Psalms 136:7-9
to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The phrase "great lights" isn't just referring to the sun and moon as large celestial bodies, but rather as a poetic way to encompass all sources of light and illumination, connecting them back to God's initial act of creation. This highlights how even the most fundamental aspects of our daily existence, like light itself, are expressions of His enduring love and faithfulness.
This Psalm is a song of thanksgiving, a call to praise God for his enduring love, presented as a series of divine acts. It begins by establishing God as supreme, then moves through creation: the heavens, the earth, and specifically the celestial bodies that govern day and night. Each declaration of God's goodness in these acts is met with the refrain, "for his steadfast love endures forever."
Have you ever looked up at the sun or moon and felt a sense of awe? This Psalm reminds us that these 'great lights' are not just beautiful celestial bodies, but powerful declarations of God's eternal goodness.
Psalm 136 is a powerful song of thanksgiving, built around a repeated refrain: 'for his steadfast love endures forever.' In verse 7, the focus shifts to God's creative power, specifically the 'great lights' – the sun and moon.
A Cosmic Symphony
The commentaries note that the phrase 'great lights' echoes the language used in Genesis 1 when God created the sun, moon, and stars. This isn't just a scientific description; it's a theological one. God didn't just make these lights; He ordered them, giving them their purpose and place in the cosmos.
Light as a Symbol
Light itself, and by extension the celestial bodies that provide it, is often used in Scripture as a symbol of God's presence, guidance, and the revelation of His truth. The very existence and regular function of the sun and moon, banishing darkness and marking time, are acts of divine provision. Every sunrise and moonrise is a fresh reminder that the Creator's love is consistent and unchanging.
We often take the sun rising and setting for granted. But Psalm 136 points to a deeper truth: this reliable cosmic order is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness.
The repeated phrase, 'his steadfast love endures forever,' is the heartbeat of Psalm 136. It’s not just tacked onto descriptions of God’s actions; it’s the very reason and context for them.
Order from Chaos
When the Psalm mentions God making the 'great lights,' it’s referring to the very establishment of order in the universe. The sun and moon were set in their places to rule the day and night, a pattern that has continued without fail for millennia. This consistency isn't accidental; it's a deliberate act of a loving God.
Love as the Foundation
Understand the original words
ma'or · Hebrew Noun
Celestial bodies created by God to provide light and mark times. In biblical theology, they testify to God's glory, order, and faithfulness in governing the created universe.
mashal · Hebrew Verb
To exercise authority, govern, or have dominion. Biblically, God is the ultimate Ruler, and He delegates functional authority to His creatures or celestial bodies to fulfill His orderly purposes.
This psalm, likely sung during or after the Babylonian exile, uses the creation of the 'great lights' (sun and moon) as a powerful reminder of God's enduring faithfulness and power, offering comfort and hope during a time when their national and religious life had been shattered.
c. 1400 BC
The Pentateuch is Written
The first five books of the Bible, including the creation account in Genesis, are traditionally attributed to Moses and written during the Exodus period, establishing the foundational understanding of creation.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Temple Music Established
King David organizes the worship of God in Jerusalem, establishing Levitical choirs and musicians who would perform psalms like Psalm 136, likely with its repetitive refrain, 'for his steadfast love endures forever.'
c. 597 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
As Babylon's power grew, King Jehoiachin and many of Judah's elite were exiled to Babylon. This event marked a significant crisis for the Jewish people, leading to a re-evaluation of God's promises and presence.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar, destroy Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and scattering many more Israelites. This was a devastating blow to national and religious life.
This passage directly parallels the creation of the 'great lights' – the sun and moon – in the biblical creation account, establishing the foundational context for this verse.
Psalm 104:19This verse speaks of God appointing the moon for seasons and the sun knowing its time to set, continuing the theme of God's ordered creation and care for the cosmos.
Jeremiah 31:35-36This passage echoes the steadfastness of the celestial bodies (sun, moon, stars) as a testament to God's enduring covenant and faithfulness, connecting creation to His lasting love.
Romans 1:20This verse teaches that God's invisible attributes, like His eternal power and divine nature, are clearly seen through what has been made, including the great lights, pointing to Him as Creator.
ellicottPsalms 136:7: "To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:"
(7) Lights. —An unusual word, meaning light itself, and not luminaries. But possibly the poet wished in one phrase to combine Genesis 1:3 ; Genesis 1:14-15 .
pulpitPsalms 136:7: "To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:"
Verse 7. - To him that made great lights (see Genesis 1:14-16). For his mercy, etc. Ver. 8 - The sun to rule by day (comp. Genesis 1:16). For his mercy, etc.
The phrase "great lights" isn't just referring to the sun and moon as large celestial bodies, but rather as a poetic way to encompass all sources of light and illumination, connecting them back to God's initial act of creation. This highlights how even the most fundamental aspects of our daily existence, like light itself, are expressions of His enduring love and faithfulness.
This Psalm is a song of thanksgiving, a call to praise God for his enduring love, presented as a series of divine acts. It begins by establishing God as supreme, then moves through creation: the heavens, the earth, and specifically the celestial bodies that govern day and night. Each declaration of God's goodness in these acts is met with the refrain, "for his steadfast love endures forever."
This Psalm is a song of thanksgiving, a call to praise God for his enduring love, presented as a series of divine acts. It begins by establishing God as supreme, then moves through creation: the heavens, the earth, and specifically the celestial bodies that govern day and night. Each declaration of God's goodness in these acts is met with the refrain, "for his steadfast love endures forever."
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Think about what it means for God's love to be the foundation of creation. It means that the laws of physics, the cycles of nature, and the very stability of our world are all expressions of His enduring commitment. Even when we experience turmoil, the fact that the sun continues to rise is a whisper of His steadfast love, always present and always true.
c. 538 BC— this verse
Edict of Cyrus and Return from Exile
The Persian king Cyrus the Great issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marked a new era of hope and restoration, though under foreign rule.
"to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endur…" — The phrase "great lights" isn't just referring to the sun and moon as large celestial bodies, but rather as a poetic way to encompass all sources of light and illumination, connecting them back to Go…
