Psalms 136:7

KJV

To him that made great lights: for his mercy [endureth] for ever:

KJV (with Strong's)

To him that made {H6213} great {H1419} lights {H216}: for his mercy {H2617} endureth for ever {H5769}:

Complete Jewish Bible

to him who made the great lights, for his grace continues forever;

Berean Standard Bible

He made the great lights— His loving devotion endures forever.

American Standard Version

To him that made great lights; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 136:7 offers a profound celebration of God's magnificent power and wisdom, vividly displayed in the creation of the celestial bodies—the sun, moon, and stars. This foundational act of cosmic ordering serves as a tangible testament to His unwavering and eternal mercy. Embedded within a liturgical psalm characterized by its responsorial refrain, this verse underscores that the very order and sustenance of the cosmos are direct expressions of God's steadfast love and covenant faithfulness toward His creation and His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 136 is distinct in its liturgical structure, featuring a consistent responsorial refrain, "for his mercy endureth for ever," which follows each declaration of God's mighty acts. This psalm functions as a communal hymn of thanksgiving, often referred to as "The Great Hallel," recounting God's redemptive history from the primordial act of creation to the Exodus and the giving of the land. Verses 4-9 specifically focus on God's creative power, progressing from the general act of making the heavens and earth to the specific creation of the sun, moon, and stars. This progression emphasizes that even the vastness and intricate order of the cosmos are direct testimonies to His enduring faithfulness and provision, thereby setting the stage for His subsequent redemptive acts on behalf of Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, many cultures revered and worshipped celestial bodies as powerful deities, believing them to control human destiny and natural phenomena. The psalmist's declaration that God "made great lights" directly confronts and refutes such pagan beliefs. It firmly asserts the monotheistic truth that the sun, moon, and stars are not gods to be worshipped but are created entities, mere instruments of the one true God's sovereign will and benevolent design. This perspective would have been a powerful affirmation for ancient Israel, reminding them of their unique covenant relationship with the Creator of the universe, distinguishing their faith from the pervasive idolatry of surrounding nations.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to two overarching themes central to Psalm 136 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Creation and Sovereignty**, asserting God's absolute authority and immense power over the entire universe. The "great lights" (Hebrew: *me'orot gedolim*) directly echo the language of [Genesis 1:16](/genesis/1-16 "Genesis 1:16 - God Creates the Great Lights"), where God sets these luminaries "to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years." This emphasizes that the order and regularity of the cosmos are not accidental but are divinely ordained, serving God's purposes. Secondly, the verse powerfully reinforces the theme of **God's Enduring Mercy (*Hesed*)**. The core message of Psalm 136 is the eternal nature of God's *hesed*, a rich theological term signifying God's loyal, unfailing love, covenant fidelity, and steadfast lovingkindness. By linking the creation of the universe's most prominent features to this enduring *hesed*, the psalmist conveys that God's very act of bringing order, light, and sustenance into existence is an expression of His profound and everlasting love for His creation and His people, a love that is as constant and reliable as the celestial bodies themselves, as seen throughout the biblical narrative from [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Compassion and Mercy") to the New Testament's declaration of God's steadfast love in [Romans 8:38-39](/romans/8-38-39 "Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **made (Hebrew, _ʻâsâh'_):** This verb (H6213) is a primitive root meaning "to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application." In the context of creation, it signifies God's active, intentional, and powerful work in bringing something into existence. It is not a passive or accidental act but a deliberate fashioning and establishing of the cosmos, demonstrating divine agency and purpose.
* **lights (Hebrew, _ʼôwr'_):** Derived from a root meaning "illumination" (H216), this word refers to luminaries or sources of light. In this verse, it specifically denotes the sun, moon, and stars, which provide light and order to the earth. The term emphasizes their function as sources of brightness and their crucial role in marking time and seasons, as established in the [creation account](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account").
* **mercy (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_):** This profound theological term (H2617) signifies "kindness" or "good deed," but more deeply, it encompasses God's loyal, unfailing love, covenant fidelity, and steadfast lovingkindness. It speaks of a love that is not merely compassionate but actively committed, reliable, and enduring, particularly within the context of a relationship or covenant. It is the bedrock of God's character and His dealings with humanity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"To him that made great lights:"** This initial clause directs worship and praise to God as the sovereign Creator. The phrase "great lights" (Hebrew: *me'orot gedolim*) specifically refers to the sun and moon, which are the primary sources of light and order in the heavens, as established on the fourth day of creation in [Genesis 1:14-18](/genesis/1-14-18 "Genesis 1:14-18 - God Creates the Sun, Moon, and Stars"). The emphasis on "great" highlights their immense size, power, and the profound impact they have on life on Earth, all brought into being by God's command. This act of creation underscores God's immense power, infinite wisdom, and meticulous design in establishing the cosmic order.
* **"for his mercy endureth for ever:"** This refrain, characteristic of Psalm 136, provides the theological rationale and underlying motivation for God's creative acts. It asserts that God's creation of the "great lights" is not merely an exhibition of raw power but an expression of His eternal *hesed*. The phrase "endureth for ever" (Hebrew: *ʻôwlâm*) signifies perpetuity, eternity, and an unchanging nature. Thus, the very existence and continued operation of the sun, moon, and stars serve as a tangible, daily reminder of God's constant, unfailing, and everlasting love and faithfulness towards His creation. His creative power is intrinsically linked to His compassionate and covenantal character.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 136:7, like the entire psalm, prominently features **Repetition**, specifically the refrain "for his mercy endureth for ever." This liturgical device not only emphasizes the central theme of God's enduring *hesed* but also serves as a communal affirmation, inviting the worshippers to actively participate in declaring this truth, making it a memorable and deeply ingrained theological statement. The verse also employs **Parallelism**, implicitly aligning God's creative acts (making the great lights) with His unchanging character (eternal mercy), suggesting a direct cause-and-effect or explanatory relationship where His power is always motivated by His love. The description of the sun and moon as "great lights" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Emphasis**, highlighting their immense scale and significance in the created order, particularly in contrast to the pagan deification of such bodies. Furthermore, the "lights" themselves carry rich **Symbolism**, representing divine order, guidance, knowledge, and God's illuminating presence, contrasting with the darkness of chaos, ignorance, and spiritual blindness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The creation of the "great lights" serves as a profound theological statement about God's character. It reveals Him as the ultimate source of all order, light, and life, demonstrating His omnipotence, infinite wisdom, and benevolent design. The linkage of this mighty creative act to His enduring mercy (*hesed*) establishes that God's power is always exercised in conjunction with His steadfast love and faithfulness. This means that the very structures that govern our days and seasons are not merely natural phenomena but constant, tangible reminders of a God who is eternally committed to His creation and His covenant people. This foundational truth provides immense security and hope, assuring believers that if God's mercy is vast enough to sustain the cosmos, it is certainly sufficient to uphold and care for their individual lives, providing comfort and stability in a changing world.

