Psa 136:5-6 | KingComments | STEP | When the question is asked why God created the heavens and the earth, we read the answer here: because “His lovingkindness is everlasting”. The singing of the wonder of creation begins with the observation that the LORD is the One “who alone does great wonders” ( ). No one does and can do that but He “alone” ( ). Everything the LORD does brings the believer to amazement, yes deep amazement. Even as he contemplates creation, the space for man to live ( ) and the set times ( ), he recognizes in them the lovingkindness of the LORD. The LORD does that “alone”. That is not “alone” in the sense of without help from others. Of course, that’s true too. But He does it especially “alone” simply because He is the Only One Who can do it. There is no one else. In addition, the great wonders are not so much an expression of His power, but of His lovingkindness which is everlasting. Power that is based on lovingkindness is not only rare, it is completely unique. Therefore, His lovingkindness is also everlasting. He is the Only One “who made the heavens with skill” ( ). God, in His great wonders concerning creation, demonstrates His skill and wisdom, which He alone possesses ( ; ). When we look to the heavens, we see that His lovingkindness is everlasting. It is an uninterrupted demonstration of His lovingkindness to man, for He has made heaven for man with skill into what he needs. The same is true of “the earth” which He “spread out … above the water” ( ; ; ). He caused the earth to emerge from the water as the habitat of man and other creatures. That man and animals feel at home on the earth is the result of the lovingkindness of God. Redeemed man will praise Him for this during the realm of peace. In , the psalmist turns his attention in particular to the heavens in relation to the earth. He speaks of the “great lights” that God “made” ( ; ). Through the great lights, everything on earth is illuminated and man can enjoy all that God has made. God made “the sun to rule by day” ( ; ) and “the moon and stars to rule by night” ( ; ). These great lights are important to life on earth, both for nature and for orientation. They testify to God’s lovingkindness to all the creatures He has created and especially to His people. For the LORD made these great lights and the lesser lights in the first place to serve for His people as fixed times ( ; ), that is, to determine for them the times of the various feasts of the LORD ( ). They are, as it were, the arrangements for the times of meeting between the LORD and His people.

‏ Psalms 136:5-6

The Wonder of Creation

When the question is asked why God created the heavens and the earth, we read the answer here: because “His lovingkindness is everlasting”. The singing of the wonder of creation begins with the observation that the LORD is the One “who alone does great wonders” (Psa 136:4). No one does and can do that but He “alone” (Psa 72:18).

Everything the LORD does brings the believer to amazement, yes deep amazement. Even as he contemplates creation, the space for man to live (Psa 136:5-6) and the set times (Psa 136:7-9), he recognizes in them the lovingkindness of the LORD.

The LORD does that “alone”. That is not “alone” in the sense of without help from others. Of course, that’s true too. But He does it especially “alone” simply because He is the Only One Who can do it. There is no one else. In addition, the great wonders are not so much an expression of His power, but of His lovingkindness which is everlasting. Power that is based on lovingkindness is not only rare, it is completely unique. Therefore, His lovingkindness is also everlasting.

He is the Only One “who made the heavens with skill” (Psa 136:5). God, in His great wonders concerning creation, demonstrates His skill and wisdom, which He alone possesses (Pro 3:19 ; Pro 8:24-31; Jer 10:12). When we look to the heavens, we see that His lovingkindness is everlasting. It is an uninterrupted demonstration of His lovingkindness to man, for He has made heaven for man with skill into what he needs.

The same is true of “the earth” which He “spread out … above the water” (Psa 136:6; Gen 1:9; Psa 24:1-2). He caused the earth to emerge from the water as the habitat of man and other creatures. That man and animals feel at home on the earth is the result of the lovingkindness of God. Redeemed man will praise Him for this during the realm of peace.

In Psa 136:7-9, the psalmist turns his attention in particular to the heavens in relation to the earth. He speaks of the “great lights” that God “made” (Psa 136:7; Gen 1:14). Through the great lights, everything on earth is illuminated and man can enjoy all that God has made.

God made “the sun to rule by day” (Psa 136:8; Gen 1:16a) and “the moon and stars to rule by night” (Psa 136:9; Gen 1:16b). These great lights are important to life on earth, both for nature and for orientation. They testify to God’s lovingkindness to all the creatures He has created and especially to His people.

For the LORD made these great lights and the lesser lights in the first place to serve for His people as fixed times (Gen 1:14; Psa 104:19), that is, to determine for them the times of the various feasts of the LORD (Lev 23:2). They are, as it were, the arrangements for the times of meeting between the LORD and His people.