Psalms 115:15
Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth.
Original Language Analysis
בְּרוּכִ֣ים
Ye are blessed
H1288
בְּרוּכִ֣ים
Ye are blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
1 of 6
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
לַיהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
לַיהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 6
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה
which made
H6213
עֹ֝שֵׂ֗ה
which made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
4 of 6
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Revelation 14:7Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.Psalms 96:5For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.Genesis 14:19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:Genesis 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.Psalms 121:2My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.Psalms 134:3The LORD that made heaven and earth bless thee out of Zion.Acts 14:15And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:Psalms 124:8Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.1 Peter 3:9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Historical Context
The creation confession ('maker of heaven and earth') was Israel's primary apologetic against pagan polytheism. Babylonian religion credited creation to multiple gods emerging from primordial chaos (Enuma Elish). Canaanite religion divided cosmic control among the pantheon. Israel's radical monotheism claimed one God spoke all things into existence. This confession distinguished true religion from false, the living God from dead idols. It became the creedal foundation: Apostles' Creed and Nicene Creed both begin 'I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding yourself as 'blessed' (present tense, settled identity) rather than merely 'hoping to be blessed' change your spiritual posture?
- What practical difference does it make that the God who blesses you is the same God who created everything?
- How might regularly confessing God as 'maker of heaven and earth' guard against functional atheism (living as if He has limited power or authority)?
Analysis & Commentary
Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. The blessing concludes by grounding divine favor in divine identity. Blessed of the LORD (berukhim atem l'Yahweh, בְּרוּכִים אַתֶּם לַיהוָה) uses the passive participle, indicating a settled state: you ARE blessed, not merely you will receive blessing. It's identity before activity, being before doing.
The phrase which made heaven and earth (oseh shamayim va'aretz, עֹשֵׂה שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ) is foundational. The Creator of all things can certainly bless His people. This title appears in the Bible's first verse (Genesis 1:1) and in Abrahamic encounters (Genesis 14:19, 22). It distinguishes Yahweh from territorial or limited deities. Pagan gods ruled specific domains (sea, war, fertility), but Israel's God created and rules all.
The logic is irrefutable: if God made heaven and earth, He owns them (Psalm 24:1). If He owns all, He can dispose of all as He wills. If He chooses to bless His people, no force in heaven or earth can prevent it. Idol gods 'made by hands' are impotent; the God who made hands is omnipotent.