Bible Commentary

Psalms 104:19-30

Matthew Henry on Psalms 104:19-30

Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · Matthew Henry · CC0 1.0 Universal

We are to praise and magnify God for the constant succession of day and night. And see how those are like to the wild beasts, who wait for the twilight, and have fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.

Does God listen to the language of mere nature, even in ravenous creatures, and shall he not much more interpret favourably the language of grace in his own people, though weak and broken groanings which cannot be uttered?

There is the work of every day, which is to be done in its day, which man must apply to every morning, and which he must continue in till evening; it will be time enough to rest when the night comes, in which no man can work.

The psalmist wonders at the works of God. The works of art, the more closely they are looked upon, the more rough they appear; the works of nature appear more fine and exact. They are all made in wisdom, for they all answer the end they were designed to serve.

Every spring is an emblem of the resurrection, when a new world rises, as it were, out of the ruins of the old one. But man alone lives beyond death. When the Lord takes away his breath, his soul enters on another state, and his body will be raised, either to glory or to misery.

May the Lord send forth his Spirit, and new-create our souls to holiness.

Recommended reading

More for Psalms 104:19-30

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:1-35Psalms 104:1-35 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe 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…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:1-35Psalms 104:1-35 · The Pulpit CommentaryGod'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 highe…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:1-35Psalms 104:1-35 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION "THE psalmist, in a time of severe trouble, arising from the power of the heathen, seeks consolation in reflecting on the greatness of God in nature," So Hengstenberg, correctly. The main topic of the psalm (…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:1-35Psalms 104:1-35 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe 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.…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:19Psalms 104:19 · The Pulpit CommentaryHe appointed the moon for seasons (comp. Genesis 1:14). The Jewish festivals depended greatly on the moon, the Passover being celebrated at the time of the full moon of the first month (Exodus 12:6), and the other festi…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:19Psalms 104:19 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe psalm of creation: the fourth day. The order of Genesis is departed from, the moon being named first; nor does the psalm tell of the purpose for which the sun, moon, and stars were formed, as does Genesis; nor does…
commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:1-35The 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.…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:1-35The 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…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:1-35God'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 highe…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:1-35EXPOSITION "THE psalmist, in a time of severe trouble, arising from the power of the heathen, seeks consolation in reflecting on the greatness of God in nature," So Hengstenberg, correctly. The main topic of the psalm (…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:19He appointed the moon for seasons (comp. Genesis 1:14). The Jewish festivals depended greatly on the moon, the Passover being celebrated at the time of the full moon of the first month (Exodus 12:6), and the other festi…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:19The psalm of creation: the fourth day. The order of Genesis is departed from, the moon being named first; nor does the psalm tell of the purpose for which the sun, moon, and stars were formed, as does Genesis; nor does…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:20The 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 t…Joseph S. Exell and contributorscommentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 104:23The psalm of creation: the sixth day-the creation of man. We ask— I. WHY DID GOD CREATE MAN? Many think that life is not worth living. Existence is so much pure misfortune. The denial of the Christian faith and hopeless…Joseph S. Exell and contributors