Psalms 102:25

Authorized King James Version

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Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands.

Original Language Analysis

לְ֭פָנִים Of old H6440
לְ֭פָנִים Of old
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 1 of 6
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הָאָ֣רֶץ of the earth H776
הָאָ֣רֶץ of the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 2 of 6
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
יָסַ֑דְתָּ hast thou laid the foundation H3245
יָסַ֑דְתָּ hast thou laid the foundation
Strong's: H3245
Word #: 3 of 6
to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult
וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה are the work H4639
וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֖ה are the work
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 4 of 6
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
יָדֶ֣יךָ of thy hands H3027
יָדֶ֣יךָ of thy hands
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 5 of 6
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
שָׁמָֽיִם׃ and the heavens H8064
שָׁמָֽיִם׃ and the heavens
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 6 of 6
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

Analysis & Commentary

Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. This verse begins a section (vv. 25-27) contrasting the created order's transience with the Creator's eternality. "Of old" (l'fanim, לְפָנִים) means long ago, in ancient times, from the beginning—pointing back to Genesis 1. God's creative work predates all human history, establishing His priority and authority over creation.

"Hast thou laid the foundation of the earth" (ha'aretz yasadta, הָאָרֶץ יָסַדְתָּ) uses yasad (יָסַד), meaning to found, establish, or lay a foundation. The verb suggests careful, purposeful construction—not random formation but designed architecture. God established earth's foundations with intention, wisdom, and power (Proverbs 3:19, 8:29; Isaiah 48:13).

"The heavens are the work of thy hands" (v'shamayim ma'aseh yadeka, וְשָׁמַיִם מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶיךָ) personalizes creation through the metaphor of God's hands. While transcendent, God is portrayed as master craftsman who shaped the cosmos. Ma'aseh (מַעֲשֶׂה) means work, deed, or handiwork—emphasizing that creation bears its Maker's imprint, reflecting His character and purposes.

This verse establishes that everything in creation—earth and heavens, matter and space—originates from God's creative will. Creation isn't eternal or self-existent but contingent, dependent on God for origin and continued existence. This foundation sets up verses 26-27's stunning claim: even creation will perish, but the Creator endures eternally.

Historical Context

Psalm 102:25-27 is quoted in Hebrews 1:10-12 and applied directly to Jesus Christ, identifying Him as the Creator through whom God made the worlds. This stunning New Testament interpretation reveals that the Son was the agent of creation, existing before all created things (John 1:1-3, Colossians 1:16-17).

The concept of God laying earth's foundations contrasts with ancient Near Eastern creation myths. Babylonian Enuma Elish portrayed creation resulting from violent conflict between deities, with earth formed from a slain goddess's corpse. Egyptian myths described creation emerging from primordial waters. Against these violent, chaotic narratives, Israel's creation theology presents purposeful divine design executed through sovereign word and wisdom.

For exilic Israel, this affirmation was crucial. Babylonians claimed Marduk created and controlled the cosmos, justifying Babylonian supremacy. But Israel's God was the true Creator—Marduk was merely an idol, Babylon merely a temporary empire. The eternal Creator who made earth and heaven would surely restore His people.

Modern cosmology's discovery of the universe's finite age (beginning with the Big Bang ~13.8 billion years ago) and eventual heat death aligns remarkably with this psalm's claim that creation had a beginning and will have an end. Only the Creator transcends the created order's temporal boundaries.

Questions for Reflection