Psalms 115:16
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁ֭מַיִם
The heaven
H8064
שָׁ֭מַיִם
The heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
1 of 7
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
שָׁ֭מַיִם
The heaven
H8064
שָׁ֭מַיִם
The heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
2 of 7
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
לַיהוָ֑ה
are the LORD'S
H3068
לַיהוָ֑ה
are the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נָתַ֥ן
hath he given
H5414
נָתַ֥ן
hath he given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
5 of 7
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Psalms 8:6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:Psalms 89:11The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.Deuteronomy 32:8When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.Psalms 144:5Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.Isaiah 66:1Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?
Historical Context
Ancient cosmology recognized heaven as God's dwelling place (1 Kings 8:30, Isaiah 66:1) and earth as humanity's domain. Yet earth remained God's property (Leviticus 25:23, 'the land is mine'). Israel lived as tenants, stewards of God's land. The exile demonstrated that disobedience forfeited occupancy—God expelled them from His land. The return from exile renewed stewardship, but with sobering awareness that land tenure depends on covenant faithfulness. For Christians, this earthly stewardship anticipates inheriting the new earth (Matthew 5:5, Revelation 21:1).
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding earth as 'given to' rather than 'owned by' humans affect environmental, economic, and political ethics?
- What is your responsibility as a steward of the portion of earth (resources, relationships, opportunities) God has entrusted to you?
- How does delegated dominion help explain the problem of evil without reducing God's sovereignty or human accountability?
Analysis & Commentary
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. This verse articulates the biblical doctrine of delegated dominion. The dual reference to heaven, even the heavens (hashamayim shamayim l'Yahweh, הַשָּׁמַיִם שָׁמַיִם לַיהוָה) uses repetition for emphasis—all heavenly realms belong exclusively to God. This includes the atmospheric heavens, celestial heavens, and spiritual heavens (2 Corinthians 12:2).
But the earth hath he given to the children of men (veha'aretz natan livnei adam, וְהָאָרֶץ נָתַן לִבְנֵי־אָדָם) echoes the creation mandate: 'Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it' (Genesis 1:28). God retains ultimate ownership (Psalm 24:1, 'The earth is the LORD's') but grants humans stewardship, responsibility, and domain. This is delegated authority, not autonomous ownership.
The verse answers potential objection: if God made everything, why doesn't He fix everything? Answer: He gave earth to humans, making us responsible agents. Human sin brought corruption; human obedience enables flourishing. God governs from heaven while assigning earthly management to humanity. This sets up verse 17's crucial point about human responsibility to praise.