The Bible's best-known sunset verse is "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised" (Psalm 113:3). In Scripture sunset is a time for evening prayer, "the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141:2), for making peace, "let not the sun go down upon your wrath" (Ephesians 4:26), and for hope: "at evening time it shall be light" (Zechariah 14:7).
A sunset can stop you in your tracks. People search for sunset Bible verses for photo captions, wall art, evening devotions, beach weddings and memorial services, because the end of the day naturally turns our thoughts to God. In the Bible's way of counting, a new day even begins at evening (Genesis 1:5). These twelve King James verses praise God from sunrise to sunset, offer prayers for the evening, and point to the light God gives when the sun goes down. For the start of the day, see morning; for after dark, see night.
From the rising of the sun to its going down
1. Psalms 113:3
"From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised."
Praise is meant to fill the whole day, from sunrise to sunset, and the whole earth, from east to west. A sunset is a daily reminder to thank God for the day just finished.
2. Malachi 1:11
"For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts."
God promised that His name would be great among the Gentiles from the rising of the sun to its going down. Every sunset around the world is a picture of worship that will one day reach every nation. See missionary work.
3. Ecclesiastes 1:5
"The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose."
The sun rises, goes down and hurries back to its place. The Preacher saw the endless cycle as wearying, but believers can also see God's faithfulness in it: day and night shall not cease while the earth remains (Genesis 8:22).
4. Psalms 74:16
"The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun."
The day is thine, the night also is thine. Both the bright hours and the dark ones belong to God, who prepared the light and the sun. There is no time of day outside His care.
Evening prayer at sunset
5. Psalms 141:2
"Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."
In Israel an evening sacrifice was offered every day toward sundown (Exodus 29:39). David asks that his prayer would rise like incense and his lifted hands be accepted like that sacrifice. Sunset is a natural time to pray. See prayer.
6. Genesis 24:63
"And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming."
Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide, and that evening he first saw Rebekah coming. A quiet walk at sunset to think and pray is one of the oldest devotional habits in Scripture.
7. Luke 24:29
"But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them."
On the first Easter evening, two disciples urged a stranger on the road to Emmaus to stay with them, for it was toward evening. As He broke bread they recognised Jesus (Luke 24:30-31). Abide with us is a perfect sunset prayer.
8. Ephesians 4:26
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:"
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Sunset is a deadline for unresolved anger. Before the day ends, make peace with God and, where possible, with others. See anger.
Light when the sun goes down
9. Luke 4:40
"Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them."
When the sun was setting, people brought all their sick to Jesus, and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. The evening crowds did not wear Him out. You can bring Him every need at the end of your day.
10. Zechariah 14:7
"But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light."
In the prophet's vision of the day of the LORD, at evening time it shall be light. When life seems to be fading toward night, God can bring unexpected light. See light.
11. Isaiah 60:20
"Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended."
Thy sun shall no more go down, for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and mourning will end. Earthly sunsets are beautiful, but they point to a day with no sunset at all (Revelation 21:23).
12. Psalms 65:8
"They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice."
God makes the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice. Sunrise and sunset are like songs of joy that God sets over creation every day. See nature.
A short prayer
Lord, thank You for this day and for the beauty of the sunset. Let my prayer rise before You like incense and my lifted hands be like the evening sacrifice. Before the sun goes down, help me to make peace and let go of anger. Abide with me as evening comes, and remind me that one day Your light will never set. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Keep an evening verse in your Bible with our free printable bookmarks · End each day in prayer with the 30-Day Prayer Journal · Write one verse a day with our free November & December Scripture Writing Plan
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Bible verse for a sunset picture?
Short, beautiful options include "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised" (Psalm 113:3), "The day is thine, the night also is thine" (Psalm 74:16), and "at evening time it shall be light" (Zechariah 14:7). Psalm 65:8, about God making the morning and evening rejoice, works well for a beach or mountain sunset.
What does "let not the sun go down upon your wrath" mean?
Paul is saying that anger is not always sin, but it must not be allowed to linger. Deal with it the same day: pray, cool down and seek to resolve the conflict, so that you do not "give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:27). It is wise advice for marriages, families and friendships: try not to go to bed angry.
Does the Bible say anything about a red sky at night?
Yes. Jesus said, "When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red" (Matthew 16:2). He used the familiar saying to challenge people who could read the weather but missed the signs of who He was (Matthew 16:3). The saying is old, but Jesus' point was spiritual.
Why does the Bible day begin at sunset?
In Genesis 1 each day is described as "the evening and the morning" (Genesis 1:5), so the Jewish day begins at sundown. That is why the Sabbath and the Day of Atonement were kept from evening to evening (Leviticus 23:32). Ending the day with rest and prayer before waking to work is a picture of beginning everything with God.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses for the morning · Bible verses about night · Bible verses about light · Bible verses about nature · Bible verses about stars · Bible verses about prayer · Bible verses about anger · Bible verses about relationship with God
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