Psalms 78:69
And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.
Original Language Analysis
רָ֭מִים
like high
H7311
רָ֭מִים
like high
Strong's:
H7311
Word #:
3 of 7
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
מִקְדָּשׁ֑וֹ
his sanctuary
H4720
מִקְדָּשׁ֑וֹ
his sanctuary
Strong's:
H4720
Word #:
4 of 7
a consecrated thing or place, especially, a palace, sanctuary (whether of jehovah or of idols) or asylum
כְּ֝אֶ֗רֶץ
palaces like the earth
H776
כְּ֝אֶ֗רֶץ
palaces like the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
5 of 7
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Historical Context
Solomon's temple (built 966-959 BC) was architecturally magnificent, using costly materials and skilled craftsmen (1 Kings 6-7). Its dedication featured God's glory filling the house (1 Kings 8:10-11). Though destroyed by Babylon (586 BC) and rebuilt under Zerubbabel (520-515 BC), the temple represented God's permanent commitment to dwell among His people.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding Christ as God's ultimate temple affect your view of worship and God's presence?
- What does it mean that the church—believers collectively—is God's temple 'established forever'?
- In what ways do earthly worship spaces point to heavenly realities without becoming ends in themselves?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever. God's choosing (v. 68) leads to building. His sanctuary (mikdasho, מִקְדָּשׁוֹ) refers to Solomon's temple, but the cosmic similes transcend any physical building. Like high palaces (kemo ramim, כְּמוֹ־רָמִים) compares the temple to heaven's lofty heights—God's earthly dwelling mirrors His celestial palace.
The second simile, like the earth which he hath established for ever (ke'eretz yesadah le'olam, כְּאֶרֶץ יְסָדָהּ לְעוֹלָם), promises permanence. God founded (yasad, יָסַד) both earth and temple with enduring stability. Though Solomon's temple was later destroyed, this verse anticipates the eternal temple—Christ Himself (John 2:19-21) and the church as God's dwelling (1 Corinthians 3:16, Ephesians 2:21-22).
The architectural imagery points to the new Jerusalem descending from heaven (Revelation 21:2-3), where God dwells with humanity forever. What began with the tabernacle, continued in the temple, and was incarnated in Jesus will consummate in eternal divine-human fellowship.