Psalm 104:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 104:19-30

We are here taught to praise and magnify God, I. For the constant revolutions and succession of day and night, and the dominion of sun and moon over them. The heathen were so affected with the light and influence of the sun and moon, and their serviceableness to the earth, that they worshipped them as deities; and therefore the scripture takes all occasions to show that the gods they worshipped are the creatures and servants of the true God (Ps. 104:19): He appointed the moon for seasons, for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 104:20

Thou makest darkness, and it is night ,.... The darkness was before the light, and the night before the day, Genesis 1:2 and now the darkness and night are made by the setting of the sun before mentioned; see Isaiah 45:7 . Wherein all the beasts of the field do creep forth ; out of their dens, and range about for their prey, as the evening wolves and others: and these are not the only creatures that choose the night and darkness; all wicked men do the same; whose deeds are evil, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 104:20

Thou makest darkness - It is not the design of God that there should be either constant darkness or constant light. That man may labor, he gives him, by means of the sun, the light of the day; and that he may rest from his labor, and get his strength recruited, he gives him night, and comparative darkness. And as it would not be convenient for man and the wild beasts of the forest to collect their food at the same time, he has given the night to them as the proper time to procure their prey,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:1-35

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:1-35

The greatness of God. This psalm, charged with the truest poetry, sings of the greatness of God ( Psalms 104:1 ) and of the heritage of man. The subjects are inseparably mingled. Of the former we have suggested to us - I. HIS GLORY . ( Psalms 104:1 , Psalms 104:2 , Psalms 104:31 .) II. HIS POWER . ( Psalms 104:3-9 .) The winds are his messengers; the fire is his servant; the clouds are his chariot; the waters flee at his command; the ocean stays at the bound he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:1-35

The heritage of man. The psalmist sings of the greatness of God ( supra ) , and also of the fair heritage bestowed upon us. This includes— I. SUFFICIENCY AND VARIETY OF FOOD . "These [all the living creatures, including man, that have been specified] wait on thee, that thou mayest give them their food," etc. ( Psalms 104:27 ); and the "herb" ( Psalms 104:14 ), for the service of man, stands for all the variety of fruits and vegetables with which our need is met and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:1-35

God's love for living creatures. This psalm celebrates and proves it. For, see— I. HE HAS PLACED THEM EVERYWHERE . The sea, the air, the land, all teem with it, as this psalm tells. And the lower life points to the higher, and proclaims that when God's will is done, that, too, shall fill earth and heaven. II. HE HAS ABUNDANTLY PROVIDED FOR THEM . Food, habitation, refuge ( Psalms 104:16-18 ). And Christ came, that we might have life, and have it more... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:20

The Divine mission of the darkness. "Thou makest darkness, and it is night." What arrests the attention of the psalmist is the twofold mission of the darkness. It is a call to activity for some creatures; it is a call to rest for others. In a very striking article, Isaac Taylor showed that there were only one or two nights in each year that could be considered absolutely dark, and those few nights had a peculiar mission, which made them essentials in the economy of nature. Darkness is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 104:20-21

Thou makest darkness, and it is night. The mention of the moon and sun introduces a picture of night ( Psalms 104:20 , Psalms 104:21 ) and a picture of the day ( Psalms 104:22 , Psalms 104:23 ). The day draws in—darkness descends—night is come. At once there is a stir in the animal world. Man has gone to his rest; but the time is arrived wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The primeval jungle is alive with motion and sound. All the animals are on the alert. seeking... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 104:20

Thou makest darkness, and it is night - Thou hast made arrangements for the return of night - for the alternations of day and night. The Hebrew word rendered “makest,” means “to place;” and the idea is, that God constitutes the darkness, or so disposes things that it occurs.Wherein all the beasts of the forest - The margin is, “the beasts thereof do trample on the forest.” The reference is to the beasts which seek their prey at night.Do creep forth - The Hebrew word used here means properly “to... read more

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