This document provides an overview and summary of key themes in Genesis chapters 1-11, focusing on the themes of creation, de-creation, and re-creation. It notes how Genesis describes an original creation by God that was good, followed by human sin which led to de-creation through judgment like the Flood. However, God brings about re-creation through figures like Noah and later Abraham, reversing the effects of sin and beginning his work of salvation history through the patriarchs and the covenants. The document uses comparisons to the original creation account to show how episodes in Genesis echo creation motifs as a way to depict re-creation or restoration following periods of de-creation from sin.

1. Genesis:Genesis:
Creation & CovenantCreation & Covenant
in the Flow ofin the Flow of
the Old Testament Storythe Old Testament Story
Dr. Kelvin Friebel
Frontline Community Church
Nov 6th
, 2010

2. “I believe in God the Father, the Maker of heaven and earth . . .”
“In the beginning, God created
the heavens and the earth . . .”

3. Patriarchal History
(chs. 12 - 50)
Primeval History
(chs. 1 - 11)

4. Theme of Genesis chs. 1 - 11
Creation De-creation Re-creation
(a) Sin (b) Judgment
Primeval History
(chs. 1 - 11)

5. Creation World Creation (ch. 1)
Human Creation (ch. 2)

6. Creation
De-creation
(a) Sin
World Creation (ch. 1)
Human Creation (ch. 2)
Adam & Eve’s Sin (ch. 3)
Cain kills Abel (ch. 4)
6:5-6, 11-12

7. Creation
De-creation
(a) Sin
World Creation (ch. 1)
Human Creation (ch. 2)
Adam & Eve’s Sin (ch. 3)
Cain kills Abel (ch. 4)
6:5-6, 11-12
6:5 The LORD saw that the wickedness of humankind was great
in the earth,
and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts
was only evil continually. (NRSV)
1:4, 9, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25 And God saw that it was good
1:31 And God saw that it was very good
The ONLY Previous Places where God “sees”
6:11 Now the earth was corrupt in God’s sight,
and the earth was filled with violence.
12 And God saw that the earth was corrupt;
for all flesh had corrupted its ways upon the earth. (NRSV)

8. Creation
De-creation
(a) Sin
De-creation
(b) Judgment
World Creation (ch. 1)
Human Creation (ch. 2)
Flood (chs. 6-7)
Adam & Eve’s Sin (ch. 3)
Cain kills Abel (ch. 4)
6:5-6, 11-12

9. Flood Narrative (Gen chs. 6-9)
& Creation Narrative (Gen ch. 1)
Literary Links:
 6:20; 7:14: “according to their kind” → 1:21, 24, 25
 7 days significance (7:4, 10; 8:10, 12) → 7 day Framework
 6:21: food → 1:29-30

10. Flood Narrative (Gen chs. 6-9)
& Creation Narrative (Gen ch. 1)
De-creation
7:11 windows of heaven opened Obliteration of separation of
waters above & waters below
(Day 2 - - 1:6-7)
7:19-20 dry land is covered Obliteration of separation of
water & dry land
(Day 3 - - 1:9-10)
7:21-23 all living creatures die Pre-Day 6 situation with
No animals or humans
Undoing Creation

11. Creation
De-creation
(a) Sin
De-creation
(b) Judgment
World Creation (ch. 1)
Human Creation (ch. 2)
Flood (chs. 6-7)
Re-Creation
Adam & Eve’s Sin (ch. 3)
Cain kills Abel (ch. 4)
Receding of Flood (chs. 8-9)
6:5-6, 11-12

