◄ Psalm 115:16 ►
The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.
Study Bible
The highest heavens
This phrase refers to the supreme realm of God's dwelling, often understood as the third heaven or the heaven of heavens. In Hebrew, "shamayim" is the word for heavens, and its repetition or intensification signifies the utmost heights. Theologically, this emphasizes God's sovereignty and transcendence. The highest heavens are beyond human reach, symbolizing God's ultimate authority and the majesty of His creation. This realm is where God's glory is fully manifest, and it serves as a reminder of His omnipotence and the divine order He has established.

belong to the LORD
The phrase underscores God's ownership and dominion over the heavens. In Hebrew, "Yahweh" is the covenant name of God, signifying His eternal presence and faithfulness. The heavens are His throne, as stated in Isaiah 66:1, and this ownership reflects His supreme power and the reverence due to Him. It is a call to recognize His authority and to worship Him as the Creator and Sustainer of all things. This ownership is not just a matter of possession but of divine right and purpose.

but the earth
This conjunction introduces a contrast between the heavens and the earth. The earth, in Hebrew "eretz," is the realm of human habitation. It is the stage for God's unfolding plan of redemption and the arena for human stewardship. The earth is distinct from the heavens, yet it is intricately connected to God's purposes. This distinction highlights the unique role humanity plays in God's creation, as caretakers and participants in His divine plan.

He has given
The act of giving here is significant, indicating a deliberate and gracious act of God. In Hebrew, "natan" means to give, bestow, or grant. This gift of the earth to mankind is an expression of God's generosity and trust. It implies responsibility and stewardship, as humanity is entrusted with the care and management of the earth. This giving is not merely a transfer of ownership but a call to partnership with God in nurturing and preserving His creation.

to mankind
The term "mankind" refers to humanity as a whole, created in the image of God. In Hebrew, "adam" signifies both the individual and the collective human race. This gift of the earth to mankind is rooted in the creation narrative of Genesis, where humanity is given dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:28). It is a reminder of the dignity and responsibility bestowed upon humans as God's image-bearers. This stewardship is a sacred trust, calling for wisdom, care, and reverence for the Creator's handiwork.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His sovereignty and authority over all creation.

2. Heavens
Refers to the celestial realm, often seen as the dwelling place of God, indicating His supreme authority and majesty.

3. Earth
The physical world created by God, given to humanity as a place to live and exercise stewardship.

4. Mankind (Humanity)
Refers to all human beings, who are entrusted with the responsibility to manage and care for the earth.

5. Creation
The act of God bringing the universe into existence, highlighting His power and intentional design.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and Ownership
Recognize that God is the ultimate owner of both the heavens and the earth. Our role is to steward what He has entrusted to us.

Human Responsibility and Stewardship
Understand that the earth is a gift from God to humanity, and we are called to manage it wisely and responsibly.

The Balance of Authority and Humility
While we have been given authority over the earth, we must exercise it with humility, acknowledging God's ultimate authority.

Environmental Care as Worship
Caring for the earth is an act of worship and obedience to God, reflecting His character and intentions for creation.

Living with an Eternal Perspective
Our stewardship of the earth should be guided by an eternal perspective, recognizing that our actions have lasting spiritual significance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's ownership of the heavens and the earth influence your view of your role in creation?

2. In what ways can you practice better stewardship of the earth in your daily life?

3. How does the concept of stewardship in Psalm 115:16 relate to the dominion mandate in Genesis 1:26-28?

4. What are some practical ways you can balance exercising authority over the earth with humility and reverence for God?

5. How can caring for the environment be seen as an act of worship and obedience to God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 1:26-28
This passage describes God's creation of humanity and their mandate to have dominion over the earth, echoing the theme of stewardship found in Psalm 115:16.

Deuteronomy 10:14
This verse acknowledges God's ownership of the heavens and the earth, reinforcing His sovereignty and the gift of the earth to humanity.

Psalm 8:3-8
This psalm reflects on the majesty of God's creation and humanity's role within it, similar to the themes in Psalm 115:16.

Matthew 5:5
Jesus' teaching on the meek inheriting the earth connects to the idea of stewardship and the blessings of living in accordance with God's will.

Romans 8:19-22
This passage speaks of creation's longing for the revealing of the children of God, highlighting the interconnectedness of humanity and the earth.
Sermons
The Earth for MenHomilistPsalm 115:16
The Earth of the RedemptionBishop Phillips Brooks.Psalm 115:16
The Mysteries of the UniverseW. Hawkins.Psalm 115:16
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
Belong, Heaven, Heavens, Lord's, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 115:16

     2233   Son of Man
     4007   creation, and God
     4060   nature
     5477   property, land
     8243   ethics, social
     8472   respect, for environment

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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