Psalms 115:16

The heaven, [even] the heavens, [are] the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

The heaven {H8064}, even the heavens {H8064}, are the LORD'S {H3068}: but the earth {H776} hath he given {H5414} to the children {H1121} of men {H120}.

Heaven belongs to ADONAI, but the earth he has given to humankind.

The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.

The heavens are the heavens of Jehovah; But the earth hath he given to the children of men.

Psalms 115:16 (KJV) declares a fundamental truth about God's sovereignty and humanity's unique place in creation: "The heaven, [even] the heavens, [are] the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men." This verse powerfully articulates the divine order and the delegated authority given to mankind.

Context of Psalms 115:16

Psalm 115 is part of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung during Passover. The psalm stands as a striking contrast between the true God of Israel and the powerless idols worshipped by the nations. While idols are described as having "mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not" (Psalms 115:5), the Lord is presented as the omnipotent Creator and Sustainer. Verse 16 serves as a climactic statement affirming God's absolute ownership over the celestial realm, while also highlighting His gracious bestowal of the earth to humanity, emphasizing His active involvement and benevolent design.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Ownership: The phrase "The heaven, [even] the heavens, [are] the LORD'S" underscores God's ultimate and uncontested dominion over all creation. It emphasizes His transcendence and His absolute authority over the vastness of the universe, from the highest heavens to the smallest detail. This concept is foundational to understanding God's nature, as seen in Isaiah 66:1 where He declares, "The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool."
  • Humanity's Delegated Authority and Stewardship: The latter part of the verse, "but the earth hath he given to the children of men," reveals God's intentional gift to humanity. This is not an abdication of His ownership but a delegation of responsibility and authority. From the beginning, God entrusted mankind with dominion over the earth, as recorded in Genesis 1:28, where He commanded them to "replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion." This implies a sacred trust and a call to responsible stewardship, to cultivate and care for the earth (Genesis 2:15).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "heaven, [even] the heavens" is shamayim (שָׁמַיִם), which is a plural form often used to denote the vast expanse of the sky and the spiritual dwelling place of God. Its repetition emphasizes the immensity and entirety of the celestial realm. The term "given" comes from the Hebrew verb natan (נָתַן), meaning to give, grant, or bestow. This highlights God's deliberate and gracious act of entrusting the earth to mankind, rather than humanity seizing it by force.

Practical Application

Psalms 115:16 offers profound implications for how we view the world and our role within it. Firstly, it reminds us of God's supreme authority and encourages a posture of worship and trust in His divine plan. Knowing that "the heavens are the LORD'S" provides comfort and security, affirming that God is ultimately in control. Secondly, it calls believers to embrace their role as stewards of the earth. This means caring for the environment, using its resources wisely, and developing its potential in ways that honor the Creator. It also extends to our social responsibilities, as we are called to build societies that reflect God's justice and love on the earth He has given us. Our actions on earth, whether in daily work or environmental advocacy, are ultimately an expression of our understanding of this divine gift and our accountability to its Giver.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 8:6

    Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all [things] under his feet:

  • Psalms 89:11

    The heavens [are] thine, the earth also [is] thine: [as for] the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.

  • Genesis 1:28

    And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

  • Genesis 1:30

    And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein [there is] life, [I have given] every green herb for meat: and it was so.

  • Jeremiah 27:5

    I have made the earth, the man and the beast that [are] upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.

  • Jeremiah 27:6

    And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him.

  • Genesis 9:1

    ¶ And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

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