12. Re-Creation
8:1: wind (rûaḥ) blowing over earth Pre-creation: Spirit (rûaḥ)
hovering over deep (1:2)
8:2: division of waters Day 2: Separation of waters
above & waters below (1:6-7)
8:5-13: appearance of
dry land
Day 3: Separation of waters &
dry land (1:9-10)
8:11: growth of trees Day 3: Vegetation created (1:11-12)
8:17, 19: repopulating with birds
& land animals
Day 5: Birds created (1:20-21)
Day 6: Land Animals created (1:24-25)
8:17: animals could
“multiply, be fruitful, & increase”
Day 6: Blessing of animals (1:22)
“be fruitful & increase”
8:15, 18: repopulation with humans Day 6: Humans created (1:26-27)
8:22: re-establishing of seasons Day 4: (1:14)
9:1-7: blessing of humans
& giving of food
Day 6: blessing
& provision of food (1:28-30)
Redoing of Creation

13. Noah as a “New Adam”
 animals brought to him
Noah’s bringing the animals into the ark (6:19-21; 7:2-3, 8-9, 13-16)
≈ God bringing animals to Adam (2:19-20)
Comparisons:
 progenitors of the human race
9:19 . . .. And from these the whole earth was peopled.
≈v3: 20 The man named his wife Eve,
because she was the mother of all living.
 tiller of the ground
9:20 Noah, a man of the soil, was the first to plant a vineyard.
≈v2:15 The LORD God took the man
and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.
 reiteration of the blessing
9:1-7 // 1:26-30

14. Genesis 1:26-30 Genesis 9:1-7
26 And God said,
"Let us make humans in our image,
according to our likeness;
and let them rule over the fish of the sea,
and over the birds of the sky,
and over the cattle,
and over all the earth,
and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
27 And God created the human in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
28 And God blessed them; and God said to them,
"Be fruitful and increase, and fill the earth, and subdue it;
and rule over the fish of the sea,
and over the birds of the sky,
and over every living (beast) that creeps on the earth."
29 And God said,
"Behold, I have given you every plant seeding seed
that is on the surface of all the earth,
and every tree which has in it the of the tree seeding seed;
for you, it shall be food;
30 and to every beast of the earth,
and to every bird of the skies,
and to every creeping thing on the earth
which was a living creature,
every green plant for food".
1 And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them,
"Be fruitful and increase, and fill the earth.
2 And the fear of you and the terror of you shall be
on every beast of the earth,
and on every bird of the skies,
on everything that creeps on the ground,
and on every fish of the sea;
into your hand they are given.
3 Every creeping thing that is alive shall be food for you;
as (I gave) the green plant, I give everything to you.
4 Surely you shall not eat flesh with its life, (that is,) its blood.
5 And surely I will require your blood for your lives;
from the hand of every living thing I will require it.
And from the hand of humans,
from the hand of each person's brother,
I will require the life of humans.
6 The one who sheds the blood of humans,
by humans their blood shall be shed.
For in the image of God he made humans.
7 And as for you, be fruitful and increase;
Swarm in the earth and increase in it."

15.  Noah’s obedience vs. Adam’s disobedience
6:22 Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.
7:5 And Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him.
7:9 . . . As God had commanded Noah.
7:16 . . . As God had commanded him.
 reversing of the curse:
5:29 he named him Noah, saying,
“Out of the ground that the LORD has cursed
this one shall bring us relief from our work
and from the toil of our hands.”
8:21 And when the LORD smelled the pleasing odor,
the LORD said in his heart,
“I will never again curse the ground because of humankind . . .”
Noah as a “New Adam”
Re-Creation Reversals:

16. Creation
De-creation
(a) Sin
De-creation
(b) Judgment
World Creation (ch. 1)
Human Creation (ch. 2)
Flood (chs. 6-7)
Re-Creation
Adam & Eve’s Sin (ch. 3)
Cain kills Abel (ch. 4)
De-creation
(a) Sin
Ham’s Sin
Babel (ch. 11)
Receding of Flood (chs. 8-9)
6:5-6, 11-12

