Psalms 113:2

KJV

Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

KJV (with Strong's)

Blessed {H1288} be the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068} from this time forth {H6258} and for {H5704} evermore {H5769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Blessed be the name of ADONAI from this moment on and forever!

Berean Standard Bible

Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forevermore.

American Standard Version

Blessed be the name of Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 113:2 serves as a profound and timeless declaration of worship, calling all creation to perpetually acknowledge and extol the inherent worth, transcendent majesty, and revealed character of the LORD. It establishes a foundational principle of unending praise, asserting that God's supreme goodness and glory are worthy of adoration not merely in the present moment, but throughout all generations and into the boundless expanse of eternity, thereby setting the reverent tone for a psalm that celebrates God's exalted position and His compassionate condescension towards humanity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 113:2 is an integral and immediate continuation of the opening call to praise in Psalm 113, which itself inaugurates the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113-118). This collection of psalms holds a central place in Jewish liturgical tradition, particularly during major pilgrimage festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These psalms collectively recount God's mighty redemptive acts, most notably the Exodus from Egypt, and celebrate His universal sovereignty and providential care. Verse 2 specifically transitions from the general imperative to "Praise the LORD!" in [Psalms 113:1](/psalms/113-1 "Psalms 113:1 - Praise the LORD!") to a more specific and enduring declaration of blessing upon "the name of the LORD." This precise focus on God's "name" and the specified duration of praise—"from this time forth and for evermore"—establishes a tone of profound reverence and perpetual adoration that undergirds the subsequent verses, which vividly describe God's exalted position above the heavens and His compassionate engagement with the humble and needy.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The recitation and singing of the Hallel psalms were deeply embedded in the communal worship and historical memory of ancient Israel, particularly during the pilgrimage festivals when the nation gathered in Jerusalem. This communal act of worship served as a powerful reminder of God's covenant faithfulness and His ongoing redemptive work. The concept of "the name of the LORD" (YHWH) held immense theological weight in ancient Israelite culture, representing far more than a mere label. It embodied the totality of God's revealed essence, His character, His authority, His presence, and His active engagement in history. To "bless" God's name was not to confer something upon Him, but rather to acknowledge and declare His intrinsic blessedness, His supreme worth, and His rightful place as the ultimate source of all blessings. This practice echoes similar declarations of divine blessedness found throughout the Old Testament, such as in [1 Kings 8:15](/1_kings/8-15 "1 Kings 8:15 - Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel...") and [Psalm 72:19](/psalms/72-19 "Psalm 72:19 - Blessed be his glorious name forever!"). The concluding phrase, "from this time forth and for evermore," would have resonated deeply with the perpetual nature of God's covenant with Israel and the enduring hope of His eternal presence and faithfulness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 113 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it powerfully establishes the theme of **Eternal Praise**, emphasizing that God's inherent worthiness of adoration is not confined by temporal limitations but extends through all generations and into eternity. This commitment to continuous and unending worship is a recurring motif throughout the Psalms, as exemplified in passages like [Psalm 145:1-2](/psalms/145-1-2 "Psalm 145:1-2 - I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever."). Secondly, the verse highlights the profound theme of **Reverence for God's Name**, teaching that to "bless the name of the LORD" is to honor, extol, and declare the glory of all that God is—His revealed character, His attributes, His power, and His sovereign authority as embodied in His covenant name, YHWH. This deep reverence for God's being is foundational to all true worship. Thirdly, while rooted in Israel's specific historical experience, the call to bless the LORD's name "for evermore" subtly introduces the theme of **God's Universal Sovereignty**. It hints at His timeless dominion over all creation, a theme that is more explicitly developed later in Psalm 113 as it speaks of God's glory being "above all nations" and His condescending gaze upon both the heavens and the earth ([Psalms 113:4-6](/psalms/113-4-6 "Psalms 113:4-6 - The LORD is high above all nations... Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blessed (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** Derived from the primitive root H1288 `bârak`, meaning "to kneel," this term, when applied to God, functions as a passive participle (e.g., _bārûḵ_). It signifies that God is inherently worthy of praise, lauded, and adored. It is not that humanity bestows a blessing upon God to make Him more blessed, but rather that we acknowledge and declare His intrinsic blessedness, His supreme goodness, and His rightful position as the ultimate source of all blessings. It is an act of worship that recognizes and proclaims His divine nature and inherent glory.
