◄ Psalm 115:15 ►
May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
Study Bible
May you be blessed
This phrase is a benediction, a pronouncement of divine favor and well-being. The Hebrew root for "blessed" is "barak," which means to kneel, indicating a posture of receiving favor. In the context of ancient Israel, blessings were seen as tangible expressions of God's covenantal promises. The act of blessing is deeply rooted in the Abrahamic covenant, where God promises to bless Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:2-3). This blessing is not just material but encompasses spiritual prosperity and divine protection.

by the LORD
The term "LORD" in all caps refers to the tetragrammaton YHWH, the personal name of God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. This name signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenantal faithfulness. In the historical context, invoking the name of the LORD was a reminder of His unchanging promises and His role as the sovereign ruler over Israel. The use of YHWH here emphasizes that the source of blessing is not human effort but divine grace and favor.

the Maker
This title for God highlights His role as the Creator. The Hebrew word "asah" is used, which means to fashion or make. This term underscores God's sovereignty and power in creating the universe. In the biblical narrative, God's creative work is foundational to His authority and the order of creation. Recognizing God as the Maker reinforces the idea that all blessings flow from His creative power and purpose.

of heaven
Heaven, in the Hebrew "shamayim," refers to the skies or the celestial realm. In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, heaven was seen as the dwelling place of God, a realm of divine majesty and authority. The mention of heaven here serves to remind the reader of God's transcendence and His rule over all creation. It is a call to acknowledge the vastness of God's dominion and the heavenly origin of His blessings.

and earth
The earth, "erets" in Hebrew, represents the physical world and human habitation. By including both heaven and earth, the verse encapsulates the totality of creation. This duality emphasizes God's immanence—His presence and activity within the world. Historically, this reflects the biblical worldview that God is not distant but actively involved in the affairs of the world He created. The blessing from the Maker of both realms assures believers of God's comprehensive care and provision.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His promises. In this context, He is the source of blessing.

2. Heaven and Earth
Represents the entirety of creation, highlighting God's sovereignty and creative power. This phrase underscores God's authority over all things.

3. The Psalmist
Traditionally attributed to the community of Israel, the psalmist speaks on behalf of the people, invoking God's blessing.
Teaching Points
God as the Source of Blessing
Recognize that true blessings come from the LORD, who is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

Acknowledging God's Sovereignty
Understand that God's authority extends over all creation, and His power is unmatched.

Living in Dependence on God
Cultivate a life that relies on God's provision and guidance, trusting in His ability to bless and sustain.

Worshiping the Creator
Engage in worship that acknowledges God as the Maker of heaven and earth, giving Him glory for His creation.

Blessing Others in God's Name
As recipients of God's blessings, seek to be a blessing to others, reflecting God's love and generosity.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does recognizing God as the Maker of heaven and earth influence your understanding of His power and authority in your life?

2. In what ways can you actively seek God's blessing in your daily activities, and how can you discern His blessings?

3. How does the concept of God as Creator shape your perspective on environmental stewardship and care for creation?

4. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's blessing in a significant way. How did it impact your faith and relationship with Him?

5. How can you be a conduit of God's blessing to others in your community, and what practical steps can you take to do so?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1
The creation account where God is depicted as the Maker of heaven and earth, establishing His role as Creator.

Psalm 121
Another psalm that speaks of God as the Maker of heaven and earth, emphasizing His role as protector and helper.

Acts 17
Paul speaks of God as the Creator of the world, affirming His sovereignty and the dependence of all life on Him.
Sermons
The Lord Blessing His SaintsPsalm 115:15
Genuine Religious ConsciousnessHomilistPsalm 115:1-18
Giving God the GloryT. De Witt Talmage.Psalm 115:1-18
Glory to God for Public BlessingsBishop Smalridge.Psalm 115:1-18
Non Nobis, DominePsalm 115:1-18
The Heathen Taunt, and What Came of itS. Conway Psalm 115:1-18
The Honor Due to GodC. Short Psalm 115:1-18
People
Aaron, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Blessed, Blessing, Heaven, Heavens, Maker
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 115:15

     4055   heaven and earth
     4287   universe

Psalm 115:14-16

     5081   Adam, life of

Psalm 115:15-16

     4203   earth, the

Library
The Warning
"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered abroad. Howbeit, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto Him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that thou today, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice. But he spake exceeding …
G. A. Chadwick—The Gospel of St. Mark

Letter xxxiv. To Marcella.
In reply to a request from Marcella for information concerning two phrases in Ps. cxxvii. ("bread of sorrow," v. 2, and "children of the shaken off," A.V. "of the youth," v. 4). Jerome, after lamenting that Origen's notes on the psalm are no longer extant, gives the following explanations: The Hebrew phrase "bread of sorrow" is rendered by the LXX. "bread of idols"; by Aquila, "bread of troubles"; by Symmachus, "bread of misery." Theodotion follows the LXX. So does Origen's Fifth Version. The Sixth …
St. Jerome—The Principal Works of St. Jerome

Christian Graces.
FAITH. FAITH! Peter saith, faith, in the very trial of it, is much more precious than gold that perisheth. If so, what is the worth or value that is in the grace itself? Faith is so great an artist in arguing and reasoning with the soul, that it will bring over the hardest heart that it hath to deal with. It will bring to my remembrance at once, both my vileness against God, and his goodness towards me; it will show me, that though I deserve not to breathe in the air, yet God will have me an heir …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan

Impiety of Attributing a visible Form to God. --The Setting up of Idols a Defection from the True God.
1. God is opposed to idols, that all may know he is the only fit witness to himself. He expressly forbids any attempt to represent him by a bodily shape. 2. Reasons for this prohibition from Moses, Isaiah, and Paul. The complaint of a heathen. It should put the worshipers of idols to shame. 3. Consideration of an objection taken from various passages in Moses. The Cherubim and Seraphim show that images are not fit to represent divine mysteries. The Cherubim belonged to the tutelage of the Law. 4. …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."--Jer. vi. 16. Reverence for the old paths is a chief Christian duty. We look to the future indeed with hope; yet this need not stand in the way of our dwelling on the past days of the Church with affection and deference. This is the feeling of our own Church, as continually expressed in the Prayer Book;--not to slight what has gone before, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Messiah Derided Upon the Cross
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. F allen man, though alienated from the life of God, and degraded with respect to many of his propensities and pursuits, to a level with the beasts that perish, is not wholly destitute of kind and compassionate feelings towards his fellow-creatures. While self-interest does not interfere, and the bitter passions …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Last Supper
189. On Thursday Jesus and his disciples returned to Jerusalem for the last time. Knowing the temper of the leaders, and the danger of arrest at any time, Jesus was particularly eager to eat the Passover with his disciples (Luke xxii. 15), and he sent two of them--Luke names them as Peter and John--to prepare for the supper. In a way which would give no information to such a one as Judas, he directed them carefully how to find the house where a friend would provide them the upper room that was needed …
Rush Rhees—The Life of Jesus of Nazareth

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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