Bible Strands
Psalms 136:7
He made the great lights—His loving devotion endures forever.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses a worshiping community in a liturgical call-and-response format, marking each declaration of creation with a fixed refrain. The moment follows the description of the earth being placed on the waters and precedes the mention of the sun ruling the day.
The words — עֹשֵׂה ('o.seh) translates literally to "made" or "one who made," while חַסְדּוֹ (chas.do) means "His covenant loyalty." These terms anchor the verse in divine action and enduring faithfulness.
The thread — The verse echoes Genesis 1:14 regarding lights set in the sky, aligns with Psalms 74:16 on God establishing the moon and sun, and stands in contrast to Deuteronomy 4:19’s warning against bowing to the host of heaven.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of God as the sole maker of the great lights, requiring the reader to separate creation from worship and attribute celestial order to His enduring loyalty.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
Cross-references
- Genesis 1:14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to distinguish between the day and the night, and let them be signs to mark the seasons and days and years.
- Deuteronomy 4:19 When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
- Psalms 74:16 The day is Yours, and also the night; You established the moon and the sun.
- Psalms 104:19 He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set.