Psalm 95 5

Psalm 95:5 kjv

The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:5 nkjv

The sea is His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:5 niv

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:5 esv

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:5 nlt

The sea belongs to him, for he made it.
His hands formed the dry land, too.

Psalm 95 verses

Psalm 95 5 Meaning

Psalm 95:5 declares God's absolute ownership and complete control over the vast sea and the firm dry land, attributing this divine sovereignty directly to His powerful and deliberate act of creation. It asserts that His being the Creator is the fundamental basis for His proprietorship over all things.

Psalm 95 5 Context

Psalm 95 is a communal worship Psalm, often designated for liturgical use, particularly in the temple. It flows in two distinct movements: first, a joyful invitation to worship YHWH (verses 1-7a), and second, a stern warning against hardening one's heart, reminiscent of Israel's disobedience in the wilderness (verses 7b-11). Verse 5 falls within the initial call to worship, providing the theological foundation for the praise and adoration urged upon the people. The preceding verses proclaim YHWH as a great King, greater than all other gods, holding the depths of the earth and the heights of the mountains in His hand (vv. 3-4). Verse 5 extends this affirmation of His ultimate power and ownership specifically to the sea and the dry land, reinforcing His universal dominion. It establishes His creative power as the basis for worship and the legitimacy of His claim over all existence.

Historically and culturally, this declaration directly confronts the polytheistic beliefs of surrounding ancient Near Eastern peoples who worshipped multiple deities, each presiding over different domains (e.g., sea gods, earth gods, sky gods). Psalm 95:5 presents a polemic, asserting that YHWH, the God of Israel, is the sole Creator and owner of all domains, including those often attributed to independent deities in other mythologies, thus invalidating rival claims and asserting monotheistic truth.

Psalm 95 5 Word Analysis

• The sea (יָם - yam): Refers to the vast, often turbulent, bodies of water. In ancient Near Eastern cosmologies, the sea was sometimes associated with primeval chaos or deities of conflict. Here, it is unequivocally presented as a possession of YHWH, highlighting His dominion over forces perceived as powerful or uncontrollable.

• is His (לוֹ - lo): An emphatic possessive pronoun. It conveys absolute, inherent ownership. It means "to Him" or "belonging to Him," underscoring that the sea is not merely under His control but is His very own, by right of creation.

• for He made it (וְהוּא עָשָׂהוּ - ve-hu asahu):

  • He (הוּא - hu): An emphatic personal pronoun, stressing "He alone." It refutes any shared credit for creation.
  • made (עָשָׂה - asah): This Hebrew verb signifies general making, doing, or creating. It encompasses the broad act of bringing something into existence, implying comprehensive creative activity and sovereignty.

• and His hands (וְיָדָיו - ve-yadaw): The plural form of yad (hand). Anthropomorphic language referring to God's active involvement, power, and precise work. "Hands" denote intimate, direct engagement and skill in shaping and forming, rather than creation through mere thought or word alone (though that is also a biblical concept, cf. Ps 33:6).

• formed (יָצָרוּ - yatsaru): This Hebrew verb specifically means "to form," "to fashion," or "to mold," much like a potter forms clay. It implies careful, intentional design, deliberate craftsmanship, and specific shaping for a purpose. It speaks to a more intricate, artistic process than the general verb "made."

• the dry land (יַבָּשֶׁת - yabbashah): The solid, terra firma, as distinct from the waters. Its formation, as depicted in Gen 1:9-10, involves the separation of land from chaotic waters, symbolizing divine order and the establishment of a habitable world for humanity and other living creatures.

• "The sea is His, for He made it": This phrase asserts ownership (is His) based on the act of creation (He made it). It is a cause-and-effect relationship: because He brought it into existence, He rightfully possesses and governs it. It negates any notion of an independent or co-eternal sea force.

• "and His hands formed the dry land": This complements the previous statement by specifying the intimate, skillful, and purposeful manner in which God created the land. The use of "hands formed" suggests meticulous attention to detail and a personal crafting, preparing a stable realm for life, which underscores God's wisdom and provision.

Psalm 95 5 Bonus Section

The divine names and attributes in Psalm 95 flow naturally from this declaration of creation. Immediately preceding verse 5, God is called "the LORD" (YHWH, the covenant-keeping God), a "great King," and a God "above all gods" (vv. 3). Verse 5 provides the evidence for this claim of kingship and supremacy: He holds the ultimate domain because He created it all. The connection between creation and worship is paramount in this Psalm, building a compelling case for devotion based on God's omnipotence and artistry. This verse also implicitly foreshadows God's power over natural elements demonstrated through biblical history, such as the parting of the Red Sea (Exo 14) and Christ calming the storm (Mk 4:39), illustrating His continued active reign over what His hands formed.

Psalm 95 5 Commentary

Psalm 95:5 presents a foundational theological statement for worship: God is worthy of praise and submission because He is the undisputed Creator and Owner of all things. The specific mention of "the sea" and "the dry land" encompasses the entire terrestrial world, covering both the wild, often chaotic element of water and the stable, habitable element of land. The distinction in verbs—made (asah) for the sea and formed (yatsar) by hands for the dry land—highlights the comprehensive and multi-faceted nature of divine creation. He simply made the vastness of the sea, asserting immediate ownership. For the dry land, however, the text emphasizes a more deliberate, intentional shaping, perhaps hinting at its design as the locus of human life and a space of order within creation.

This verse serves as a potent polemic against any pagan ideology that attributes the creation or control of the sea or land to other gods. It firmly establishes YHWH as the sole, supreme deity, sovereign over all the visible world. The Psalm connects this creative act directly to a call for the created beings to worship their Creator (vv. 1-7a) and to heed His voice, avoiding rebellion (vv. 7b-11). Our duty to worship and obey God stems directly from His absolute, unchallengeable status as the Maker and Owner of everything, including ourselves (v. 6, "He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture").

Practically, this verse reminds us that:

• Every aspect of our physical world, from the deepest oceans to the highest peaks, belongs to God. This should evoke humility, awe, and reverence.
• We are stewards, not owners. Our responsibility is to care for creation as entrusted by Him.
• If God, by His mighty hands, meticulously formed the earth for our dwelling, He also cares deeply for us, who are made in His image.