And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text isn't just stating that Jesus created the universe; it's using this powerful declaration from the Psalms to show that the Creator Himself, the eternal God, is the one who will ultimately bring all things to their final fulfillment. This highlights Jesus' immense, unchanging authority and role in God's eternal plan, far surpassing any created being like angels.
And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is continuing his argument that Jesus is far superior to the angels. Having already shown that Jesus received a divine title ("God") and possesses an eternal throne, he now quotes from Psalm 102 to demonstrate that Jesus is the Creator of all things, not a created being like angels. This sets up the contrast in the following verses where the Son's unchanging nature is highlighted against the transient nature of creation itself.
Did you know the universe itself testifies to Jesus' divinity? This verse points to something ancient and foundational about who Jesus is.
This verse, a quotation from Psalm 102, directly calls Jesus 'Lord' and attributes to Him the act of laying the earth's foundation and creating the heavens. This isn't about Jesus being a helper in creation, but the primary agent.
The 'Beginning'
'In the beginning' echoes Genesis 1:1, pointing to the absolute start of all things. It signifies that Jesus existed before anything else and was instrumental in bringing everything into existence. As John 1:3 says, 'All things were made through him, and without him was not made anything that was made.'
Divine Workmanship
The phrase 'the heavens are the work of your hands' highlights the deliberate skill and power involved in creation. It wasn't an accident but a purposeful act. This grandeur and complexity of the cosmos are attributed to Jesus, underscoring His divine nature and authority over all creation.
Why would the writer of Hebrews take words addressed to God in the Old Testament and apply them to Jesus?
The author of Hebrews is skillfully arguing for Jesus' supreme authority by showing how Old Testament Scripture, which speaks of God the Creator, is applied to Jesus. This wasn't a random choice; it was a deliberate move to reveal Jesus' divine identity.
Divine Testimony
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While the original Psalm 102 was addressed to God (Yahweh), the New Testament writer applies it to Jesus. This demonstrates a profound understanding in the early church that Jesus is God. The writer isn't misusing Scripture; he's revealing its intended, deeper meaning fulfilled in Christ.
Proving Superiority
The entire argument of Hebrews 1 is to show Jesus is superior to angels. By quoting a passage that describes the eternal, unchanging God as the Creator of all things and applying it to Jesus, the author makes an undeniable case. If Jesus is the one who established the very foundations of the earth and fashioned the heavens, He must be far above any created being, including angels.
Understand the original words
kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of respect, sovereignty, and ownership. In the New Testament, it is frequently applied to Jesus Christ, denoting His divinity, authority over creation, and role as the covenant Lord.
themelion · Greek Noun
The basic structure or starting point upon which a building or creation rests. It symbolizes the establishment of the world by God's power and intent.
This verse applies a psalm originally addressed to Yahweh during the exile to Jesus, highlighting His divine nature as the unchangeable Creator, contrasting Him with the temporary nature of created beings, including angels.
c. 500 BC
Babylonian Exile
The Jewish people are in exile in Babylon, experiencing deep affliction and longing for deliverance and the restoration of Jerusalem.
c. 500 BC
Psalm 102 Written
A psalm of lament and hope is written, describing the suffering of God's people and praying for God's intervention to rebuild Zion.
c. 50 AD - 60 AD— this verse
Composition of Hebrews
The Epistle to the Hebrews is written to Jewish Christians facing persecution and potential apostasy, urging them to persevere in their faith in Jesus.
This verse directly echoes Genesis 1:1, highlighting the Son's role as the eternal God who existed and acted 'in the beginning' of creation, establishing His supremacy before all things.
Psalm 33:6This passage speaks of God creating the heavens and the earth by the word of His mouth, directly paralleling the Hebrews text's assertion that the Son, the Lord Himself, is the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
John 1:1-3John's Gospel explicitly states that 'the Word was with God, and the Word was God,' and 'all things were made through him,' directly supporting the application of these creation verses to the Son.
Colossians 1:15-16This passage identifies the Son as the image of the invisible God, through whom all things in heaven and on earth were created, reinforcing the Son's identity as the Creator mentioned in Hebrews.
Isaiah 40:28This verse directly asks 'Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth,' which the author of Hebrews applies to the Son, highlighting His divine, unchanging nature as the Creator.
ellicottHebrews 1:10: "And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:"
(10) And. — Hebrews 1:10-12 are by this word linked with Hebrews 1:8 , as presenting the second part of the contrast between angels and the Son. As there we read of a divine sovereignty, so here of the work of creation, the power to change all created things, the divine attribute of changeless existence. This quotation from Psalm 102:25-27 agrees almost exactly…
pooleHebrews 1:10: "And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:"
And, Thou, Lord: this connective particle joins this to the former proof, that Christ had a more excellent name than angels, even that of God. That he was God, he proved out of Psalm 45:6,7 . He seconds it in this and the two following verses, which he quotes out of Psalm 102:25-27 . The strength of which lieth thus: He who was Jehovah, and the great Creator of…
The text isn't just stating that Jesus created the universe; it's using this powerful declaration from the Psalms to show that the Creator Himself, the eternal God, is the one who will ultimately bring all things to their final fulfillment. This highlights Jesus' immense, unchanging authority and role in God's eternal plan, far surpassing any created being like angels.
The author is continuing his argument that Jesus is far superior to the angels. Having already shown that Jesus received a divine title ("God") and possesses an eternal throne, he now quotes from Psalm 102 to demonstrate that Jesus is the Creator of all things, not a created being like angels. This sets up the contrast in the following verses where the Son's unchanging nature is highlighted against the transient nature of creation itself.
The author is continuing his argument that Jesus is far superior to the angels. Having already shown that Jesus received a divine title ("God") and possesses an eternal throne, he now quotes from Psalm 102 to demonstrate that Jesus is the Creator of all things, not a created being like angels. This sets up the contrast in the following verses where the Son's unchanging nature is highlighted against the transient nature of creation itself.
"And,
“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning,
and the heavens are the work of your hands;" — The text isn't just stating that Jesus created the universe; it's using this powerful declaration from the Psalms to show that the Creator Himself, the eternal God, is the one who will ultimately bri…
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Last reviewed October 2026