The Lord is king! Let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad! Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Light dawns for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name! (Psalm 97: 1-2,11-12)

It is early morning on the east coast of North America and clouds obscure any star. But the clouds are suffused with moonlight. Without the clouds there would be sharp shadows, separating the very dark from the very bright. But working with the clouds the light reaches around and behind and, somehow, softens the shadows.

Dawn is still hours away, but there is no thick darkness. Instead there is a comforting light by which to find my way.

Above is Night by Willem de Kooning.