Psalm 104:22
ESV
When the sun rises, they steal away and lie down in their dens.
NIV
The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens.
NASB
When the sun rises they withdraw, And they lie down in their dens.
CSB
The sun rises; they go back and lie down in their dens.
NLT
At dawn they slink back into their dens to rest.
KJV
The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
NKJV
When the sun rises, they gather together And lie down in their dens.
What does Psalm 104:22 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 104, verse-level content coming soon!Psalm 104:5–30 celebrates God's greatness as demonstrated in creation. All animals, all resources, all climates, and all environments are part of His design. So, too, are the sun and moon which are used to divide time. The Lord established every aspect of these natural elements. Without Him, nothing could exist. Only He creates and controls life. This is a more extensive description than other psalms which touch on creation (Psalm 8; 19; 24; 65; 95; 102; 121; 147).
The psalmist praises the Lord for His creation. God is credited with establishing the earth, setting boundaries for bodies of water, and providing water and food for animals and human beings. What God has made includes proper living spaces for all sorts of life. He set the motions of the sun and moon. All creation owes its existence to God's Spirit. The psalmist resolves to continue praising the Lord while hoping that the wicked will be removed from earth.
