Psalms 136:6
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Original Language Analysis
לְרֹקַ֣ע
To him that stretched out
H7554
לְרֹקַ֣ע
To him that stretched out
Strong's:
H7554
Word #:
1 of 7
to pound the earth (as a sign of passion); by analogy to expand (by hammering); by implication, to overlay (with thin sheets of metal)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַמָּ֑יִם
above the waters
H4325
הַמָּ֑יִם
above the waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
4 of 7
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
כִּ֖י
H3588
כִּ֖י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 24:2For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.Jeremiah 10:12He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.Genesis 1:9And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.Isaiah 42:5Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:Isaiah 44:24Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;Job 26:7He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.Zechariah 12:1The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.Isaiah 40:22It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:Job 37:18Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glass?
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern creation myths (Enuma Elish, Atrahasis) depicted creation as divine conflict—gods warring, defeating chaos monsters, forming earth from slain enemies. By contrast, Israel's account presents sovereign God effortlessly ordering creation by His word. The emphasis on wisdom and purpose (not violence and conflict) distinguished Israel's theology. God's stretching out earth above waters demonstrates authority over chaos, providing secure dwelling for humanity. This would comfort exiles far from homeland, assuring that the God who established earth's foundations would restore Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the image of God 'stretching out the earth above the waters' (establishing order from chaos) speak to areas of disorder and chaos in your life?
- What does it mean that God's mercy (chesed) sustains the physical creation—how does this inform Christian environmental stewardship?
- In what ways have you experienced God's stabilizing presence when 'waters' of difficulty threatened to overwhelm you?
Analysis & Commentary
To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever. The psalmist moves from heavens to earth, celebrating God's formation of habitable land. "Stretched out the earth" (לְרֹקַע הָאָרֶץ/leroqa ha'arets) uses רָקַע (raqa), to spread out, stamp, or stretch like hammering metal into a sheet. This recalls Genesis 1:9 where God gathered waters, allowing dry land to appear. The image suggests divine craftsmanship—God as smith hammering out the earth's surface.
"Above the waters" (עַל־הַמָּיִם/al-hamayim) reflects ancient Near Eastern cosmology where waters threatened chaos but God established earth securely above them. Genesis 1:2 pictures primordial waters; God's creative act organized chaos into order, establishing firm ground for life. The preposition עַל (al, upon/above) suggests earth's stability despite surrounding waters—God's wisdom maintains order against entropic dissolution.
Again, "for his mercy endureth for ever" connects creation to covenant faithfulness. Earth's stability isn't mechanical but relational—God's loyal love sustains creation. The same chesed that holds earth above waters holds His people secure amid life's threatening floods (Psalm 46:1-3, Isaiah 43:2). Every stable step we take witnesses to God's enduring mercy.