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An ancient word for Earth Day 2008

It’s easy to forget that understanding the complexity and reliance of one part of creation upon the other is not a modern observation but an old knowledge—of which this ancient psalmist reminds us well.
He makes springs pour water into the ravines;
it flows between the mountains.
They give water to all the beasts of the field;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
The birds of the air nest by the waters;
they sing among the branches.
He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
He makes grass grow for the cattle,
and plants for man to cultivate—
bringing forth food from the earth;
wine that gladdens the heart of man,
oil to make his face shine,
and bread that sustains his heart.
The trees of the Lord are well watered,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
There the birds make their nests;
the stork has its home in the pine trees.
The high mountains belong to the wild goats;
the crags are a refuge for the coneys.

The moon marks off the seasons,
and the sun knows when to go down.
You bring darkness, it becomes night,
and all the beasts of the forest prowl.
The lions roar for their prey
and seek their food from God.
The sun rises, and they steal way;
they return and lie down in their dens.
Then man goes out to his work,
to his labor until evening. . . .

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

Praise the Lord.

--Psalms 104:10-23, 35

(Image: NASA)