* [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory")
* [Isaiah 40:26](/isaiah/40-26 "Isaiah 40:26 - God Calls the Stars by Name")
* [Lamentations 3:22-23](/lamentations/3-22-23 "Lamentations 3:22-23 - God's Mercies Are New Every Morning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 136:7 invites us to pause and truly behold the majesty of God's creation, particularly the celestial bodies that govern our days and nights. In a world often consumed by immediate concerns, this verse calls us to lift our gaze and recognize the constant, reliable testimony of God's power and enduring mercy written across the sky. The unwavering rhythm of day and night, the consistent cycles of the sun and moon, serve as a daily sermon on God's faithfulness. This should cultivate within us a deep sense of awe, profound gratitude, and unwavering trust. If God meticulously designed and faithfully sustains the vast universe, how much more will He faithfully uphold and care for His beloved children, who are made in His image and redeemed by His grace? This truth provides immense comfort in times of uncertainty, reminding us that His love is as constant as the rising sun. It also challenges us to live lives that reflect this enduring *hesed*, extending kindness, faithfulness, and steadfast love to others, just as our Creator does to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does observing the "great lights" (sun, moon, stars) in the sky impact your perception of God's power and majesty?**
* **In what specific ways does the constancy of the created order (e.g., day and night, seasons) serve as a tangible reminder of God's unchanging mercy in your own life?**
* **How might understanding God's *hesed* as the foundational motivation for His creative acts change your approach to daily challenges or uncertainties?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of awe and gratitude for God's creation and His enduring mercy in your everyday life?**

