John Calvin Commentary Psalms 104:5

"Who laid the foundations of the earth, That it should not be moved for ever." — Psalms 104:5 (ASV)

He hath founded the earth upon its foundations. Here the prophet celebrates God's glory, as it is manifested in the stability of the earth. Since it is suspended in the middle of the air and supported only by pillars of water, how does it keep its place so firmly that it cannot be moved?

I indeed grant that this may be explained by natural principles, for the earth, occupying the lowest place as the center of the world, naturally settles there. But even in this design, God's wonderful power is clearly displayed. Again, if the waters are higher than the earth because they are lighter, why do they not cover the entire earth?

Certainly, the only answer philosophers can give to this is that God's providence counteracts the waters' tendency to do so, in order that a dwelling place might be provided for humankind. If they do not admit that the waters are restrained by God's specific decree, they betray not only their depravity and ingratitude but also their ignorance, and are utterly unenlightened.

The prophet, therefore, with good reason, recounts among God's miracles something that would be completely unbelievable to us, if experience itself did not show its truth. We are very contemptible indeed if, taught by such an undeniable proof, we do not learn that nothing in the world is stable except insofar as it is sustained by God's hand.

The world did not originate on its own; consequently, the entire order of nature depends on nothing other than His decree, by which each element has its own unique characteristic. Furthermore, the prophet's language should not be seen merely as an encouragement to give thanks to God; it is also intended to strengthen our confidence regarding the future, so that we may not live in the world in a state of constant fear and anxiety—as we would have, if God had not testified that He has given the earth as a dwelling place for humans.

It is a unique blessing that He gives us, by causing us to live on the earth with undisturbed minds, giving us the assurance that He has established it on everlasting pillars. Although cities often perish by earthquakes, yet the body of the earth itself remains. Indeed, all the disturbances that happen to it more fully confirm to us the truth that the earth would be swallowed up at any moment if it were not preserved by God's secret power.