The moon and stars to rule by night
The lesser lights, and which indeed receive all their light Front the sun, ( Genesis 1:16 ) ;
for his mercy [endureth] for ever;
in continuing these lights, so useful to men, as well as in making of them: the moon and stars have their benign influences upon the earth, to produce things out of it useful to men; see ( Deuteronomy 33:14 ) ( Job 38:31 ) ; and are of singular service to benighted travellers, and to those that go down to the sea in ships; see ( Acts 27:20 ) . The moon is an emblem of the church, that receives her light from Christ, the sun, and which will continue for ever; and, stars are emblems of Gospel ministers, who are the means of enlightening dark souls, and of refreshing disconsolate saints; and are a continued mercy to an ignorant world, as well as to the church, and will be continued as long as it stands; see ( Song of Solomon 6:10 ) ( Revelation 1:20 ) ( 2:1 ) ( Matthew 5:14 ) ( 28:20 ) .