Genesis 1:4

1:4 God saw ¹  that the light was good, ²  so God separated ³  the light from the darkness.

Deuteronomy 32:4

32:4 As for the Rock, ⁴  his work is perfect,

for all his ways are just.

He is a reliable God who is never unjust,

he is fair ⁵  and upright.

Psalms 104:31

104:31 May the splendor of the Lord endure! ⁶ 

May the Lord find pleasure in the living things he has made! ⁷ 

[1:4]  ¹ tn Heb “And God saw the light, that it was good.” The verb “saw” in this passage carries the meaning “reflected on,” “surveyed,” “concluded,” “noted.” It is a description of reflection of the mind – it is God’s opinion.

[1:4]  ² tn The Hebrew word טוֹב (tov) in this context signifies whatever enhances, promotes, produces, or is conducive for life. It is the light that God considers “good,” not the darkness. Whatever is conducive to life in God’s creation is good, for God himself is good, and that goodness is reflected in all of his works.

[1:4]  ³ tn The verb “separate, divide” here explains how God used the light to dispel the darkness. It did not do away with the darkness completely, but made a separation. The light came alongside the darkness, but they are mutually exclusive – a theme that will be developed in the Gospel of John (cf. John 1:5).

[32:4]  ⁴ tc The LXX reads Θεός (qeos, “God”) for the MT’s “Rock.”

[32:4]  ⁵ tn Or “just” (KJV, NAB, NRSV, NLT) or “righteous” (NASB).

[104:31]  ⁶ tn Heb “be forever.”

[104:31]  ⁷ tn Or “rejoice in his works.”