17. Creation
De-creation
(a) Sin
De-creation
(b) Judgment
World Creation (ch. 1)
Human Creation (ch. 2)
Flood (chs. 6-7)
Re-Creation
Adam & Eve’s Sin (ch. 3)
Cain kills Abel (ch. 4)
De-creation
(a) Sin
Ham’s Sin
Babel (ch. 11)
De-creation
(b) Judgment Dispersion
Receding of Flood (chs. 8-9)
6:5-6, 11-12

18. Theme of Genesis chs. 1 - 11
Creation De-creation Re-creation
(a) Sin (b) Judgment
Patriarchal History (11:27 – 50:26)

19. Creation
De-creation
(a) Sin
De-creation
(b) Judgment
World Creation (ch. 1)
Human Creation (ch. 2)
Flood (chs. 6-7)
Re-Creation
Adam & Eve’s Sin (ch. 3)
Cain kills Abel (ch. 4)
De-creation
(a) Sin
Babel (ch. 11)
De-creation
(b) Judgment Dispersion
Receding of Flood (chs. 8-9)
Re-Creation Covenant with Abraham
(chs. 12ff.)
Ham’s Sin (ch. 9:20-27)
6:5-6, 11-12

20. Patriarchal Narratives &
“Re-Creation”
1) Abraham Narrative:
 Abraham will bring “blessing”
Gen 12:2-3:
“I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you,
and make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and the one who curses you I will curse;
and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
vs. De-Creation of
Sin resulting in “curse”

21. Patriarchal Narratives &
“Re-Creation”
2) Jacob - Esau Narrative
(a) Narrative begins with “family conflict”,
but ends with “reconciliation”
(b) There is a transformation in Jacob’s
character from a “schemer / deceiver”
vs. De-Creation of
Cain & Abel story
vs. De-Creation of
Humans not changing (e.g. Cain),
becoming more sinful (Gen 6:5-6, 11-12)

22. 3) Joseph Narrative (Gen chs. 37-50)
A) Joseph Fulfills Creation Mandate (Gen ch. 1):
(1) Joseph as Administrator / Manager of Resources
Gen 1: 26: “let them rule over . . . all the earth”
B) Joseph Reverses “The Fall” (Genesis chs. 3-4):
(3) Joseph Not Succumbing to Temptation
(4) Joseph & Family Reconciliation
(2) Multiplying Descendants (47:27)
Gen 1: 28: “Be fruitful and increase in number.”
(5) Transformation of “evil” to “good” (50:20)
vs. De-Creation of
Cain & Abel story (Gen ch. 4)
vs. De-Creation of
Adam & Eve story (Gen ch. 3)

23. 1:4: And God saw that the light was good;
1:10: And God saw that it was good.
1:12: And God saw that it was good.
1:18: And God saw that it was good.
1:21: And God saw that it was good.
1:25: And God saw that it was good.
1:31: God saw everything that he had made, and indeed,
it was very good.

24. 1:4: And God saw that the light was good;
1:10: And God saw that it was good.
1:12: And God saw that it was good.
1:18: And God saw that it was good.
1:21: And God saw that it was good.
1:25: And God saw that it was good.
1:31: God saw everything that he had made, and indeed,
it was very good.
Genesis 3: Conflict between good and evil

25. 1:4: And God saw that the light was good;
1:10: And God saw that it was good.
1:12: And God saw that it was good.
1:18: And God saw that it was good.
1:21: And God saw that it was good.
1:25: And God saw that it was good.
1:31: God saw everything that he had made, and indeed,
it was very good.
50:20: You intended to harm (literally “do evil to”) me,
but God intended it for good
to accomplish what is now being done,
the saving of many lives.”
Genesis 3: Conflict between good and evil

