Psalms 72:5

72:5 People will fear ¹  you ²  as long as the sun and moon remain in the sky,

for generation after generation. ³ 

Psalms 72:7

72:7 During his days the godly will flourish; ⁴ 

peace will prevail as long as the moon remains in the sky. ⁵ 

Psalms 104:19

104:19 He made the moon to mark the months, ⁶ 

and the sun sets according to a regular schedule. ⁷ 

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¹ tn In this context “fear” probably means “to demonstrate respect for the Lord’s power and authority by worshiping him and obeying his commandments.” See Ps 33:8. Some interpreters, with the support of the LXX, prefer to read וְיַאֲרִיךְ (vÿ’a’arikh, “and he [the king in this case] will prolong [days]”), that is, “will live a long time” (cf. NIV, NRSV).

² tn God is the addressee (see vv. 1-2).

³ tn Heb “with [the] sun, and before [the] moon [for] a generation, generations.” The rare expression דּוֹר דּוֹרִים (dor dorim, “generation, generations”) occurs only here, in Ps 102:24, and in Isa 51:8.

⁴ tn Heb “sprout up,” like crops. This verse continues the metaphor of rain utilized in v. 6.

⁵ tn Heb “and [there will be an] abundance of peace until there is no more moon.”

⁶ tn Heb “he made [the] moon for appointed times.” The phrase “appointed times” probably refers to the months of the Hebrew lunar calendar.

⁷ tn Heb more metaphorically, “knows its setting.”