Psalm 74:16

16 The day is thine, and the night is thine; thou hast prepared the sun and the moon.

Psalm 74:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 74:16

The day is thine, and the night also is thine
He made the one and the other, and divided the one from the other; and can make them longer or shorter, clear or cloudy, as he pleases: and the day of prosperity and night of adversity are at his disposal; all the times of his people and of his church are in his hands; sometimes it is a night of darkness, deadness, sleepiness, and security, as it now is; ere long there will be no more night, but bright day; the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be seven fold as the light of seven days; and this is to be expected from him whose is the day and the night also, ( Revelation 21:25 ) ( Isaiah 40:1 ) ( 30:26 ) . Jarchi interprets the day, of the redemption of Israel; and the night, of distresses and afflictions:

thou hast prepared the light and the sun;
first the light, and then the sun; for the light was before the sun; or the luminary, even the sun. Aben Ezra interprets the "light" of the moon, and so the Targum; and Kimchi, both of the moon and of the stars; Jarchi takes the light figuratively to be meant of the light of the law; but it is much better to understand it of the light of the Gospel, which God has prepared, and will send forth more largely in the latter day, whereby the whole earth shall be lightened; and when Christ the "sun" of righteousness will arise with healing in his wings, and who gives both the light of grace and glory to his people.

Psalm 74:16 In-Context

14 Thou didst break to pieces the heads of the dragon; thou didst give him for meat to the Ethiopian nations.

15 Thou didst cleave fountains and torrents; thou driedst up mighty rivers.

16 The day is thine, and the night is thine; thou hast prepared the sun and the moon.

17 Thou hast made all the borders of the earth; thou hast made summer and spring.

18 Remember this thy creation: an enemy has reproached the Lord, and a foolish people has provoked thy name.