Psalm 33 6

Psalm 33:6 kjv

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Psalm 33:6 nkjv

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.

Psalm 33:6 niv

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

Psalm 33:6 esv

By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Psalm 33:6 nlt

The LORD merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.

Psalm 33 verses

Psalm 33 6 Meaning

Psalm 33:6 declares the absolute power and effortless creation of the Sovereign Lord. It states that the heavens, with all their celestial bodies (their "starry host"), were brought into existence by merely God's spoken "word" and the "breath of his mouth." This emphasizes God's omnipotence, authority, and the inherent power embedded in His divine utterance, showcasing that creation required no struggle or tools, only His decree.

Psalm 33 6 Context

Psalm 33 is a celebratory hymn, calling the righteous to rejoice in the Lord. It focuses on Yahweh's majestic attributes: His uprightness, faithfulness, justice, power in creation, sovereignty over nations, and enduring purposes. Verse 6 specifically highlights His creative power, which serves as foundational evidence for His other attributes mentioned in the psalm—His trustworthy word (v. 4), His rule over nations (v. 10-12), and His watchful care over humanity (v. 13-19). This emphasis on creation through speech also implicitly contrasts with pagan creation myths, which often involve conflict among deities or physical labor, asserting the singular, effortless, and omnipotent nature of the God of Israel. It sets the stage for understanding God's powerful word, which not only creates but also sustains and directs history.

Psalm 33 6 Word analysis

• By the word (בִּדְבַר - bidvar):

  • bidvar combines the preposition "bi-" (by, in, through) with "davar" (word, speech, matter, thing).
  • Significance: It points to the effortless, commanding power of God. Creation is not a struggle but an authoritative decree. It anticipates the concept of God's 'word' being personified as the agent of creation in New Testament theology (John 1).

• of the LORD (יְהוָה - Yahweh):

  • Yahweh is the covenant name of God, revealing His self-existent, eternal, and personal nature.
  • Significance: It indicates that this act of creation is performed by the God who is distinct, sovereign, and intimately involved with His creation and people, not some abstract force or pantheon of deities.

• the heavens (שָׁמַיִם - shamayim):

  • Shamayim refers to the sky or cosmos, often implying the totality of creation beyond the earth, the dwelling place of God, and the visible celestial expanse.
  • Significance: The scope of creation is vast and inclusive. God's word is sufficient for bringing forth the entire cosmic order.

• were made (נַעֲשׂוּ - na'asu):

  • From the verb "asah" (to make, do, create), here in the Niphal (passive) form, meaning "they were made" or "came into being."
  • Significance: The action is solely on God's side, with the heavens being the passive recipient of His creative act. It highlights creation ex nihilo (from nothing) by divine command, not from pre-existing material.

• and by the breath (וּבְרוּחַ - uv'ruach):

  • "u" (and) + "bi-" (by) + "ruach" (spirit, breath, wind).
  • Significance: "Ruach" often carries a divine sense as "Spirit of God." It parallels "word," indicating that God's very being and power, His "Spirit" or life-giving "breath," infused creation with existence. This hints at the active role of the Holy Spirit in creation.

• of his mouth (פִּיו - piv):

  • Piv means "his mouth," a common anthropomorphism for God in the Old Testament.
  • Significance: While God does not literally have a mouth, this emphasizes the direct, intentional, and personal nature of His creative utterance. It signifies that His internal will is expressed externally with immediate effect.

• all their starry host (כָּל־צְבָאָם - kol-tseva'am):

  • Kol (all) + tseva'am (their host, army, multitude, array).
  • Significance: "Host" refers specifically to the celestial bodies (stars, planets, sun, moon), often viewed as an organized "army" under God's command. This phrase underscores the completeness, order, and immense detail within the heavenly creation. It includes every single component of the cosmos, under God's total dominion.

• "By the word of the LORD" & "by the breath of his mouth": These two phrases exhibit perfect parallelism. "Word" refers to His spoken command, His decree. "Breath of his mouth" emphasizes the Spirit, the very vital essence of God, giving life and form to what was spoken. Together, they powerfully convey God's absolute sovereignty and the ease with which He created the vast cosmos. The 'word' gives the form/command, the 'breath' energizes and empowers it into being. This creative power is inherent in God's nature.

Psalm 33 6 Bonus section

• Polemics against Paganism: This verse powerfully refutes contemporary ancient Near Eastern myths where gods might be born, struggle with chaos monsters, or labor exhaustively to form the world. Here, the LORD, by His simple, majestic utterance and life-giving breath, effortlessly brings all into being, demonstrating His singular, self-existent power and challenging the worship of celestial bodies often seen as deities by other nations.
• Revelation of Divine Order: The term "host" (tzava) also implies military organization. God’s creation is not chaotic but an orderly "army" under His direct command, revealing His meticulous design and ongoing control over the cosmos.
• Theology of Divine Speech: This verse is key to understanding the doctrine of God's efficacious word, which accomplishes whatever He desires (Isa 55:11). This same power found in creation is inherent in His promises, His laws, and His decrees throughout Scripture.

Psalm 33 6 Commentary

Psalm 33:6 serves as a foundational declaration of God's unparalleled power and unique mode of creation. Unlike any other being, God simply spoke, and the entire cosmos came into existence. This highlights several profound theological truths: His omnipotence, as no effort or struggle was involved; His supreme sovereignty, as all creation submits to His voice; and His distinctness from idols, who have "mouths but cannot speak." The parallelism between "word" and "breath/spirit" further underscores the unified divine action in creation, hinting at the integral roles of God's decreed will and His life-giving Spirit. For the ancient Israelite audience, this truth powerfully asserted Yahweh's sole authority over all reality, including the celestial bodies that many surrounding cultures worshipped, implicitly functioning as a polemic against pagan astrological beliefs. In the New Testament, this verse finds a deeper echo in the Person of Christ, the Eternal Word (Logos), through whom all things were made (John 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2), showing the triune God's unified agency in creation. It establishes creation as the first act of revelation of God's nature and power, compelling humanity to worship Him as the uncaused First Cause and Sovereign Lord of all.