26. Creation
De-creation
(a) Sin
De-creation
(b) Judgment
World Creation (ch. 1)
Human Creation (ch. 2)
Flood (chs. 6-7)
Re-Creation
Adam & Eve’s Sin (ch. 3)
Cain kills Abel (ch. 4)
De-creation
(a) Sin
Babel (ch. 11)
De-creation
(b) Judgment
Dispersion
Receding of Flood (chs. 8-9)
Ham’s Sin (ch. 9:20-27)
6:5-6, 11-12
In the midst of on-going De-Creation,
God works to bring about Re-Creation by
choosing a single family through whom
Salvation History will occur
Re-Creation Covenant with
Abram (ch. 12)

27. God:
Creator
Perfect Creation (Gen 1-2)
Sin (Gen 3)
CreationundertheCurse The Covenants with Abraham &
at Mt. Sinai (& New Covenant in
Jesus) are a Response to Sin’s
Disruption of Creation
God:
Covenant
Overlord
SalvationHistory
CovenantPeople
Covenants are the means
through which God is
doing His Re-Creation in
the world

28. God:
Creator
Perfect Creation (Gen 1-2)
Sin (Gen 3)
CreationundertheCurse
Restored Creation
The Goal of God’s Redemptive Work
is a Restored Creation as in Gen 1 &
2, but with modifications
The Covenants with Abraham &
at Mt. Sinai (& New Covenant in
Jesus) are a Response to Sin’s
Disruption of Creation
God:
Covenant
Overlord
SalvationHistory
CovenantPeople
Covenants are the means
through which God is
doing His Re-Creation in
the world

29. c. 2000 B.C.
Abraham
c. 1450 B.C.
Mt. Sinai
Abrahamic
Covenant
Sinai (Deuteronomic)
Covenant
Covenants (of Redemption History = God’s Work of Re-Creation)
Gen 12 – Exod 18 Exod 19 -- Malachi

30. Theme of the Pentateuch
Promise to the
Patriarchs
Genesis 12:1-3; ch. 15; ch. 17
1) Posterity / Descendants
3) Land
a) Covenant God:
“I will be your God”
b) Divine Presence:
“I will be with you”
2) Divine – Human Relationship
God’s Promise to “Bless” Abraham with:

31. chs. 12-50 = 1) Posterity / Descendants
Theme of the Pentateuch
3-Part Promise to the
Patriarchs

32. chs. 12-50 = 1) Posterity / Descendants
= 2) Divine - Human Relationship
(Mt. Sinai Covenant &
Tabernacle)
Theme of the Pentateuch
3-Part Promise to the
Patriarchs
“I will be your God, and you will be my people”

33. chs. 12-50 = 1) Posterity / Descendants
= 2) Divine - Human Relationship
(Mt. Sinai Covenant &
Tabernacle)
Theme of the Pentateuch
3-Part Promise to the
Patriarchs
= 2) Divine - Human Relationship
(Covenant Worship)
“I will be with you”

34. chs. 12-50 = 1) Posterity / Descendants
= 2) Divine - Human Relationship
(Mt. Sinai Covenant &
Tabernacle)
Theme of the Pentateuch
3-Part Promise to the
Patriarchs
= 2) Divine - Human Relationship
(Covenant Worship)
= 3) Land
(journey to the Land)

35. chs. 12-50 = 1) Posterity / Descendants
= 2) Divine - Human Relationship
(Mt. Sinai Covenant &
Tabernacle)
Theme of the Pentateuch
3-Part Promise to the
Patriarchs
= 2) Divine - Human Relationship
(Covenant Worship)
= 2) Divine - Human Relationship
(Renewing the Covenant)
= 3) Land
(journey to the Land)

36. c. 2000 B.C.
Abraham
c. 1450 B.C.
Mt. Sinai
Abrahamic
Covenant
Sinai (Deuteronomic)
Covenant
Covenants (of Redemption History = God’s Work of Re-Creation)
Gen 12 – Exod 18 Exod 19 -- Malachi

37. c. 2000 B.C.
Abraham
c. 1450 B.C.
Mt. Sinai
c. 1000 B.C.
David
Abrahamic
Covenant
Sinai (Deuteronomic)
Covenant
Davidic Covenant
Covenants (of Redemption History = God’s Work of Re-Creation)
Gen 12 – Exod 18 Exod 19 -- Malachi

