The phrase "Him who made the great lights" is a reference to God as the Creator of the celestial bodies, specifically the sun, moon, and stars. This expression is rooted in the biblical understanding of God as the sovereign Creator of the universe, who established the heavenly lights to govern the day and the night. The phrase is prominently found in Psalm 136:7-9, which is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise for God's enduring love and mighty acts of creation and deliverance.

Biblical Context

Psalm 136:7-9 states: "He made the great lights—His loving devotion endures forever. The sun to rule the day—His loving devotion endures forever. The moon and stars to govern the night—His loving devotion endures forever." This passage is part of a liturgical hymn that celebrates God's steadfast love and His wondrous works, including the creation of the great lights.

The creation of the sun, moon, and stars is first described in Genesis 1:14-19. On the fourth day of creation, God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth." God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night—and He also made the stars.

Theological Significance

The creation of the great lights underscores God's omnipotence and His role as the ultimate source of order and life. The sun, moon, and stars are not deities, as was commonly believed in ancient Near Eastern cultures, but rather creations of the one true God, who alone is worthy of worship. This understanding is central to the biblical worldview, which rejects idolatry and affirms monotheism.

The great lights also serve a functional purpose, as they are established by God to mark time and seasons, providing a rhythm to life on earth. This reflects God's wisdom and His provision for His creation, ensuring that the natural world operates in harmony and order.

Worship and Praise

The acknowledgment of God as the Creator of the great lights is a recurring theme in biblical worship and praise. In addition to Psalm 136, other psalms and passages highlight God's creative power and the splendor of the heavens. Psalm 19:1 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Similarly, Psalm 8:3-4 reflects on the majesty of God's creation: "When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You set in place—what is man that You are mindful of him, or the son of man that You care for him?"

Implications for Believers

For believers, the recognition of God as the Maker of the great lights is a call to worship and trust in His sovereign power and loving care. It serves as a reminder of His faithfulness and the constancy of His love, as expressed in the refrain of Psalm 136, "His loving devotion endures forever." The creation of the great lights also invites believers to marvel at the beauty and order of the natural world, leading to a deeper appreciation of God's handiwork and a greater sense of stewardship over His creation.