105:33 He destroyed their vines and fig trees,
and broke the trees throughout their territory.
121:6 The sun will not harm you by day,
or the moon by night. 1
135:8 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
including both men and animals.
135:10 He defeated many nations,
and killed mighty kings –
136:10 to the one who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his loyal love endures,
136:17 to the one who struck down great kings,
for his loyal love endures,
1 sn One hardly thinks of the moon’s rays as being physically harmful, like those of the sun. The reference to the moon may simply lend poetic balance to the verse, but it is likely that the verse reflects an ancient, primitive belief that the moon could have an adverse effect on the mind (note the English expression “moonstruck,” which reflects such a belief). Another possibility is that the sun and moon stand by metonymy for harmful forces characteristic of the day and night, respectively.