Frolic

Psalm 104 is a beautiful Psalm celebrating the breath-taking bounty of creation. In verse 25-26 it talks about Leviathan:

There is the sea, vast and spacious,

teeming with creatures beyond number--

living things both large and small.

There the ships go to and fro,

and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. 

Leviathan is an Old Testament catch-all phrase that seems to encompass all creatures from whales or sea monsters to huge gliding serpents and such-like creatures. (A bit like the Loch Ness monster).

Leviathan comes from Caananite myths, and was one of the terrifying creatures they had to ward off by sacrifices and offerings to placate the gods.

In sharp contrast to Canaanite superstitions, Psalm 104 paints a wonderful picture of God creating the universe with Power, Precision and Purpose. (Read the whole Psalm to see what I mean)

But it's the sense of purpose in the Psalm that I love. Verses 10-11 talk about the streams that pour into the ravines and flow through the mountains to "give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst."

And then, our text which speaks of the ocean as a transport medium and playground for Leviathan. Leviathan is not a dark primordial monster to be feared. He is a creature God created to FROLIC.  

What a lovely picture of a God who creates with purpose and that part of that purpose is to FROLIC!

Let's frolic through today as we consider the awesome space God has given us to play in! Creation is given to be enjoyed!