38. c. 2000 B.C.
Abraham
c. 1450 B.C.
Mt. Sinai
c. 1000 B.C.
David
Abrahamic
Covenant
Sinai (Deuteronomic)
Covenant
Davidic Covenant
Covenants (of Redemption History)
Gen 12 – Exod 18 Exod 19 -- Malachi New Testament
In Prophetic Literature:
Anticipation of
“New Covenant”
Hosea chs. 1-2
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Jeremiah 32:40
Jeremiah 50:4-5
Ezekiel 16:60 63‑
Ezekiel 34:25-27.
Ezekiel 37:23, 26-27

39. c. 2000 B.C.
Abraham
c. 1450 B.C.
Mt. Sinai
c. 1000 B.C.
David
B.C. / A.D.
Jesus
Abrahamic
Covenant
Sinai (Deuteronomic)
Covenant
Davidic Covenant
New Covenant
Covenants (of Redemption History)
Gen 12 – Exod 18 Exod 19 -- Malachi New Testament

40. Genesis chs. 1-11
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Historical Books:
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 & 2 Samuel
1 & 2 Kings
1& 2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Books of the Prophets:
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
12 Minor Prophets
Psalms
Lamentations
Wisdom Literature:
Job
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs
Creation Psalms
(8 19:1-6, 33, 104, 139, 148)
Creation Themes in Prophets
2 Underlying Theological “Streams” in the Old Testament
Creation Theology Covenant Theology
Genesis chs. 12-50
Daniel

41. Creation Theology
(Genesis chs. 1-2)
Covenant Theology
(Sinai Covenant; Deuteronomy)
God
God as
Creator
► Creator 
Creation Relationship
God as
Covenant
Overlord► Master / Suzerain 
Servant / Vassal Relationship

42. God’s Revelation of Himself
Natural
Revelation
►God is known through
non-speaking Creation
Special /
Propositional
Revelation
►God communicates
directly with humans
through speech and other
communication forms
Creation Theology
(Genesis chs. 1-2)
Covenant Theology
(Sinai Covenant; Deuteronomy)

43. Ethical Behavior
Moral Order is
Part of Creation
Morals are
delineated in the
Covenant
Natural Law: All
Humans are held
Accountable
Covenant Law:
Only Covenant
Members are held
Accountable
Creation Theology
(Genesis chs. 1-2)
Covenant Theology
(Sinai Covenant; Deuteronomy)

44. Humans
International
Intercultural
► All Humans are “brothers &
sisters” made in the “image of
God”
►Focus in on Worldwide
Community
► God deals with All Peoples
►God Sovereignly Controls All
Nations
Chosen People
Israelite Specific
Ethno-Centric
► Are “brothers & sisters” as part
of the Covenant Community
► Focus is on the Covenant
Community
► God has a Special
Relationship with His Chosen
People
► God’s Redemptive Work
occurs through the Covenant
Community
Creation Theology
(Genesis chs. 1-2)
Covenant Theology
(Sinai Covenant; Deuteronomy)

45. Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Historical Books:
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 & 2 Samuel
1 & 2 Kings
1& 2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Books of the Prophets:
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
12 Minor Prophets
Psalms
Lamentations
Covenant Theology
Genesis chs. 12-50
Daniel

46. Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Historical Books:
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 & 2 Samuel
1 & 2 Kings
1& 2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Books of the Prophets:
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
12 Minor Prophets
Psalms
Lamentations
Covenant Theology
Genesis chs. 12-50
Daniel
What happens
in Israel’s
history is
understood
through the
lens of the
Covenant
Theology of
Deuteronomy
Deuteronomistic
History

47. Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Historical Books:
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 & 2 Samuel
1 & 2 Kings
1& 2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Books of the Prophets:
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
12 Minor Prophets
Psalms
Lamentations
Covenant Theology
Genesis chs. 12-50
Daniel
Prophets
indicted the
people for
covenant
violations and
called the
people to return
to covenant
loyalty
4) Prophecies of restoration:
Correspond to the covenant declarations
of restoration & blessing (Deut 30:1-10)
4 Major Prophetic Literary Types:
3) Calls to Repentance
Correspond to the Covenant Call to Return
when the Covenant has been violated
(Deut 30:2-3, 6)
2) Predicted judgments:
Correspond to the covenant curses
(Lev 26; Deut 28) for disobedience
1) Prophetic indictments for sin:
People are being held accountable
to the covenant obligations

48. Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Historical Books:
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 & 2 Samuel
1 & 2 Kings
1& 2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Books of the Prophets:
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
12 Minor Prophets
Psalms
Lamentations
Covenant Theology
Genesis chs. 12-50
Daniel

49. God:
Creator
Perfect Creation (Gen 1-2)
Sin (Gen 3)
CreationundertheCurse
Restored Creation
The Goal of God’s Redemptive Work
is a Restored Creation as in Gen 1 &
2, but with modifications
Covenant Theology is basis
upon which God works with His
“covenant” people
God:
Covenant
Overlord
SalvationHistory
CovenantPeople
Creation
Theology
is basis
upon
which God
works with
non-
covenant
people

50. Genesis chs. 1-11
Wisdom Literature:
Job
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs
Creation Psalms
(8 19:1-6, 33, 104m 139m 148)
Creation Themes in Prophets
Creation Theology

51. Genesis chs. 1-11
Wisdom Literature:
Job
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs
Creation Psalms
(8 19:1-6, 33, 104m 139m 148)
Creation Themes in Prophets
Creation Theology

52. Creation Theology & Wisdom
Literature
(Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of
Songs)
► God created the World using Wisdom
Proverbs 3:19-20
Proverbs 8:22-31
Job 28:23-27

53. God has made inherent within Creation
a natural order
that involves not just physical laws of
science, but
morals & ethics,
and practical living (common sense)
Assumption of “Creation” Theology:Assumption of “Creation” Theology:
Creation Theology & Wisdom
Literature
(Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of
Songs)

54. “Wisdom” is:
(1) discerning that creation order
and (2) living in harmony with that order,
in relationship to God (“fear God”),
in relationship with other human beings,
and in relationship to the rest of creation.
Creation Theology & Wisdom
Literature
(Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of
Songs)

55. is Humble Recognition
of our Limitations
as Humans
in both (a) Understanding Creation
Ecclesiastes 2:18-19; 3:11, 21; 6:12; 7:14b; 23-24; 8:6-7, 16-17;
9:1, 11-12; 10:14b; 11:5-6
(b) Being Able to Control Creation
► the Appropriate Response to
God as Creator
Creation Theology &
Wisdom Literature (Job,
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of
Songs)

56. Genesis chs. 1-11
Wisdom Literature:
Job
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs
Creation Psalms
(8 19:1-6, 33, 104m 139m 148)
Creation Themes in Prophets
Creation Theology

57. Arguments related to God as Creator:Arguments related to God as Creator:
Creation Theology in Prophetic
Literature
► As Creator, it means Yahweh is the Lord of
Creation, and therefore
a) Is Sovereign over ALL Nations
b) Controls all of Human History
Isaiah 40:12-31
Isaiah 44:24-28
Isaiah 45:1-8 (vv. 7 & 8, “create”, ‫ברא‬(,11-13
Isaiah 48:12-16
Isaiah 51:12-13
Jeremiah 32:17
Zechariah 12:1-3

