Psalms 104:20

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

Psalms 104:20 in Other Translations

KJV
20 Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth.
ESV
20 You make darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep about.
NLT
20 You send the darkness, and it becomes night, when all the forest animals prowl about.
MSG
20 When it's dark and night takes over, all the forest creatures come out.
CSB
20 You bring darkness, and it becomes night, when all the forest animals stir.

Psalms 104:20 Meaning and 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 Genesis 1:4 Genesis 1:5 ) 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 do not care to come to the light, lest they should be reproved; particularly drunkards, adulterers, thieves, and murderers, ( John 3:20 John 3:21 ) ( 1 Thessalonians 5:7 ) ( Job 24:13-17 ) . So the Scribes and Pharisees, when they consulted to take away the life of Christ, and agreed with Judas to betray him, did it in the night: so false teachers, who are wolves in sheep's clothing, when it is a night of darkness with the church, take the advantage of it, to creep about and spread their pernicious doctrines; see ( 2 Timothy 3:6 ) ( Jude 1:4 ) .

Psalms 104:20 In-Context

18 The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the hyrax.
19 He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.
20 You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl.
21 The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens.

Cross References 3

  • 1. Isaiah 45:7; Amos 5:8
  • 2. Psalms 74:16
  • 3. S Psalms 50:10
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