Man’s Dominion Is Not a License to Destroy

When God created Adam and Eve, he said, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (Gen 1:28).

Some take this as a license for us to use the world and its resources as we please, defacing the earth, polluting the waters, exploiting resources without regard for future generations, slaughtering animals for fun or body parts, and the list goes on.
Psalm 104 is a song about how God cares for His mighty creation and His care for every part of it, from the birds in the branches to the badgers in the cliffs (vv. 1-23).

Verse 24 reminds us that all these things belong to God: “O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions” (v. 24, NKJV).