58. Genesis chs. 1-11
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Historical Books:
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 & 2 Samuel
1 & 2 Kings
1& 2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Books of the Prophets:
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Ezekiel
12 Minor Prophets
Psalms
Lamentations
Wisdom Literature:
Job
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Songs
Creation Psalms
(8 19:1-6, 33, 104, 139, 148)
Creation Themes in Prophets
2 Underlying Theological “Streams” in the Old Testament
Creation Theology Deuteronomic Covenant Theology
Genesis chs. 12-50
Daniel

59. Creation Psalms
Psalms 8
19:1-6
33
104
139
148

60. (a) As Creator, God is Present throughout all of Creation
Ps 139:5, 7-12
► God’s Working in the World:
Creation Theology in the “Creation Psalms”

61. Psalm 139 (NRSV)
7
Where can I go
from your Spirit?
Or where
can I flee
from your
presence?

62. 8
If I ascend to heaven,
you are
there;

63. If I make
my bed
in the Depths,
you are

64. 9
If I take
the wings
of the
and settle at
the farthest
limits of the
sea,

65. 10
even there
your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall
hold me fast.

66. “Surely the darkness
shall cover me
and the light around me
become night.”
11
If I say,

67. 12
even the
darkness is
not dark
to you;
the night is
as bright
as the day,

68. for darkness
is as light
to you.

69. (a) As Creator, God is Present throughout all of Creation
Ps 139:5, 7-12
► God’s Working in the World:
(b) As Creator, God has On-going Awareness
of all that Happens in Creation
Pss 33:13-19; 139:1-4, 15-16a, 23-24
Creation Theology in the “Creation Psalms”

70. Psalm 33Psalm 33 (NRSV)(NRSV)
13 The L13 The LORDORD looks down from heaven;looks down from heaven;
he sees all humankind.he sees all humankind.
14 From where he sits enthroned he watches14 From where he sits enthroned he watches
all the inhabitants of the earth —all the inhabitants of the earth —
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all,15 he who fashions the hearts of them all,
and observes all their deeds.and observes all their deeds.
16 A king is not saved by his great army;16 A king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a vain hope for victory,17 The war horse is a vain hope for victory,
and by its great might it cannot save.and by its great might it cannot save.
18 Truly the eye of the L18 Truly the eye of the LORDORD
is on those who fear him,is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,on those who hope in his steadfast love,
1919 to deliver their soul from death,to deliver their soul from death,
and to keep them alive in famine.and to keep them alive in famine.

71. (a) As Creator, God is Present throughout all of Creation
Ps 139:5, 7-12
► God’s Working in the World:
(b) As Creator, God has On-going Awareness
of all that Happens in Creation
Pss 33:13-19; 139:1-4, 15-16a, 23-24
(c) As Creator, God exercises On-going Control
of Creation (even Humans)
Ps 33:10-12
Creation Theology in the “Creation Psalms”

72. Psalm 33 (NRSV)
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations
to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
12 Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.

73. (a) As Creator, God is Present throughout all of Creation
Ps 139:5, 7-12
► God’s Working in the World:
(b) As Creator, God has On-going Awareness
of all that Happens in Creation
Pss 33:13-19; 139:1-4, 15-16a, 23-24
(e) As Creator, God continues his Creative Activity
Ps 139:13
(c) As Creator, God exercises On-going Control
of Creation (even Humans)
Ps 33:10-12
(d) As Creator, God executes Judgment in Creation
Pss 104:31-35; 139:19-20
Creation Theology in the “Creation Psalms”

74. 13
For it was you who
formed my inward parts;
you knit me
together in my
mother’s
womb.

75. (a) As Creator, God is Present throughout all of Creation
Ps 139:5, 7-12
► God’s Working in the World:
(b) As Creator, God has On-going Awareness
of all that Happens in Creation
Pss 33:13-19; 139:1-4, 15-16a, 23-24
(e) As Creator, God continues his Creative Activity
Ps 139:13
(c) As Creator, God exercises On-going Control
of Creation (even Humans)
Ps 33:10-12
(d) As Creator, God executes Judgment in Creation
Pss 104:31-35; 139:19-20
(f) As Creator, God is the On-going Sustainer of Creation
Ps 104:10-23, 27-30
Creation Theology in the “Creation Psalms”

76. 1a
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Psalm 104 (NIV)

77. 1b
O LORD my God,
you are very great;
you are clothed
with splendor and majesty.