### FAQ
**Why does the psalm specifically mention "great lights" and not just creation in general?**

The specific mention of "great lights" (sun, moon, and stars) in Psalms 136:7, echoing the language of [Genesis 1:16](/genesis/1-16 "Genesis 1:16 - God Creates the Great Lights"), serves several crucial purposes. First, it highlights God's meticulous and powerful design, moving from the general act of creation to specific, prominent elements that profoundly impact human life. These luminaries establish day and night, seasons, and time, demonstrating God's ordering power and wisdom. Second, and perhaps most importantly in the ancient Near Eastern context, it directly refutes the widespread pagan worship of celestial bodies. By declaring that God *made* these "great lights," the psalmist asserts that they are not deities but created objects, subservient to the one true God. This emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty over all creation, including those elements often deified by surrounding cultures, thereby reinforcing Israel's unique monotheistic faith.

**What is the significance of the repeated phrase "for his mercy endureth for ever" in this psalm?**

The refrain "for his mercy endureth for ever" (Hebrew: *ki l'olam chasdo*) is the theological heart of Psalm 136. The Hebrew word *hesed* (mercy/lovingkindness/steadfast love) signifies God's loyal, covenantal faithfulness. Its repetition after each declaration of God's mighty acts—from creation ([Psalms 136:5](/psalms/136-5 "Psalm 136:5 - God's Wisdom in Creation")) to the Exodus ([Psalms 136:10](/psalms/136-10 "Psalm 136:10 - God Strikes Down the Firstborn of Egypt")) and the giving of the land ([Psalms 136:21](/psalms/136-21 "Psalm 136:21 - God Gives the Land as an Inheritance"))—underscores that all of God's actions, whether in creation or redemption, flow from and are sustained by His unchanging character of faithful love. It assures the worshiper that God's power is always exercised in conjunction with His goodness and commitment to His people, providing a foundation of unwavering trust and hope. This enduring *hesed* is a central theme throughout the Old Testament, beautifully articulated in passages like [Numbers 14:18](/numbers/14-18 "Numbers 14:18 - The Lord is Slow to Anger and Abounding in Steadfast Love") and [1 Chronicles 16:34](/1_chronicles/16-34 "1 Chronicles 16:34 - Give Thanks to the Lord, for He is Good").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 136:7, celebrating God's creation of the "great lights" as an act of enduring mercy, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals that Jesus is not merely a recipient of God's mercy but its very embodiment and the divine agent through whom all creation came into being. [John 1:3](/john/1-3 "John 1:3 - All Things Made Through Christ") declares that "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made," while [Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer") explicitly states, "for in him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him." Thus, the very "great lights" of Psalm 136:7 were fashioned by the pre-existent Christ, making creation itself a testament to His power and the initial expression of His benevolent design. Furthermore, Jesus Himself is the ultimate "Light of the World" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), dispelling the spiritual darkness of sin and ignorance, just as the physical lights dispel night. His coming, His life, death, and resurrection are the supreme demonstration of God's mercy that "endureth for ever," offering eternal redemption and a new covenant grounded in His unfailing love ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Eternal Redemption")). In Christ, God's enduring *hesed* is not just a cosmic principle but a personal, redemptive reality, continually illuminating the path for those who believe and securing their eternal hope.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 1:14

¶ And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

Genesis 1:19

And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

Psalms 104:19

¶ He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going down.

Deuteronomy 4:19

And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, [even] all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Psalms 74:16

The day [is] thine, the night also [is] thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun.

Psalms 74:17

Thou hast set all the borders of the earth: thou hast made summer and winter.