
נוֹטֶ֥ה  who  stretch  out 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: נָטָה 
Sense: to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow.
שָׁ֝מַ֗יִם  the  heavens 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: שָׁמַיִם  
Sense: heaven, heavens, sky.
כַּיְרִיעָֽה  like  a  curtain 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: יְרִיעָה  
Sense: curtain, drape.