What does Psalms 104:20 mean?

Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. Psalms 104:20

Explanation

Psalm 104:20 speaks of God’s sovereignty over the day and night, and how He, through His creation, provides for all living creatures. The verse suggests a continuous cycle of life that God orchestrates. The darkness is not merely the absence of light but is itself a created element that serves a purpose. It is during the night that the creatures of the forest, which could be interpreted as both literal animals and metaphorically as aspects of creation that thrive in darkness, emerge. The verse implies a wisdom and order in the natural world, reflecting God’s deliberate provision for all His creatures.

Historical Context

Psalms is an ancient book of poetic songs and prayers found in the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. Psalm 104 celebrates God’s creation and providence. Traditionally, King David has been credited with the authorship of many Psalms, but scholars now believe that Psalms were composed by multiple authors over a long period of time, possibly spanning from the 10th to the 5th centuries BCE. The Psalm, like many others, was likely used in temple worship, reciting God’s mastery over creation.

Theological Insights

Within Christian and Jewish thought, Psalm 104:20 expresses the theological affirmation that God is the creator and sustainer of all life. God’s governance includes even the times of darkness, suggesting that there is purpose and divine presence in all aspects of the created order. The verse implies that God is attentive to the needs of all creatures, not just humans, emphasizing a broader environmental and ecological sanctity in theological reflection.

Practical Applications

Psalm 104:20 can inspire reflection on the importance of respecting the natural order and the various cycles of life. It suggests a recognition of all creatures’ roles within the ecosystem and can be a call to stewardship of the environment. On a personal level, the verse can remind individuals to find purpose in every moment, even those that seem dark or uncertain, trusting in the wisdom of a higher order.

Cross-References

• 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.”
• Psalm 50:10 – “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.”
• Psalm 104:22-23 – “The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens. Man goeth forth unto his work and to his labour until the evening.”

Language Study

The key word in this verse is “darkness” (חשך, choshek in Hebrew), which has a literal meaning of absence of light, but also symbolic implications of obscurity or hiddenness. “Night” (לילה, laylah), in Hebrew, refers to the time of day after sunset, but can also indicate a time of inactivity or rest. “Beasts of the forest” (חיתו-יער, chayyeto-ya’ar) literally indicates the animals inhabiting the forests, creating an imagery of vitality and untamed nature.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Many ancient cultures had myths about night and day and the creatures associated with them. For instance, in ancient Greek mythology, Nyx was the goddess of the night, and many creatures, like the owl of Athena, were seen as symbols of night and wisdom. The clear delineation of roles and times for different aspects of creation in Psalm 104:20 aligns with a common theme in ancient Near Eastern traditions, where order is brought out of chaos by divine actions.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern understanding of ecology emphasizes the interdependence of nocturnal species and their role in the ecosystem, highlighting the significance of night for biodiversity. The verse can be seen as an acknowledgment of the intricacies within nature’s balance, where even periods of darkness are essential to the cycle of life, which resonates with scientific observations of diurnal cycles and their impact on wildlife behavior.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians offer a variety of interpretations on Psalm 104:20. Some perceive it as a simple acknowledgment of God’s creation cycle, while others delve into the symbolic implications of darkness in scripture, often associated with fear, evil, or the unknown. This verse, however, typically is seen as positive, focusing on the beauty and necessity of God’s creation, including the nocturnal order. Commentators often note that this Psalm as a whole reflects a deep appreciation for the natural world, a theme seen throughout the Biblical text.