Psalms 104:6 Meaning: When Waters Covered the Earth, Creation or Flood?
You covered it with the deep as with a cloak. The waters stood above the mountains.
Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a garment: the waters stood above the mountains.
Thou coveredst it with the deep as with a vesture; The waters stood above the mountains.
The abyss! as with clothing Thou hast covered it, Above hills do waters stand.
Thou hadst covered it with the deep, as with a vesture; the waters stood above the mountains:
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 104:6 describes God covering the earth with the deep like a garment. Is this the flood or creation? Discover the meaning of this powerful verse.
Context
Psalm 104 is a song of creation, a poem that celebrates God's majesty in the world around us. The poet begins by picturing God as a king wrapped in light, stretching out the sky like a tent. In verses 5-9 he turns to the earth itself. Before there were seas or dry land, the whole earth lay under water. This verse describes that moment: the deep covering everything like a cloak. The next verses tell how God spoke, and the waters fled to their places, forming the oceans we know. The language echoes the creation account in Genesis, but some also hear the flood story. Either way, the point is clear: God is the one who sets the boundaries.
Key Words
Two Hebrew words carry the weight here. Tehom ('the deep') is the same word from Genesis 1:2, the dark watery chaos before God spoke order. Here God uses it as a garment, not something wild, but something He controls. And levush means clothing or a robe. The verb kasah ('covered') can mean to conceal or to clothe for protection. So God wraps the earth in waters the way you put on a coat. This is not a threat; it is the beginning of His design. The water is deep enough to cover the highest mountains, yet it is spread by His hand.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have read this verse in two main ways. Many, from the early church onward, see it as the original creation. The poet looks back to when the earth was formless and the deep covered everything (Genesis 1:2). Others, like the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, connect it to the flood in Genesis 7:19, when the waters rose and covered the highest mountains. Both views have been held by faithful readers of Scripture. What they share is confidence that God is the one who commands the waters, whether at creation or in judgment.
A common misunderstanding
Some assume this verse describes Noah's flood. In fact, most commentators connect it to the creation account in Genesis 1:2. The surrounding verses talk about God laying the foundations of the earth and later setting boundaries for the waters, which matches the order of creation, not the flood's aftermath. The flood story tells of judgment and rescue; this verse celebrates the original order God made.
Living This Out
Think about something in your life that feels like a flood, a situation that covers everything and leaves you disoriented. This verse pictures God wrapping the whole earth in deep waters, but He is the one doing the covering. He is not overwhelmed by the chaos; He spread it Himself. Later He called it to retreat. What feels out of control today? Start by naming it to God. The same God who set boundaries for the ocean can bring order to what seems flooded in your life. You don't have to fix it; He already knows how.
Main takeaway: God covers the chaotic deep like a garment, sovereign over all creation and able to bring order from disorder.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God made the whole world. At first, water covered everything, even the mountains. He put the water like a blanket. Then He told the water to move, and dry land appeared.
For ages 9, 12
Long before there were people, God covered the earth completely with water, even the highest mountains. He did it on purpose, like putting a coat on. Then He commanded the water to go to special places, creating seas and dry land. This shows God is in charge of everything, even things that seem wild and uncontrollable.
Questions People Ask
Does Psalm 104:6 describe the flood or creation?
Most commentators understand it as the original creation when the earth was covered by water (Genesis 1:2). Some see references to Noah's flood. The context of the psalm points to creation.
What does 'the deep' mean in Hebrew?
'The deep' translates tehom, the same word used in Genesis 1:2 for the dark watery chaos before God ordered creation. It often refers to the primordial ocean.
Why does the psalmist say the waters stood above the mountains?
The poet pictures the earth in its earliest form, entirely submerged. This is poetic language to emphasize God's power over the waters, they were higher than the highest mountains, yet under His control.
How is this verse connected to Genesis 1?
The language directly echoes Genesis 1:2. The psalm is a poetic retelling of creation, celebrating God's wisdom and power in forming the world.
What does it mean that God covered the earth 'as with a garment'?
This intimate image shows God's sovereignty. He clothes the earth with the waters, showing that even chaos is under His command and order is His design.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study