He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

PSALMS 104:19KJV
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Psalms 104:19 (KJV)

What does Psalms 104:19 mean?

Psalms 104:19 says that God set the moon to mark out the seasons and that the sun follows its set pattern, knowing when to go down. The verse highlights how the natural order—like the timing of the moon and sun—was established by God’s design.

In this psalm, the writer (traditionally David) is praising God for His wisdom in creating and organizing the world. The verse is part of a larger section describing how God set up the heavens and earth to work in a reliable, orderly way, showing care and intention in every detail.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 104:19

  • "appointed" (עָשָׂה, ʿasah): This word often means "to make" or "to set." Here, it emphasizes that God actively established the moon’s role, not just passively allowing it.
  • "moon" (יָרֵחַ, yareach): The moon is mentioned as the marker for "seasons," pointing to its use in tracking time and festivals in ancient Israel.
  • "seasons" (מוֹעֵד, mo'ed): This word can mean appointed times or festivals, not just the four seasons. It suggests the moon’s role in setting dates for religious observances.
  • "sun" (שֶׁמֶשׁ, shemesh): The sun is described as knowing its "going down," meaning it follows a set, predictable path.
  • "knoweth" (יָדַע, yada): This verb is often used for knowledge or awareness. The poetic sense here is that the sun reliably follows its God-given routine.
  • "down" (בּוֹא, bo): This word means "going in" or "setting," referring to the sun’s daily cycle of rising and setting.

Why Psalms 104:19 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the cycles of the moon and sun are not random but were intentionally set by God, countering ancient ideas that these bodies were independent or divine themselves.
  • By mentioning "seasons" as "appointed times," the verse connects the natural world to Israel’s worship calendar, showing how creation and worship are linked.
  • This verse fits into the broader theme of Psalm 104, which celebrates God’s ongoing care and order in creation, reminding readers that the world’s rhythms reflect God’s wisdom.

Where else these words appear

“down” Hebrew H3996 · used in 24 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
  • 2 Kings 16:18 And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.
  • Jeremiah 38:14 Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the LORD: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.

“moon” Hebrew H3394 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 37:9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
  • Psalms 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
  • Isaiah 13:10 For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.

“sun” Hebrew H8121 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.
  • 2 Samuel 2:24 Joab also and Abishai pursued after Abner: and the sun went down when they were come to the hill of Ammah, that lieth before Giah by the way of the wilderness of Gibeon.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.