* **Name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** H8034 `shêm` refers to an appellation, but in Hebrew thought, it is far more than a mere label or identifier. It embodies the full character, reputation, authority, and manifest presence of an individual. Thus, "the name of the LORD" (referring to YHWH, God's covenant name, H3068 `Yᵉhôvâh`) signifies God's complete revealed nature, His actions throughout history, His unchanging attributes, and His very essence. To bless His name is to praise all that He has revealed Himself to be, encompassing His omnipotence, faithfulness, mercy, justice, and love.
* **Evermore (Hebrew, _ʻôwlām'_):** H5769 `ʻôwlām` (often prefixed with H5704 `ʻad`, meaning "until" or "as far as") properly denotes "concealed" or "the vanishing point," and generally refers to "time out of mind" – either past or future. Practically, it signifies eternity, perpetuity, and unending duration. When used in the phrase "for evermore," it extends the concept of praise beyond the immediate present into an infinite future. It profoundly emphasizes that God's worthiness of praise is not contingent on fleeting circumstances or limited by temporal boundaries, but is an eternal reality, demanding continuous and unending adoration from His creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blessed be the name of the LORD":** This opening clause is a declarative statement of profound praise and adoration. It is an acclamation that God's revealed character, essence, and authority (His "name") are inherently and supremely worthy of all honor, glory, and worship. It serves as a recognition of His ultimate sovereignty and goodness, acknowledging Him as the very foundation of all existence and the inexhaustible source of every blessing.
* **"from this time forth":** This clause establishes the immediate and present nature of the call to praise. It signifies that the declaration of God's blessedness is not merely a historical reflection or a future hope, but an imperative for the present moment. It demands an immediate, active, and ongoing response of worship from the worshiper, initiating a continuous stream of adoration.
* **"and for evermore":** This concluding phrase extends the duration of the praise into eternity, emphasizing the unending, timeless, and perpetual nature of God's worthiness of adoration. It implies that the praise of the LORD is not a temporary or circumstantial act, but an eternal commitment, aligning human worship with the unending and ceaseless adoration due to the eternal, unchanging God. It signifies a boundless and everlasting devotion.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 113:2 masterfully employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message of eternal praise. The phrase "from this time forth and for evermore" is a quintessential example of **Merism**, a rhetorical figure where two contrasting or complementary parts are used to represent a complete totality. Here, "this time forth" (the present) and "for evermore" (the future, eternity) together encompass all time, emphasizing the continuous and unending nature of the praise due to God. The use of "the name of the LORD" is a clear instance of **Metonymy**, a figure of speech where a closely associated attribute or concept (the name) stands in for the entire entity (God Himself). By blessing His "name," the psalmist intends to bless God's entire being, His revealed character, His reputation, and His active presence in the world. Furthermore, the verse itself functions as a **Hymn** or a **Call to Praise**, characteristic of many psalms that invite and command the worshiper to engage in adoration. The declarative opening, "Blessed be...", sets a tone of reverent acclamation and solemn declaration, reinforcing the psalm's overarching purpose as a song of worship and exaltation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 113:2 profoundly connects to the core theological understanding of God's unchanging nature and His eternal sovereignty. The call to bless the LORD's name "from this time forth and for evermore" underscores that God's inherent worthiness of praise is not bound by human history, fleeting circumstances, or temporal limitations, but is an eternal reality. This verse invites believers into a perpetual posture of worship, aligning their temporal praise with the timeless adoration due to the Creator. It highlights that true worship involves recognizing God's revealed character (His "name") and responding with continuous reverence, thanksgiving, and joyful acclamation, acknowledging His supreme authority and goodness across all generations and throughout all eternity.

