It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth; he that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name.
It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth (הַבּוֹנֶה בַשָּׁמַיִם מַעֲלוֹתָו וַאֲגֻדָּתוֹ עַל־אֶרֶץ יְסָדָהּ)—the verb banah (בָּנָה, build) describes God as cosmic architect. The ma'alot (מַעֲלוֹת, stories/chambers/stairs) refers to heavenly dwelling-places or stories (some translate "upper chambers"). The aguddah (אֲגֻדָּה) means "vault/arch/foundation"—possibly the firmament or earth's foundation. He that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name (הַקֹּרֵא לְמֵי־הַיָּם וַיִּשְׁפְּכֵם עַל־פְּנֵי הָאָרֶץ יְהוָה שְׁמוֹ)—God controls the hydrological cycle, calling (qara, קָרָא) sea waters that He pours out (shaphak, שָׁפַךְ) as rain or flood.
This doxology affirms God as Creator and Sustainer of cosmic order—heaven above, earth below, waters completing the triad. The emphasis on God's name (שֵׁם, shem) being Yahweh connects creation theology to covenant identity: the same God who built the cosmos made covenant with Israel and will judge their violation. The passage echoes Genesis 1-2 (creation), Job 38 (God's cosmic governance), and Psalm 104 (God's sustaining providence). The Reformed understanding emphasizes God's meticulous providence—He doesn't merely create then step back but actively governs all natural processes. The waters don't move randomly but at His call, poured out where He wills.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern cosmology envisioned a three-tiered universe: heaven above (divine dwelling), earth (human realm), and waters below/around (chaos). Amos affirms that Yahweh alone governs all three realms, contrasting with pagan gods who divided these domains. Baal, the Canaanite storm god, claimed authority over rain and fertility—Amos declares that Yahweh calls the waters and pours them out. This isn't poetic language but theological polemic: Israel's covenant God controls what pagans attribute to Baal. The seasonal rains essential for Palestinian agriculture obey Yahweh's call, not Baal's. Within 30 years, when Assyria destroyed Israel (722 BC), they would learn that Yahweh's control over creation extends to historical judgment.
Questions for Reflection
How does recognizing God as both Creator (who built heaven's chambers and earth's vault) and Sustainer (who calls and pours the waters) affect your trust in His providential care?
What does the emphasis on 'the LORD is his name' teach about the inseparability of creation theology and covenant relationship?
Analysis & Commentary
It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, and hath founded his troop in the earth (הַבּוֹנֶה בַשָּׁמַיִם מַעֲלוֹתָו וַאֲגֻדָּתוֹ עַל־אֶרֶץ יְסָדָהּ)—the verb banah (בָּנָה, build) describes God as cosmic architect. The ma'alot (מַעֲלוֹת, stories/chambers/stairs) refers to heavenly dwelling-places or stories (some translate "upper chambers"). The aguddah (אֲגֻדָּה) means "vault/arch/foundation"—possibly the firmament or earth's foundation. He that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD is his name (הַקֹּרֵא לְמֵי־הַיָּם וַיִּשְׁפְּכֵם עַל־פְּנֵי הָאָרֶץ יְהוָה שְׁמוֹ)—God controls the hydrological cycle, calling (qara, קָרָא) sea waters that He pours out (shaphak, שָׁפַךְ) as rain or flood.
This doxology affirms God as Creator and Sustainer of cosmic order—heaven above, earth below, waters completing the triad. The emphasis on God's name (שֵׁם, shem) being Yahweh connects creation theology to covenant identity: the same God who built the cosmos made covenant with Israel and will judge their violation. The passage echoes Genesis 1-2 (creation), Job 38 (God's cosmic governance), and Psalm 104 (God's sustaining providence). The Reformed understanding emphasizes God's meticulous providence—He doesn't merely create then step back but actively governs all natural processes. The waters don't move randomly but at His call, poured out where He wills.