Psalms 104:21

21 The young lions roar after their prey and seek their food from God.

Psalms 104:21 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 104:21

The young lions roar after their prey
Or, "at the prey" {f}; for, according to the Scriptures, it seems as if their time of roaring was when they have got their prey, and are tearing it and feeding on it, and not till then, ( Amos 3:4 ) ( Isaiah 31:4 ) though naturalists tell us, that, when they are pinched with hunger, they make such a hideous roaring, as quite stupefies, as well as terrifies, other creatures; that they have no power to stir, till they come up to them, and become their prey, who otherwise could outrun them; for the lion is neither a swift creature, nor of good scent: wherefore, according to credible accounts, a creature called a "jackal", little bigger than a fox, hunts its prey for it, and secures it till it comes up to it. Young lions are rather mentioned, because their appetite is keenest, and their voice loudest and strongest. This creature is an emblem of Satan, who goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, ( 1 Peter 5:8 ) .

And seek their meat from God;
as all creatures in their way do; as the ravens by crying, so the young lions by roaring; neither one nor other can provide for themselves, but God, in his providence, supplies them all with food; see ( Psalms 104:27 Psalms 104:28 ) ( Psalms 145:15 Psalms 145:16 ) . And should not we seek and ask our meat of God too, even both temporal and spiritual? And may we not expect it from him? Does he feed the ravens, and also the young lions, and will he not take care of his own people, and feed them with food convenient for them, and especially when they ask it of him? ( Psalms 34:10 ) ( Luke 12:24 ) ( 11:13 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 (Prjl) "ad praedam", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator

Psalms 104:21 In-Context

19 He appointed the moon for times and seasons; the sun knows his going down.

20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night, wherein all the beasts of the forest move.

21 The young lions roar after their prey and seek their food from God.

22 The sun arises, they withdraw and lay themselves down in their dens.

23 Man goes forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.