Psalms 104:27 (KJV)

What does Psalms 104:27 mean?

Psalms 104:27 describes living creatures looking to God for food. The speaker addresses God directly and pictures the creatures as dependent on him to provide what they need at the proper time.

“These” reaches back to the sea creatures just mentioned, as well as the other living things described in the passage. By saying that they “wait,” the speaker gives the creatures the picture of expectant dependents looking toward a provider.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 104:27

• “wait” — שָׂבַר (savar): The word can carry the sense of looking expectantly toward someone. Here it helps show why the creatures are pictured as looking to God, rather than simply passing time.
• “meat” — אֹכֶל (okhel): The word means food. In the KJV, “meat” can mean food generally, not just animal flesh.

Why Psalms 104:27 matters

• The verse brings many kinds of creatures together under one description. The phrase “These wait all” follows a passage that includes animals on land and in the sea.
• The timing of food is part of the picture. “In due season” presents provision as coming at an appropriate time, rather than describing a single feeding.
• The speaker turns from describing creatures to addressing God. The words “upon thee” and “thou mayest give” make the verse part of a direct address rather than an observation about animals alone.