Psalms 104:20

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

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 are for the wild goats; the cliffs, a refuge for the rock-badgers.

19 He made the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth its going down.

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

21 The young lions roar after the prey, and to seek their food from God.

22 The sun ariseth, they retreat, and lay them down in their dens.