Psalm 146 6

Psalm 146:6 kjv

Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

Psalm 146:6 nkjv

Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever,

Psalm 146:6 niv

He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them? he remains faithful forever.

Psalm 146:6 esv

who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;

Psalm 146:6 nlt

He made heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them.
He keeps every promise forever.

Psalm 146 verses

Psalm 146 6 Meaning

Psalm 146:6 declares the unrivaled nature of God as the comprehensive Creator of all existence and emphasizes His eternal steadfastness and truthfulness. It asserts that He is the architect and active sustainer of the entire universe, from the highest heavens to the depths of the seas, and everything within them. This foundational truth about His power and scope is immediately followed by the assurance that His faithfulness endures without end, establishing Him as the utterly reliable object of trust, in stark contrast to the fleeting and fallible nature of human power.

Psalm 146 6 Context

Psalm 146 is one of the "Hallelujah Psalms" (Psalms 146-150), opening and closing with "Praise the Lord!" Its immediate context is a stark contrast between trusting in fallible human leaders and placing one's hope in the eternally trustworthy God. Verses 3-4 warn against relying on "princes, in whom there is no salvation," emphasizing their transient nature and the perishability of their plans. Verse 5 pronounces a blessing upon those "whose hope is in the Lord their God." Verse 6 then provides the foundational reason for this hope: the absolute power and unwavering character of God. This divine trustworthiness is then elaborated through His specific acts of justice and compassion in verses 7-9, culminating in the declaration that the Lord reigns forever. Historically and culturally, this psalm subtly counters the prevailing polytheistic beliefs of ancient Near Eastern nations, where gods often had limited domains or struggled for power. The God of Israel is presented as the singular, ultimate Creator of everything, who rules sovereignly and eternally, upholding truth and justice—a direct polemic against reliance on idols or human monarchs who would eventually fail or pass away.

Psalm 146 6 Word analysis

• He is the Maker (עֹשֶׂה, 'oseh): This Hebrew participle denotes not merely a past act of creation but an ongoing, active "doing" or "making." It implies God's continued involvement and proprietorship over creation. This word choice elevates God above human artisans or gods who simply "ordered" existing chaos; He is the active origin point. The emphasis is on His sovereignty and capacity.

• of heaven and earth (שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ, shamayim v'eretz): This is a Hebrew merism, a figure of speech where two contrasting parts represent the whole. It signifies the totality of the created order—the celestial realm and the terrestrial realm—encompassing every visible and invisible thing. It echoes Gen 1:1, establishing the God of the Psalm as the God of Genesis, the origin of all.

• the sea (הַיָּם, hayyam): In ancient Near Eastern cosmologies, the sea often symbolized chaotic, untamed forces or primordial darkness (as in certain myths of Marduk conquering Tiamat). By specifically mentioning the sea as part of God's creation, the psalm asserts that even the most formidable, potentially chaotic elements are utterly subjected to God's will and power. He does not struggle against chaos; He creates and controls it.

• and everything in them (כָּל־אֲשֶׁר בָּם, kol-asher bam): This phrase extends the scope of creation to an absolute comprehensive extent. Nothing existing within the heavens, earth, or sea is outside of God's making. This re-emphasizes His infinite power and authority, leaving no corner of the cosmos unaccounted for by His creative work.

• he remains faithful (שֹׁמֵר אֱמֶת, shomer emet):

  • shomer: The verb means "keeps," "guards," "preserves," "observes." It signifies a watchful, active upholding. God isn't just a Creator who stepped back; He is continually involved in maintaining His word and His covenant.
  • emet: This rich Hebrew word translates to "truth," "faithfulness," "steadfastness," "reliability," "constancy." It points to God's unchangeable character and His unswerving commitment to His promises and purposes. His nature is truth. This links His boundless power (as Creator) with His unblemished character (as faithful), making Him worthy of ultimate trust.

• forever (לְעוֹלָם, l'olam): This signifies eternality, perpetuity, and endless duration. God's faithfulness is not temporary or contingent but absolute and unending. It assures that His promises will never lapse, His character will never change, and His work of preserving justice and righteousness will never cease. This stands in stark contrast to the finite nature of human rulers mentioned in the preceding verses.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them": This entire clause serves as a powerful declaration of God's cosmic sovereignty and unparalleled creative power. It grounds His worthiness of praise and trust in His unique ability as the source of all existence. It contrasts with pagan deities limited to specific domains, highlighting the monotheistic, infinite scope of the God of Israel. This cosmic power is the prerequisite for Him to act effectively on behalf of the needy (v. 7-9).
  • "he remains faithful forever": This second part of the verse links God's power (as Creator) to His character (as faithful). It underscores that His ability to create and sustain the universe is matched by His unchanging commitment to truth, justice, and His covenant people. This assures the worshiper that God's grand promises are backed by an unfailing nature. The eternal faithfulness ensures that all His creative acts and redemptive plans will endure and come to fruition, making Him supremely trustworthy above all else.

Psalm 146 6 Bonus section

The emphasis on God as "Maker of heaven and earth, the sea" holds a strong polemical force against various ancient worldviews. It directly challenges the common understanding of deities who were part of or emerged from a pre-existing chaotic cosmic substance. The God of Israel is the absolute originator, not merely an organizer or a participant in a struggle of forces. This includes the mighty and fearsome sea, often depicted as a primal monster in other cultures, is here simply one more element within God's ordered creation. Furthermore, in contrast to ancient rulers who often claimed divine ancestry or extraordinary power to justify their rule, this verse subtly reinforces that true power and stability reside only in the Lord. Human kings and princes, no matter how mighty, are but temporary figures, whereas God's creative work and faithful nature are everlasting. This foundational truth about God's identity underpins His active involvement in defending the cause of the oppressed, giving food to the hungry, and setting the captives free (as detailed in the subsequent verses), illustrating that His immense cosmic power is wielded for justice and mercy towards humanity.

Psalm 146 6 Commentary

Psalm 146:6 serves as the theological anchor for the entire psalm's exhortation to trust in God alone. By first establishing God as the omnipotent Maker of the cosmos, the psalm elevates Him far above any earthly power or human leader. His creative act—encompassing "heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them"—demonstrates His absolute control and ownership over all existence, from the sublime to the mundane. This comprehensive creativity distinguishes the Lord from all other so-called gods, who are either fabricated or derive power from limited domains. Beyond His raw creative power, the verse highlights His unwavering faithfulness, "He remains faithful forever." This crucial attribute signifies His integrity, reliability, and unchanging commitment to His word and character. Unlike humans, whose plans and promises are fleeting and subject to failure (as noted in Ps 146:3-4), God’s faithfulness is eternal and absolute. This perfect fusion of infinite power and immutable character makes God the only secure foundation for hope and trust. For believers, this means God, who orchestrates galaxies, is simultaneously attentive to the smallest details of their lives and perfectly reliable in His promises of sustenance, justice, and redemption. His past creative acts guarantee His future faithfulness in upholding His covenant and caring for His creation, especially those who rely upon Him.