In light of differing creation accounts in ancient Near Eastern texts, how do we reconcile Psalm 95:4–5’s claim of sole divine authorship of the earth?

I. Context of Psalm 95:4–5

Psalm 95:4–5 declares: “In His hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. The sea is His, for He made it, and His hands formed the dry land.” These verses emphasize one central principle: the earth—even in its deepest recesses—is fashioned by a single divine Creator. This statement has stirred questions for many, especially when contrasting it with the variety of ancient Near Eastern creation accounts.

Where other texts speak of multiple deities or the universe emerging from cosmic battles, Psalm 95 portrays one Creator with total authority. The text stands as a direct assertion that the God of Scripture alone is responsible for the origins of all that exists: from the mountains we see to the ocean depths we cannot.

II. Ancient Near Eastern Creation Accounts

Outside the biblical text, one finds stories such as the Babylonian Enuma Elish or the Sumerian narrative of gods who wrestle with chaos. The Enuma Elish, for instance, describes a pantheon of gods battling cosmic beings before shaping the world from a defeated deity.

In contrast, biblical teaching presents a single, sovereign God speaking creation into existence. Instead of divine conflict, Scripture describes an ordered process, culminating in humanity’s creation in the image of God (Genesis 1:26–27). This difference underscores two diverging worldviews: divine turmoil in polytheistic systems versus divine unity in the biblical text.

III. Unity of Authorship in Scripture

Throughout Scripture, the theme remains consistent that one God is responsible for creation. From Genesis 1:1 (“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,”) to passages like Psalm 95, the claim remains unaltered: this creation stems from a single, all-powerful God.

The biblical record—when considered in its entirety—presents no division in authorship. Rather, it reinforces the same notion repeatedly: “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). This unity in message, observable in manuscripts as early as the Dead Sea Scrolls, has been noted by experts in textual criticism who affirm the remarkable consistency across centuries of transmission.

IV. Harmonizing with Ancient Accounts

Reconciliation between Psalm 95:4–5 and differing mythic cosmologies hinges on understanding each culture’s worldview. Ancient Near Eastern texts often address who is in charge of nature based on a pantheon’s shifting alliances. The Bible, however, teaches that only one eternal Creator exists. By recognizing that the ancient texts are not always intended to be literal accounts, we can see they reflect cultural imaginations around cosmic origins.

Scripture’s insistence on sole divine authorship is not merely an echo of cultural beliefs but a pointed departure from them. Ancient polytheistic epics typically place humankind as an afterthought or a servant class. In contrast, Genesis 1 demonstrates humanity’s unique dignity under one Creator (Genesis 1:26). Such a radical view distinguishes biblical revelation from human-invented mythologies.

V. Historical and Archaeological Corroboration

Archaeological discoveries have also offered valuable perspective. For instance, tablets recovered from Mesopotamia reveal a variety of conflicting gods and conflicting stories of cosmic origins. In contrast, biblical references to real geographic locations and genealogies that trace humanity’s ancestry from Adam (cf. Genesis 5, 11) provide a sense of historical continuity. Excavations at sites like Jericho or Hazor have corroborated certain biblical details, showing the scriptural accounts are rooted in identifiable times and places.

While archaeology cannot fully “prove” creation’s miraculous nature, it does lend support to the cultural and historical framework where the Bible was written. Numerous findings, such as the discovery of ancient flood accounts that parallel aspects of Genesis, show that the Bible’s portrayal of cataclysmic events was not internally concocted but shaped by historical realities which Scripture uniquely interprets under a single Creator God.

VI. Scientific Perspective on a Young Earth

From a scientific standpoint, some researchers advocate that the observable data in geology and biology are consistent with the design hypothesis. Fossil evidence, the complexity of life forms, and discoveries about genetic information have prompted discussions about an intelligent source behind the intricacies of life. Many who hold to a young earth interpretation highlight the complexity within DNA or geological features such as quick-formed rock layers (e.g., post-volcanic layers at Mount St. Helens) as suggesting that large-scale change can occur rapidly, supporting a model of a recent creation.

Although mainstream scientists may interpret the same evidence through a different framework, the perspective that God created the earth in a comparatively recent timeframe stands on the conviction that Scripture’s timeline is reliable, anchored in genealogies where each generation is meticulously recorded.

VII. Philosophical and Theological Consistency

Philosophically, if there were multiple gods or if creation was the outcome of chaotic forces, humans could not rely on a single, purposeful plan behind existence. Scripture’s unified portrayal of creation, however, offers a stable foundation for understanding meaning, morality, and purpose.

Psalm 95:4–5 thus consolidates the trustworthiness and authority of a single Creator who sustains life. This singular focus ensures no ambiguity in where ultimate worship and allegiance lie. It also affirms that human value and moral accountability derive from one divine Source who knit everything together with intention and care.

VIII. Conclusion

Psalm 95:4–5’s claim of sole divine authorship is not at odds with the existence of other ancient accounts. Rather, it stands in contrast, offering a clearer and more authoritative statement of origins. The biblical narrative asserts that God alone spoke the universe into existence, without need for rivalry or lesser deities.

Archaeological findings and textual criticism demonstrate the historical authenticity and consistent witness of Scripture. Scientific theories of design further bolster the claim that a Creator is behind the fine-tuned complexity we observe. Altogether, these evidences reinforce that the God described in the Bible holds the depths of the earth—and all else—in His hands, forming the foundation for reconciling Psalm 95:4–5 with any competing ancient context.