78. 2
He wraps himself in light
as with a garment;
he stretches out the heavens
like a tent

79. 3a
and lays the beams of his upper
chambers on their waters.

80. 3b
He makes the clouds his chariot
and rides on the wings of the wind.

81. 4
He makes winds his messengers,
flames of fire his servants.

82. 5
He set
the earth
on its
foundations;
it can never
be moved.

83. 10a
He makes
springs
pour water
into
the ravines;

84. 10b
it flows
between
the
mountains.

85. 11a
They give
water
to
all the
beasts of
the field;

86. 11b
the wild
donkeys
quench
their thirst.

87. The birds of the air
nest by the waters;

88. 12b
they sing among the branches.

89. 13a
He waters the mountains from
his upper chambers;

90. 13b
the earth is satisfied
by the fruit of his work.

91. 14a
He makes grass grow
for the cattle,

92. 14b
and plants for humans
to cultivate –
bringing forth food
from the earth:

93. 15
wine
that gladdens
the heart of
humans,
oil to make
their faces
shine,
and bread
that sustains
their hearts.

94. 1616The trees of the LThe trees of the LORDORD are well wateredare well watered,,
the cedars of Lebanon that he plantedthe cedars of Lebanon that he planted..

95. 17
There the birds
make their nests;
the stork has its
home in the pine
trees.

96. 18 The high mountains18 The high mountains
belong to the wild goats;belong to the wild goats;
the crags are a refugethe crags are a refuge
for the coneys.for the coneys.

97. 19
The moon marks off the seasons,
and the sun knows when to go down.

98. 20
You bring darkness, it becomes night,
and all the beasts of the forest prowl.

99. 21
The lions roar for their prey
and seek their food from
God.

100. 22
The sun rises, and they steal away;
they return and lie
down in their dens.

101. 23
Then
humans
go out
to their
work,
to their
labor
until evening.

102. 24
How many are your works,
O LORD!
In wisdom
you made them all;
the earth is full
of your creatures.

103. 25
There is the sea, vast and spacious,
teeming with creatures beyond
number-- living things both large
and small.

104. 27
These all look to you
to give them their food at the proper time.

105. 28
When you give it to them,
they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.

106. when you take away their breath,
they die and return to the
dust.
29
When you hide your face,
they are terrified;

107. 30
When you send your Spirit,
they are created,
and you renew
the face of the earth.

108. 31 May the glory of the LORD endure
forever;
may the LORD rejoice in his
works --

109. 33
I will sing to the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God
as long as I live.
34
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the LORD.

110. 35b
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
Praise the LORD.

111. (a) As Creator, God is Present throughout all of Creation
Ps 139:5, 7-12
► God’s Working in the World:
(b) As Creator, God has On-going Awareness
of all that Happens in Creation
Pss 33:13-19; 139:1-4, 15-16a, 23-24
(e) As Creator, God continues his Creative Activity
Ps 139:13
(c) As Creator, God exercises On-going Control
of Creation (even Humans)
Ps 33:10-12
(d) As Creator, God executes Judgment in Creation
Pss 104:31-35; 139:19-20
(f) As Creator, God is the On-going Sustainer of Creation
Ps 104:10-23, 27-30
Creation Theology in the “Creation Psalms”

112. Psalm 8:1, 9Psalm 8:1, 9
Psalm 33:1-3, 8Psalm 33:1-3, 8
Psalm 104:1, 31-34Psalm 104:1, 31-34
Psalm 148Psalm 148
► Appropriate Response to
God as Creator is
“Praise”
Creation Theology in the “Creation Psalms”