104:5 foundations of the earth. The earth’s “matter”—that is, the “dust of the earth,” or its physical elements—was created on the first day of creation week, evidently suspended in the pervasive waters. The earth’s foundations, solid, continental blocks of material, were not laid until the third day, rising thence out of the waters. Once formed, this planet earth was destined to continue forever.

104:6 with the deep. The completed earth was later once again covered with water at the time of the great Flood when the waters rose above all the mountains (Genesis 7:19,20) of the antediluvian world.

104:7 they fled. God intervened to end the Flood (Genesis 8:1). The words “fled” and “hasted” indicate very rapid drainage, implying much geological work being done.

104:8 down by the valleys. The sense of this statement is: “The mountains rise; the basins sink down.” This post-diluvian mountain-building epoch permitted the Flood waters to drain off into the new ocean basins.

104:9 may not pass over. Such a Flood can never occur again, in accordance with God’s promise to Noah (Genesis 9:11-15).