Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 105:39

"He spread a cloud for a covering, And fire to give light in the night." — Psalms 105:39 (ASV)

Cloud. —As in Isaiah 4:5. The reason assigned for the cloud in the historical books is lost sight of. Instead of a pillar marking the line of march, or as a protection against the pursuing foe, it is a canopy for protection from the sun. Sir Walter Scott expresses the same idea in Rebecca’s hymn.