* [Psalm 145:1](/psalms/145-1 "Psalm 145:1 - I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.")
* [1 Chronicles 16:36](/1_chronicles/16-36 "1 Chronicles 16:36 - Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting!")
* [Revelation 4:8](/revelation/4-8 "Revelation 4:8 - Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 113:2 is a profound call to cultivate a lifestyle of continuous adoration, moving beyond episodic or circumstantial praise to embrace a heart that perpetually acknowledges God's majesty and goodness. Understanding that "the name of the LORD" encompasses His entire revealed character—His attributes, His actions, and His very essence—should deepen our reverence and awe, transforming our worship from mere words into a heartfelt recognition of His supreme worth and boundless glory. The phrase "from this time forth and for evermore" invites us to align our earthly worship with the unending praise that echoes throughout eternity, reminding us that God's worthiness is not temporary but everlasting. This verse encourages us to intentionally seek opportunities to bless God's name in every season of life, whether in joy or sorrow, recognizing His unchanging faithfulness, sovereign control, and unfailing love, thereby making our lives a continuous offering of praise.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding that "the name of the LORD" represents God's entire character and essence deepen your personal worship and daily expressions of praise?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a habit of "blessing the name of the LORD" not just in specific moments, but "from this time forth and for evermore" in your daily life and interactions?**
* **How does the eternal nature of God's praise, as expressed in this verse, impact your perspective on suffering, challenging circumstances, or the brevity of human life?**

### FAQ

**Why is "the name of the LORD" so significant in this verse?**

Answer: In Hebrew thought, a "name" is far more than a mere label or identifier; it embodies the full character, reputation, authority, and manifest presence of an individual. Therefore, "the name of the LORD" (referring to YHWH, God's covenant name) signifies God's entire revealed essence—His attributes, His power, His faithfulness, His justice, and His actions in history. To "bless the name of the LORD" is to acknowledge, honor, and extol all that God is, recognizing His inherent goodness, supreme worth, and unchangeable nature, as powerfully conveyed in passages like [Exodus 34:5-7](/exodus/34-5-7 "Exodus 34:5-7 - The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD..."). It is an act of deep reverence for His very being and all that He has revealed about Himself.

**What does "from this time forth and for evermore" imply about the nature of praise?**

Answer: This phrase signifies an unending, timeless, and continuous commitment to worship. "From this time forth" calls for immediate and present praise, emphasizing that adoration should begin now and be ongoing. "And for evermore" extends that praise into eternity, encompassing all generations, all future moments, and all time without end. It implies that God's worthiness of praise is not temporary or contingent on human circumstances, but is an eternal reality that demands a perpetual response. This concept is beautifully echoed in other psalms, such as [Psalm 145:2](/psalms/145-2 "Psalm 145:2 - Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever."), which speaks of daily and eternal praise, encouraging believers to adopt a lifestyle of perpetual adoration for God's unchanging majesty and enduring faithfulness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 113:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect embodiment, complete revelation, and eternal expression of "the name of the LORD." While the Old Testament yearned for a fuller manifestation of God's character, Jesus, as the incarnate Son, perfectly makes the Father known, declaring His name to humanity ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.") and [John 17:6](/john/17-6 "John 17:6 - I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world.")). He is the supremely "blessed" One, through whom all spiritual blessings flow from God to humanity, and through whom all praise and blessing are rightly returned to God. The eternal nature of the praise—"from this time forth and for evermore"—is perfectly realized in Christ, who is proclaimed as "the same yesterday and today and forever" ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.")). It is through His glorious name, which God has highly exalted "above every name," that every knee will one day bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.")). In Him, the eternal praise of God's name is not only commanded but eternally enacted, as the Lamb who was slain is now eternally worshipped in heaven, receiving "power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing" from every creature ([Revelation 5:12-13](/revelation/5-12-13 "Revelation 5:12-13 - Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!'")). Through Christ, believers are empowered to offer a "sacrifice of praise" continually, acknowledging His name and fulfilling the psalmist's ancient call to bless the LORD's name forevermore ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 2:20

Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:

1 Chronicles 16:36

Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel for ever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.

Psalms 41:13

Blessed [be] the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Revelation 5:13

And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

1 Chronicles 29:10

¶ Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed [be] thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

1 Chronicles 29:13

Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

Ephesians 3:21

Unto him [be] glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.