Psalms 104:19

¶ He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

He appointed {H6213} the moon {H3394} for seasons {H4150}: the sun {H8121} knoweth {H3045} his going down {H3996}.

You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set.

He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set.

He appointed the moon for seasons: The sun knoweth his going down.

Commentary

Psalm 104:19 celebrates God's intentional design and ordering of the cosmos, specifically the celestial bodies.

Context

Psalm 104 is a magnificent hymn praising God as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It surveys various aspects of creation, from the heavens and waters to the earth, plants, animals, and the human domain, highlighting God's power, wisdom, and meticulous care in each. Verse 19 fits within a section describing God's ordering of the sky and its inhabitants, showing His control over light and darkness, day and night.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty over Creation: God is not merely a distant observer but the active ordainer of the universe's operations.
  • Order and Regularity: The predictable cycles of the moon and sun demonstrate the inherent order God built into creation.
  • Purpose of Celestial Bodies: The moon and sun serve specific functions, including marking time, seasons, and the transition between day and night.
  • God's Wisdom and Power: The intricate design and reliable functioning of the heavenly bodies reflect God's immense wisdom and power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "appointed" (עָשָׂה, 'asah) can mean made, done, or appointed, suggesting a deliberate act of God in establishing the moon's role. "Seasons" (מוֹעֲדִים, mo'adim) refers to appointed times or festivals, highlighting the moon's function in regulating the calendar, including religious feasts. The phrase "the sun knoweth his going down" anthropomorphizes the sun, emphasizing its reliable and predictable cycle, obeying God's command.

Reflection and Application

This verse reminds us that the regular, predictable cycles of nature—the turning of seasons, the reliable setting of the sun—are not random occurrences but are orchestrated by God. This divine order in the cosmos serves as a tangible testament to God's faithfulness and reliability. Just as we can trust the sun to set and the moon to mark seasons, we can trust the God who established these laws. The purpose of these lights in the sky, as stated in Genesis 1:14, was precisely to divide day from night and to mark seasons, days, and years. The consistent rhythm of creation points to a dependable Creator who upholds all things by the word of His power (Hebrews 1:3).

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 1:14

    ¶ And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

  • Genesis 1:18

    And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that [it was] good.

  • Jeremiah 31:35

    ¶ Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, [and] the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts [is] his name:

  • Psalms 136:7

    To him that made great lights: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:

  • Psalms 136:9

    The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

  • Psalms 19:6

    His going forth [is] from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

  • Job 38:12

    ¶ Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; [and] caused the dayspring to know his place;