Psalms 113:3

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name [is] to be praised.

From the rising {H4217} of the sun {H8121} unto the going down {H3996} of the same the LORD'S {H3068} name {H8034} is to be praised {H1984}.

From sunrise until sunset ADONAI's name is to be praised.

From where the sun rises to where it sets, the name of the LORD is praised.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same Jehovah’s name is to be praised.

Commentary

Psalm 113:3 is a powerful declaration of God's universal and perpetual worthiness of praise. It is part of the Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals, particularly Passover. This verse sets the stage for the rest of the psalm, which goes on to extol the Lord's greatness and His compassionate condescension towards the humble.

Historical and Cultural Context

The Hallel Psalms were central to Jewish worship, sung at momentous occasions like the New Moon, Hanukkah, and the three pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Weeks, and Tabernacles). Singing these psalms was an act of communal thanksgiving and adoration, recognizing God's historical deliverance and His ongoing sovereignty. The imagery of the sun's journey across the sky speaks to a comprehensive, all-encompassing timeframe, a common poetic device in ancient Near Eastern literature to denote universality.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Universal Praise: The phrase "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same" powerfully conveys a message of universal and continuous praise. It suggests that God's glory and worthiness are not confined by geography or time, but extend across all creation and throughout every moment of the day. This implies that all peoples, everywhere, should acknowledge and celebrate His name.
  • God's Worthiness: The core message is that "the LORD'S name is to be praised." "The LORD'S name" (Hebrew: YHWH or Yahweh) refers to God's revealed character, His attributes, His power, and His covenant faithfulness. It encompasses everything that makes Him uniquely God – His holiness, justice, love, and mercy. He is inherently worthy of all adoration and worship.
  • Continuous Devotion: The verse calls for a lifestyle of perpetual worship. It's not just about set times of prayer, but about a continuous recognition of God's presence and goodness in every aspect of life, from dawn till dusk. This echoes the commitment found in Psalm 34:1, where David declares, "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Linguistic Insights

The word "LORD" (all caps) in the KJV translates the Hebrew tetragrammaton YHWH (Yahweh), God's personal, covenant name. This emphasizes His eternal, self-existent nature and His intimate relationship with His people. The word "praised" comes from the Hebrew root halal, which means to shine, boast, celebrate, or rave about. It is the root of the word "Hallelujah" (Praise Yah!). It implies an enthusiastic, joyful, and public declaration of God's greatness.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 113:3 serves as a profound reminder to cultivate a spirit of continuous praise. It encourages us to:

  • Recognize God's Global Sovereignty: Understand that God is not just the God of one nation or people, but His name is to be glorified across the entire earth. This inspires us to participate in His global mission.
  • Live a Life of Daily Worship: Make praise an integral part of your daily routine, from the moment you wake until you go to sleep. Every sunrise and sunset can be a prompt to acknowledge God's faithfulness and majesty.
  • Reflect on God's Character: Remember that our praise is directed to God's "name" – His character, attributes, and deeds. The more we understand who He is, the more reasons we find to praise Him.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Malachi 1:11

    For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name [shall be] great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Psalms 18:3

    I will call upon the LORD, [who is worthy] to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

  • Isaiah 49:13

    ¶ Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

  • Psalms 86:9

    All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

  • Isaiah 59:19

    So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

  • Psalms 48:10

    According to thy name, O God, so [is] thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.

  • Revelation 11:15

    And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
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