Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 104:22
The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
22. they gather themselves together ] Better as R.V., they get them away.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The sun ariseth – A new scene in this endless variety of incidents in a world full of life and beauty. The psalmist sees the light break in the east, and the sun appear above the horizon – and the whole scene is changed. The animals that had gone forth at night are seen to return again to their hiding-places, and man in his turn Psa 104:23 is seen to go forth to his daily toil.
They gather themselves together – Though scattered in the night, when light returns, they all bend their steps to the places where they are accustomed to repose in the daytime. The scene is most beautiful. At night they sally forth for their prey; when the morning light returns, they all retrace their steps to the places in dens and caverns where they pass the day, and there they repose in silence until night returns again.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 22. The sun ariseth] The dawn of day is the warning for man to arise and betake himself to his work; and is the warning to them to retire to their dens.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Or rather, they retire or betake themselves; for the lions do not commonly go in companies to one place, but severally, each to his own den.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together,…. Having gone some one way, some another, seeking their prey; but upon the sun’s rising gather together in order to return from whence they came, abhorring the light of the sun, as some creatures do, and fearing being hunted and taken by men, the fear of whom is still in some measure upon the beasts of the field, Ge 9:2. So wicked men do not care for the light of the day, nor do false teachers choose to come to the light of the word; these owls and bats, these, as Tertullian calls them; and Satan himself chooses to set upon persons when they are in darkness, and in melancholy and disconsolate frames; and is afraid of believers, when they put on the armour of light, especially the shield of faith, and resist him with it, then he flees from them.
And lay them down in their dens; for rest and safety, and to feed themselves and young ones with the ravin they bring with them; see So 4:8.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
22. The sun shall rise The Psalmist continues to prosecute the same subject, showing that God so distributes the successions of time, as that the day belongs properly to man. Did not God put a restraint upon so many wild beasts which are hostile to us, the human race would soon become extinct. As wild beasts since the fall of man may seem to be born to do us hurt, and to rend and tear in pieces all whom they meet with, this savage cruelty must be kept under check by the providence of God. And in order to keep them shut up within their dens, the only means which he employs is to inspire them with terror, simply by the light of the sun. This instance of divine goodness, the prophet commends the more on account of its necessity; for were it otherwise, men would have no liberty to go forth to engage in the labors and business of life. Man being thus protected by the light against the violence and injuries of wild beasts, in this is to be seen the unparalleled goodness of God, who in so fatherly a manner has provided for his convenience and welfare.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(22) Lay them down.With sunrise all is changed. The Wild animals, with their savage instincts, give way to man with his orderly habits and arranged duties. The curse of labour, on which the account in Genesis dwells, is here entirely out of sight, and instead there appears the poetry of labour. And if all sense of the primal curse has disappeared, the later curse, which lies so heavy on the modern generations of overworked men,
Who make perpetual moan,
Still from one labour to another thrown,
has not appeared. The day brings only healthy toil, and the evening happy rest.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
22. The sun ariseth The signal for the wild beasts to retire, and for man to go forth.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 104:22 The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.
Ver. 22. They yather themselves toyether ] viz. Into their dens and lurking holes, smitten with fear of light and of men. A sweet providence, but little considered.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Job 24:13-17, Nah 3:17, Joh 3:20
Reciprocal: Job 37:8 – General Job 38:13 – the wicked
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 104:22-23. The sun ariseth For as he knows the time of his going down, so, thanks be to God, he knows the proper time of his rising, and then the wild beasts gather themselves together Or, rather, withdraw themselves, or retire, as , jeaseephu, may be rendered; and lay them down in their dens Which is a great mercy to mankind, who can now go forth with security and confidence, and perform unmolested the task assigned them by their Maker. Thus, when the light of truth and righteousness shineth, error and iniquity fly away before it, and the roaring lion himself departeth for a time. Then the Christian goeth forth to the work of his salvation, and to his labour of love, until the evening of old age warns him to prepare for his last repose, in faith of a joyful resurrection. Horne.