Psalms 104:20
Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
Original Language Analysis
חֹ֭שֶׁךְ
darkness
H2822
חֹ֭שֶׁךְ
darkness
Strong's:
H2822
Word #:
2 of 9
the dark; hence (literally) darkness; figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness
וִ֣יהִי
H1961
וִ֣יהִי
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
3 of 9
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לָ֑יְלָה
and it is night
H3915
לָ֑יְלָה
and it is night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
תִ֝רְמֹ֗שׂ
do creep
H7430
תִ֝רְמֹ֗שׂ
do creep
Strong's:
H7430
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, to glide swiftly, i.e., to crawl or move with short steps; by analogy to swarm
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 9
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Night's dangers were real in the ancient world—wild animals hunted, and travel was hazardous. Yet this verse celebrates night as part of God's good design, serving His purposes for creation.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between accepting God's ordained limits (like night/rest) and evil darkness that must be resisted?
- What does God's design of both day and night teach about the rhythm of work and rest in your life?
Analysis & Commentary
God makes darkness and it becomes night, when 'all the beasts of the forest creep forth.' Even darkness serves God's purposes, providing time for nocturnal creatures to emerge. Darkness isn't evil here but part of creation's rhythm. Night has its proper function in God's design. This contrasts with darkness as metaphor for evil elsewhere. Christ is the light (John 8:12) who overcomes evil darkness, yet He also ordained physical darkness for rest and certain creatures' activity. The Reformed understanding distinguishes between creation's good darkness and sin's moral darkness.