Canada Day commemorates the unification of several British North American colonies into the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. The article explores the biblical inspiration behind the name “Dominion,” which was reportedly suggested by Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley after reading Psalm 72:8: “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea.”
This verse points beyond the earthly boundaries of a nation toward the greater dominion of Messiah, the King whose reign is marked by righteousness, peace, and compassion. Psalm 72 describes a ruler who delivers the needy, cares for the poor, and brings blessing to all nations. Its imagery of dominion “from sea to sea” echoes the hope of a Kingdom that extends to the ends of the earth.
Canada’s national motto is ‘A Mari Usque Ad Mare’—“From Sea to Sea”—and the motto added to the Order of Canada, Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam—“They desire a better country.” These phrases provide a devotional connection to Hebrews 11, where the faithful look beyond earthly homelands toward a heavenly country and the city God has prepared.
The historical and national symbols become reminders that earthly kingdoms are temporary. While nations have their own histories, borders, and forms of government, Scripture directs believers to the coming Kingdom of God, where Messiah reigns in righteousness and peace. His dominion will bring justice to the oppressed, deliverance to the needy, and blessing to all peoples.
Messiah’s coming Kingdom is likened to rain that refreshes the earth. As the former and latter rains bring life and fruitfulness, the King’s coming will bring restoration and peace. Believers are called to look beyond national identity and earthly power toward the eternal reign of Jesus Christ.
Canada Day remembers the unification of the colonies of the United Canadas, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick into a single dominion within the British Empire on July 1st, 1867. Originally the holiday was known as Dominion Day but was changed to Canada Day after the Canada Act of 1982 when Canada became a fully independent country.
Dominion Day
Dominion Day was named based upon Psalm 72:8. Originally, the new union of colonies were going to be called the Kingdom of Canada but it was rejected due to Canadians not wanting to offend the United States after the Civil War. Britain supported the Confederacy during the Civil War and Canada did not want to use the Kingdom term which was thought might cause a provocation.
Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley suggested “Dominion of Canada” as he had read Psalm 72:8 during his daily morning Bible reading. He reportedly said something to the effect of: “What a splendid name to give Canada — the word ‘Dominion’ of Canada.” The new united country was to be under God, and moreover before long it was to stretch literally from sea to sea, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, so that it would be appropriate for it to be called “the dominion of Canada.” His suggested was agreed upon with the support of the British Prime Minister and Queen Victory. Canada officially became the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867, via the British North America Act.
Psalm 72 refers to Christ Jesus
Psa 72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
Psa 72:1 A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.
Psa 72:2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
Psa 72:3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
Psa 72:4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
Psa 72:5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
Psa 72:6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
Psa 72:7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
Psa 72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
Psa 72:9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
Psa 72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Psa 72:11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
Psa 72:12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
Psa 72:13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
Psa 72:14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
Psa 72:15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
Psa 72:16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
Psa 72:17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
Psa 72:18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
Psa 72:19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
Psa 72:20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Jewish belief applies this text to the Messiah
John Gill commentary on Psalm 72:8
and from the river unto the ends of the earth; which, as Kimchi owns, is clear, if applied to the Messiah, since his government shall be over all the world. The note of Aben Ezra on the text is worthy of regard.
“If this is said concerning Solomon, the meaning is, from the Red sea to the sea of the Philistines; and from the river, this is Euphrates; and the ends of the earth mean the wilderness; (see Exo_23:31); and, lo, mention is made of the length and breadth of the land of Israel: and if of the Messiah, the sense is, from the south sea, which is called the Idumean sea, to the northern sea, which is the sea of the ocean; and from the river, the river that goes out of Eden at the beginning of the east, unto the ends of the earth, which is at the end of the west;”
Bamidbar Rabbah 13:14
The messianic king, from where is it derived? It is, as it is written: “He will rule from sea to sea, from the river to the ends of the land” (Psalms 72:8). Over the land, from where is it derived? It is as it is written: “And all the kings, all the nations will bow to him, will serve him” (Psalms 72:11). And it says: “And behold, among the clouds of the heavens…. To him was given dominion, [honor, and kingship, and all the peoples, nations, and languages would serve him]” (Daniel 7:13–14). “The stone that struck the image became a great mountain, and filled the entire earth” (Daniel 2:35).
Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer 11:19
The ninth king is King || Messiah, who, in the future, will rule from one end of the world to the other, as it is said, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea” (Ps. 72:8); and another Scripture text says, “And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth” (Dan. 2:35).
Psa 2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
Zec 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Zec 9:10 And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
1Pe 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Coat of Arms
On the coat of arms of Canada is the phrase ‘A mari usque ad mare’ which is Latin from “sea to sea” referring to Psalm 72:8
Since 1994 the motto Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam (“They desire a better country”) was added. This points to heavenly Zion.
Heb 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
We wait for the kingdom and the King to come
Heb 2:5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
Heb 2:6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Heb 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
Heb 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
Heb 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
The Messiah and His coming is likened unto rain:
Psa 72:6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
Hos 6:3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
Related studies:
Daily Tidbits 5/19 – Victoria Day
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