The day is Yours, and also the night; You established the moon and the sun. The day is YoursThis phrase acknowledges God's sovereignty over time and creation. The Hebrew word for "day" is "yom," which can refer to a 24-hour period or a specific time. In the context of ancient Israel, "day" was a symbol of order and divine providence. By declaring that the day belongs to God, the psalmist affirms that every moment is under His control, reflecting the belief that God is the ultimate ruler of the universe, as seen in Genesis 1:5 where God names the day. and also the night
The inclusion of "night" alongside "day" emphasizes God's dominion over all aspects of time. The Hebrew word for "night" is "layil," often associated with mystery and rest. In the ancient Near Eastern context, night was sometimes feared due to its darkness and the unknown. However, this phrase reassures believers that even the night, with all its uncertainties, is under God's watchful care, echoing the sentiment found in Psalm 139:12, where darkness is as light to God. You established
The verb "established" comes from the Hebrew root "kun," meaning to set up, fix, or make firm. This word conveys the idea of intentionality and stability. God's act of establishing the celestial bodies is not random but purposeful, reflecting His orderly nature. This mirrors the creation narrative in Genesis 1, where God systematically brings order to chaos, underscoring His role as the divine architect of the universe. the moon and the sun
The mention of "the moon and the sun" highlights the celestial bodies that govern the night and day. In Hebrew, "moon" is "yareach" and "sun" is "shemesh." These were not only physical lights but also symbols of God's provision and faithfulness. In the ancient world, many cultures worshiped the sun and moon as deities, but this verse firmly places them as creations of the one true God, serving His purposes. This aligns with Genesis 1:16, where God creates the greater and lesser lights to rule the day and night, reinforcing His supremacy over all creation. Persons / Places / Events 1. God (Yahweh)The Creator and Sustainer of all things, who is acknowledged as the owner of both day and night. 2. Day and NightRepresentations of time and the natural order, both of which are under God's sovereign control. 3. Moon and SunCelestial bodies created by God to govern the night and day, respectively, symbolizing His power and authority over creation. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over TimeRecognize that both day and night belong to God, reminding us of His control over every aspect of our lives. Creation Reflects God's GloryThe sun and moon are not just celestial bodies but testimonies to God's creative power and order. Trust in God's OrderJust as God established the natural order, we can trust Him to bring order and purpose to our lives. Dependence on God's ProvisionThe regularity of day and night reminds us of God's faithfulness and provision, encouraging us to rely on Him daily. Worship the CreatorLet the beauty and consistency of creation lead us to worship and praise God for His majesty and care. Bible Study Questions 1. How does recognizing God's ownership of day and night affect your daily routine and priorities? 2. In what ways can the regularity of the sun and moon serve as a reminder of God's faithfulness in your life? 3. How can you use the natural order of creation to share your faith with others? 4. What are some practical ways to incorporate worship of the Creator into your daily life? 5. How does understanding God's sovereignty over time help you trust Him in uncertain situations? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 1The creation account where God establishes the day and night, and creates the sun and moon, affirming His role as Creator. Psalm 19Describes the heavens declaring the glory of God, emphasizing the sun's role in revealing God's handiwork. Job 38God questions Job about the creation of the world, highlighting His control over the natural order, including day and night. Revelation 21In the new creation, there will be no need for the sun or moon, as God's glory will be the light, showing the ultimate fulfillment of His sovereignty. People Asaph, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Established, Giver, Hast, Luminaries, Luminary, Moon, Prepared, YoursDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 74:16 4212 astronomy
4251 moon
4284 sun
4810 darkness, natural
4834 light, natural
4921 day
4937 fate, fatalism
4957 night Psalm 74:1-23 6115 blame Psalm 74:10-18 8817 ridicule, objects of Psalm 74:12-17 8724 doubt, dealing with Psalm 74:16-17 1347 covenant, with Noah
4970 seasons, of year
8438 giving, of time Library The Meaning
Of the Red Dragon with Seven Heads fighting with Michael about the new-born Child. The first vision of the little book, of which we treated in the eleventh chapter, ran through the whole Apocalyptical course, from the beginning to the end, and that, as we elsewhere observed, to point out its connexion with the seals and trumpets. Now to that vision the remaining prophecies of the same interval, and of the affairs of the Church are to be accommodated, in order to complete the system of the little …
Joseph Mede—A Key to the ApocalypseThe Prophet of the Highest.
(LUKE I.) "Ye hermits blest, ye holy maids, The nearest heaven on earth, Who talk with God in shadowy glades, Free from rude care and mirth; To whom some viewless Teacher brings The secret love of rural things, The moral of each fleeting cloud and gale, The whispers from above, that haunt the twilight vale." KEBLE. Formative Influences--A Historical Parallel--The Burning of the Vanities--"Sent from God" "Thou, child, shalt be called the Prophet of the Most High"--thus Zacharias addressed his infant …
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist How those are to be Admonished who Abstain not from the Sins which they Bewail, and those Who, Abstaining from Them, Bewail them Not.
(Admonition 31.) Differently to be admonished are those who lament their transgressions, and yet forsake them not, and those who forsake them, and yet lament them not. For those who lament their transgressions and yet forsake them not are to be admonished to learn to consider anxiously that they cleanse themselves in vain by their weeping, if they wickedly defile themselves in their living, seeing that the end for which they wash themselves in tears is that, when clean, they may return to filth. …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Wisdom of God
The next attribute is God's wisdom, which is one of the brightest beams of the Godhead. He is wise in heart.' Job 9:9. The heart is the seat of wisdom. Cor in Hebraeo sumitur pro judicio. Pineda. Among the Hebrews, the heart is put for wisdom.' Let men of understanding tell me:' Job 34:44: in the Hebrew, Let men of heart tell me.' God is wise in heart, that is, he is most wise. God only is wise; he solely and wholly possesses all wisdom; therefore he is called, the only wise God.' I Tim 1:17. All …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Balaam's Prophecy. (Numb. xxiv. 17-19. )
Carried by the Spirit into the far distant future, Balaam sees here how a star goeth out of Jacob and a sceptre riseth out of Israel, and how this sceptre smiteth Moab, by whose enmity the Seer had been brought from a distant region for the destruction of Israel. And not Moab only shall be smitten, but its southern neighbour, Edom, too shall be subdued, whose hatred against Israel had already been prefigured in its ancestor, and had now begun to display Itself; and In general, all the enemies of …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Jesus Makes a Preaching Tour through Galilee.
^A Matt. IV. 23-25; ^B Mark I. 35-39; ^C Luke IV. 42-44. ^b 35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he rose up went out [i. e., from the house of Simon Peter], and departed into a desert place, and there prayed. [Though Palestine was densely populated, its people were all gathered into towns, so that it was usually easy to find solitude outside the city limits. A ravine near Capernaum, called the Vale of Doves, would afford such solitude. Jesus taught (Matt. vi. 6) and practiced solitary …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined. C ontrasts are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those, who by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 74:16 NIVPsalm 74:16 NLTPsalm 74:16 ESVPsalm 74:16 NASBPsalm 74:16 KJV
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