The Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Creationism (2018)

Barrick, W.D. 2018. Exegetical analysis of Psalm 104:8 and its possible implications for interpreting the geological record. In Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Creationism , ed. J.H. Whitmore, pp. 95–102. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Creation Science Fellowship. EXEGETICALANALYSIS OF PSALM 104:8 AND ITS POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERPRETING THE GEOLOGIC RECORD William D. Barrick , The Master’s Seminary, 13248 Roscoe Blvd Sun Valley, CA 91352 billbarrick@att.net ABSTRACT This paper performs a detailed exegesis of Psalm 104:8 and its context (Psalm 104:5–10) in the original Hebrew to identify the timing and nature of the events about which the psalmist writes. The exegetical analysis includes the text’s poetic structure and devices, as well as its grammar and vocabulary. That interpretive process results in some significant implications. The analysis of Psalm 104:8 in its context supports a possible reference to a global cataclysmic Flood. Therefore, the psalmist’s declaration that “The mountains rose; the valleys sank down” might correspond with tectonic activity during and after the Flood. “To the place which You established for them” indicates the configuration of the earth’s surface after an uplift of mountains and lowering of valleys. KEY WORDS Psalm 104, creation, chaos, literary structure, “deep,” “rebuke,” Flood, Genesis, global tectonics, world rift system, continent(s), orogeny, ocean basins Copyright 2018 Creation Science Fellowship, Inc., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA www.creationicc.org 95 INTRODUCTION Flood models offered by creationists continue to require research and revision in two areas related, at least in part, to how one interprets Psalm 104:6–9. Oard and Reed (2017) speak of the need to identify “the mechanism by which land as large as continents rose and other areas up to the size of ocean basins sank” and “the mechanisms that created the surface features of the planet during and after the Flood” (p. 72). Later in their volume they bring Psalm 104 into their discussion of some potential mechanisms. Like Snelling (2009, vol. 2, pp. 473–474, 752), Oard and Reed (2017, pp. 95, 171-172), associate Psalm 104:6–9 with vertical earth movements during and immediately following the biblical Flood. However, the vast majority of Bible commentators limit Psalm 104:6–9 to the event of creation, not to the Flood of Noah’s time. Other creationists agree with most commentators and take Psalm 104 as a reference only to creation (cf. Northrup 1990, p. 187). Can a case be made for the minority interpretation of the biblical text? What are the exegetical evidences that might overturn the majority interpretation? On the one hand, if the text speaks only of creation, then biblical models depicting the geological events of the Flood must eliminate Psalm 104:6–9 from their argumentation. On the other hand, if exegetical analysis shows that the text refers to events related to the Flood, geologists must take the text into account in producing their Flood models. In order to exegete the biblical text of Psalm 104, one must work with the original Hebrew. If the Hebrewdoes not support a particular interpretation, the exegete must discard that interpretation and proceed to a better and more supportable conclusion. Psalm 104:6– 9 provides a few challenges since commentators have argued for two different positions regarding the text’s historical reference. One approach concludes that the topic remains original creation as reflected in Genesis 1. A second approach, however, sees a change of reference to the Flood of Noah’s time. Although the text could move from creation in verses 1–5 to the Flood in verses 6–9 or continue an unbroken description of creation throughout, it cannot take both of these paths simultaneously. The exegete must examine the structure, syntax, and vocabulary of these verses in order to accurately identify their meaning. The difficulty of the interpretive problem causes some commentators to weave implied references to the Flood into Psalm 104:5–9 without noting any change from creation as the true topic. Grogan (2008) reaches just such a conclusion: Verses 5–9 do not simply state but picture the ordering of the waters, and the reference to ‘the deep’ in verse 6 makes clear that this too is God’s creation. ‘Rebuke’ does not here imply judgment, but simply makes vivid the portrayal of a Creator in absolute control of the elements. It is possible v. 9 not only echoes Gen 1:9–10, but also the postdiluvian promise of Gen 8:21–22; 9:8–17. (p. 174) Analysis of the biblical text should move beyond the exegetical foundation to offer suggestions for scientific investigation of geological evidences related to a global Flood. As Gerstenberger (2001) notes: “We may say that a scientific interest of sorts informs the section under debate [vv. 5–23], while the preceding part (vv. 2–4), with its stereotypical participial expressions, is dedicated exclusively to the cosmic Overlord himself” (p. 223). Gerstenberger probably does not intend the science of geology in his “scientific interest of sorts.” He most likely means that the referents of verses 5–23 can be observed in the current physical world. However, the very fact that present observations have a bearing on the psalmist’s description should encourage readers to be alert to the physical evidences thus implied for either creation or Flood. EXEGETICALANALYSIS This exegetical study of Psalm 104:8 commences with a brief statement about the implications of literary genre and then examines the overall structure of the psalm. Context determines meaning and the literary structure of any biblical text reveals the flow of its contents within their immediate context. For the purpose of consistency, this study will cite the New American Standard Bible updated edition of 1995 (NASB95). When necessary the author may choose to offer an alternative translation in keeping with the Hebrew text. Following the structural analysis, the examination will continue with grammatical analysis and key word studies.