Psalms 104:20

Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep [forth].

Thou makest {H7896} darkness {H2822}, and it is night {H3915}: wherein all the beasts {H2416} of the forest {H3293} do creep {H7430} forth.

You bring darkness, and it is night, the time when all forest animals prowl.

You bring darkness, and it becomes night, when all the beasts of the forest prowl.

Thou makest darkness, and it is night, Wherein all the beasts of the forest creep forth.

Commentary

Context

Psalms 104 is a magnificent hymn of praise to God as the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It parallels the creation account in Genesis 1, detailing God's wisdom and power in establishing the heavens, earth, waters, and all living things. This particular verse, Psalms 104:20, transitions from the activities of the day to the realm of night, showcasing God's meticulous ordering of both light and darkness for specific purposes within the natural world.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty over Natural Cycles: The phrase "Thou makest darkness, and it is night" emphasizes God's direct and active control over fundamental natural phenomena. Night is not merely an absence of light but a deliberate creation by God, highlighting His absolute authority over the cosmos.
  • Order and Purpose in Creation: The night serves a specific, divinely ordained purpose. It is the time "wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth," demonstrating God's intricate design where every part of creation, including the cycles of day and night, has a function and a place. This order points to a wise and intentional Creator.
  • God's Provision for All Creatures: This verse illustrates God's comprehensive care, extending even to the wild animals. He provides the conditions necessary for their survival and activity, allowing nocturnal creatures to emerge and seek their sustenance during the hours of darkness. This theme of divine provision is echoed throughout the Psalms, such as in Psalms 147:9 regarding His feeding of the young ravens.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "creep [forth]" is ramas (Χ¨ΦΈΧžΦ·Χ©Χ‚), which signifies movement, crawling, or swarming. While it can refer to smaller creatures, in this context, it broadly describes the emergence and activity of nocturnal animals of the forest, from predators to prey, as they begin their nightly routines. It conveys a sense of them stirring and moving about under the cover of darkness, as part of God's established order.

Practical Application

Psalms 104:20 offers a profound reminder of God's detailed and continuous involvement in His creation. If God orchestrates the precise timing of day and night and provides for the intricate needs of wild animals, then His care for humanity, made in His image, is even more certain. This verse encourages us to trust in God's providential care for every aspect of our lives, knowing that He is a God of order, purpose, and abundant provision. It also invites us to marvel at the wisdom evident in the natural world and to give Him glory for His magnificent works. As the psalm continues, we see how God provides for these creatures even as they seek their prey in the night.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 45:7

    I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these [things].

  • Psalms 74:16

    The day [is] thine, the night also [is] thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.

  • Psalms 50:10

    For every beast of the forest [is] mine, [and] the cattle upon a thousand hills.

  • Amos 1:13

    Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of the children of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because they have ripped up the women with child of Gilead, that they might enlarge their border:

  • Genesis 8:22

    While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

  • Genesis 1:4

    And God saw the light, that [it was] good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

  • Genesis 1:5

    And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.