Psalm 115:15

Psalm 115:15, in plain English

May the Lord, who made everything—heaven and earth—may He bless you with His presence and power.

Why it's here

By invoking God as Creator, the psalmist roots the blessing in God's absolute authority and capability. You're being blessed by the one who made everything.

Who's speaking

The psalmist, continuing the formal blessing over the people

Where it sits in the story

The Creator God giving blessing is the ultimate assurance—He has all resources, all power, all wisdom at His disposal.

The scholarly reading

The blessing's foundation: the one who blesses Israel is Yahweh, Creator of heaven and earth—the God whose cosmic power undergirds all particular mercies.

Language and setting

'Maker of heaven and earth' (Oseh shamayim va-aretz) functions as a titular affirmation of divine omnipotence, appearing in Genesis 1:1, Exodus 20:11, and throughout the Psalter. The invocation of cosmic creation establishes the theological ground for believing in blessing—a God who commands the cosmos can surely sustain a small nation's survival and flourishing.

Voice

The psalmist, grounding the blessing formula in creation theology.

Significance

This creational foundation connects Israel's particular covenant to universal divine sovereignty, a pattern emphasized by Paul in Acts 14:15 and 17:24—the God who made all things can be trusted with particular peoples and nations.

13He will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike.

14May the LORD give you increase, both you and your children.

15May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

16The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth He has given to mankind.

17It is not the dead who praise the LORD, nor any who descend into silence.

Read all of Psalm 115 — Not to us, O Lord, but to Your name give glory. The idols of the nations have mouths but cannot speak. Our God does whatever He pleases.