Psalm 115:16
ESV
The heavens are the Lord 's heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.
NIV
The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind.
NASB
The heavens are the heavens of the Lord, But the earth He has given to the sons of mankind.
CSB
The heavens are the Lord’s, but the earth he has given to the human race.
NLT
The heavens belong to the Lord, but he has given the earth to all humanity.
KJV
The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
NKJV
The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.
What does Psalm 115:16 mean?
Please see our chapter commentary on Psalm 115; verse-level content coming soon!Psalm 115:16–18 concludes the psalm with a series of statements. God rules all things, and makes His home in heaven, but He has allowed men to rule over the earth (Genesis 1:28; 9:1–2, 7). Those who die can no longer worship the Lord from earth (Isaiah 38:18; Psalm 30:9), so the psalmist anticipates rescuing so the people can continue to praise the Lord.
Psalm 115 turns all praise and credit away from the people of Israel and gives it entirely to God. Pagan nations worshipped statues and objects. They might have ridiculed Israel's worship of an invisible deity. Yet their own idols were unthinking, unmoving, silent fakes. They were shaped like men but couldn't even do the things ordinary men could do. Israel should maintain trust in the Lord, who chose them as His people and made a covenant with them. The psalmist anticipates a long, productive life of worship because of God's protection.