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How could the sun and moon be harmful? (Psalm 121:6)

How could the sun and moon be harmful? (Psalm 121:6)

5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

Clarify Share Report Asked February 19 2019 My picture Jack Gutknecht Supporter

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Mini Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army
I would say that, although the sun is necessary for life, overexposure to it can be harmful either as a result of radiation or the effects of excessive temperature such as dehydration or heat stroke, and that this would have been recognized even in biblical times (especially in the Middle East). The shade spoken of in the psalm represents relief from those aspects. And perhaps the reference to the moon pertains to ancient beliefs in the power of moonlight to induce madness (as indicated by the term lunacy), from which it would also have been felt that people needed protection.

February 19 2019 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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