Earth, the

Created and sustained by God, the world is both his possession and the dwelling-place of his creatures. As such, it should bring him glory, and will one day be judged by him.

God created the earth from nothing

Exodus 20:11; Nehemiah 9:6; Acts 14:15 See also Genesis 1:1–2; Exodus 31:17; 2 Kings 19:15; Job 26:7; Psalm 74:17, Psalm 115:15, Psalm 119:90; Isaiah 44:24, Isaiah 45:12, Isaiah 48:13; Jeremiah 10:12, Jeremiah 27:5, Jeremiah 32:17, Jeremiah 33:2; Amos 4:13; John 1:3; Acts 4:24; Hebrews 11:3; 2 Peter 3:5; Revelation 10:6, Revelation 14:7

For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth and the sea and all that is in them, but on the seventh day He rested. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.

“Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.

The earth belongs to God

Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalm 24:1, Psalm 95:4–5 See also Exodus 9:29; Joshua 3:13; 1 Samuel 2:8; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Psalm 47:9, Psalm 89:11; 1 Corinthians 10:26

Behold, to the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, and the earth and everything in it.

A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein.

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.

God controls and sustains the earth

Psalm 135:6–7 See also Genesis 9:16–17; Job 5:10, Job 28:5; Psalm 104:13–14, Psalm 147:8; Jeremiah 10:13, Jeremiah 33:25; Hosea 6:3; Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3

The LORD does all that pleases Him in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and in all their depths. He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

God's character seen on earth

Psalm 33:5 See also Psalm 85:11, Psalm 119:64; Isaiah 6:3, Isaiah 11:9; Jeremiah 9:24

The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His loving devotion.

The earth should resound to God's glory and praise

Psalm 96:1; Isaiah 44:23 See also Psalm 47:2, Psalm 66:4, Psalm 72:9, Psalm 108:5, Psalm 148:7; Isaiah 49:13; Habakkuk 3:3; Revelation 5:13

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O depths of the earth. Break forth in song, O mountains, you forests and all your trees. For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and revealed His glory in Israel.

The earth is the habitation of human beings and the animals

Psalm 115:16 See also Genesis 1:22, Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:28–30, Genesis 8:17, Genesis 9:1; Acts 17:26

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

God judges the earth

1 Chronicles 16:14; Nahum 1:5 See also Genesis 18:25; Deuteronomy 32:22; 1 Samuel 2:10; 2 Samuel 22:16; Job 9:6; Psalm 46:6, Psalm 77:18; Isaiah 2:21, Isaiah 26:9; Jeremiah 10:10

He is the LORD our God; His judgments carry throughout the earth.

The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence— the world and all its dwellers.

God will destroy the earth one day

Psalm 102:25–26; 2 Peter 3:10–12 See also Isaiah 24:1–6, Isaiah 51:6; Jeremiah 4:23–26; Matthew 24:35 parallel Mark 13:31; 2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 20:11

In the beginning You laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them, and they will be passed on.

But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be destroyed by fire and the elements will melt in the heat.

God will create a new earth

2 Peter 3:13 See also Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22; Revelation 21:1

But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.