KJV ORIGINAL
Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
When You hide Your face, they are deeply disturbed; when You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust they came from.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse acknowledges that all life depends completely on God's presence and breath - when He withdraws His sustaining power, living things die and return to dust.
📚 Historical Context
Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn celebrating God as Creator and Sustainer of all life. The psalmist is reflecting on how all creatures depend moment by moment on God's care for their existence. In ancient Hebrew thought, God's 'face' represented His favor and presence, while His 'breath' or 'spirit' was seen as the life-giving force that animated all living things.
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