But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.
Parallel translations
- WEB But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he pleases.
- BSB Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.
- NKJV But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.
- NASB But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.
- NLT Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Unlike absent idols, the true God reigns in heaven and does whatever he pleases. It matters because God's sovereignty is the firm answer to the world's scoffing.
Overview
The reply to the nations is God's transcendence and freedom: he is enthroned in heaven and accomplishes all his will. This is a foundational confession of divine sovereignty cherished in the Reformed tradition. Far from being distant, this sovereign God draws near in Christ, who came to do the Father's pleasing will perfectly (John 6:38).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Ps 135:6Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
- Dan 4:35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
- Isa 46:10Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
- Eph 1:11In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
- Ps 103:19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
- Rom 9:19Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
- Ps 2:4He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
- Ps 123:1Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens.
- Matt 6:9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
- 1 Chr 16:25For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods.
- Ps 68:4Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 115:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.