New English Translation
Psalms 115:16
16The heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.
Psalms 115:16 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
- New International Version (NIV)The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The heavens are the Lord's heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.
Context of Psalms 115:16
14May he increase your numbers, yours and your children’s! 15May you be blessed by the Lord, the creator of heaven and earth! The heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind. 17The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any of those who descend into the silence of death. 18But we will praise the Lord now and forevermore. Praise the Lord!
Read all of Psalms 115Psalms 115:16 word by word
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם שָׁ֭מַיִם לַיהוָ֑ה וְ֝הָאָ֗רֶץ נָתַ֥ן לִבְנֵי־אָדָֽם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 115:16
- Psalms 89:11The heavens belong to you, as does the earth. You made the world and all it contains.
- Psalms 144:5O Lord, make the sky sink and come down! Touch the mountains and make them smolder!
- Psalms 148:4Praise him, O highest heaven, and you waters above the sky!
- Isaiah 66:1This is what the Lord says: “The heavens are my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where then is the house you will build for me? Where is the place where I will rest?
- Lamentations 3:66Pursue them in anger and eradicate them from under the Lord’s heaven.
- John 14:2There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Otherwise, I would have told you, because I am going away to make ready a place for you.
- Genesis 1:28God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply! Fill the earth and subdue it! Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that moves on the ground.”
- Genesis 9:1Then God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.
- Deuteronomy 32:8When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided up humankind, he set the boundaries of the peoples, according to the number of the heavenly assembly.
- Jeremiah 27:5“I made the earth and the people and animals on it by my mighty power and great strength, and I give it to whomever I see fit.
Commentaries on Psalms 115:16
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 16The heaven - Hebrew, “The heavens.” Even the heavens are the Lord‘s - A more literal and correct rendering of this would be, “The heavens are heavens for Jehovah.” That is, he has reserved the heavens as a home for himself, or as his special possession and home. Compare Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 5:34; Acts 7:49. But the earth - He propared earth for the abode of man; he has placed man upon it to cultivate it; he has given its fruits and productions to man…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-18Verses 9-18 It is folly to trust in dead images, but it is wisdom to trust in the living God, for he is a help and a shield to those that trust in him. Wherever there is right fear of God, there may be cheerful faith in him; those who reverence his word, may rely upon it. He is ever found faithful. The greatest need his blessing, and it shall not be denied to the meanest that fear him. God's blessing gives an increase, especially in spiritual blessings…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-18The highest heavens belong to the LORD: God's exaltation starts in heaven (Psalm 113:4), far above the gods of other nations. The earth also belongs to him (Psalm 47:9; 95:4). The dead cannot participate in God’s blessings. The living praise God in thanksgiving for his blessings (Psalm 79:13).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-1715-17. They were not only God's peculiar people, but as living inhabitants of earth, assigned the work of His praise as monuments of divine power, wisdom, and goodness.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 115:16
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 115
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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