Psalms 113:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 113:3 serves as a profound and expansive declaration of God's universal and perpetual worthiness, asserting that the LORD's name is to be praised without ceasing, spanning the entire globe from the moment the sun appears in the east until its descent in the west. This verse encapsulates a foundational truth of worship, establishing a boundless mandate for the adoration of God that transcends all temporal and geographical limitations, inviting all of creation to acknowledge His supreme majesty and inherent glory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 113 initiates the Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113-118), a cherished collection recited during significant Jewish festivals. The psalm opens with an urgent, threefold exhortation to praise: "Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD" ([Psalm 113:1](/psalms/113-1 "Psalm 113:1 - Call to Praise")). This initial call is immediately followed by a temporal expansion in [Psalm 113:2](/psalms/113-2 "Psalm 113:2 - From Everlasting to Everlasting"), blessing the Lord's name "from this time forth and for evermore." Verse 3 then dramatically broadens this scope, extending the call to praise spatially and universally, encompassing all lands and all times within a single day. This sets the stage for the psalm's subsequent extolling of God's incomparable greatness, who is exalted above all nations and heavens ([Psalm 113:4-6](/psalms/113-4-6 "Psalm 113:4-6 - God's Exaltedness")), and His compassionate condescension to lift the humble and needy ([Psalm 113:7-9](/psalms/113-7-9 "Psalm 113:7-9 - God Lifts the Lowly")). The progression within the opening verses thus moves from a specific, urgent call to praise, to eternal praise, and finally to an all-encompassing, global and continuous praise, before delving into the specific attributes that warrant such profound adoration.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Hallel Psalms were deeply embedded in the liturgical life of ancient Israel, particularly during the three annual pilgrimage festivals—Passover, Weeks (Shavuot), and Tabernacles (Sukkot)—as well as on New Moons and Hanukkah. Their recitation was a communal act of national thanksgiving and adoration, celebrating God's historical acts of deliverance, His unwavering covenant faithfulness, and His ongoing sovereignty over creation and human history. The imagery of the sun's daily journey "from the rising... unto the going down" was a common and potent poetic device in ancient Near Eastern literature. It served as a comprehensive marker for the entirety of a day, and by extension, symbolized universality and totality. For an agrarian society whose rhythms of life were intrinsically tied to the sun's cycles, this phrase would have powerfully underscored the idea that every moment of existence, across all lands illuminated by the sun, should be dedicated to God's praise. This cultural understanding amplified the verse's message of ceaseless and global worship.
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 113:3 profoundly contributes to several overarching theological themes prevalent throughout the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it champions **Universal Praise**, asserting that God's glory and worthiness are not confined to Israel but extend to all peoples and all places. This theme foreshadows the global reach of God's redemptive plan, a truth echoed in prophetic visions such as [Malachi 1:11](/malachi/1-11 "Malachi 1:11 - God's Name Great Among the Gentiles"), which declares that God's name will be great among the Gentiles. Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Inherent Worthiness**, emphasizing that "the LORD'S name"—a comprehensive term encompassing His revealed character, attributes, and covenant faithfulness—is the ultimate and sole object of all true adoration. This concept is foundational to all worship in Scripture, from the earliest covenants to the climactic worship of the [Lamb in Revelation](/revelation/5-12 "Revelation 5:12 - Worthy is the Lamb"). Lastly, the verse promotes **Continuous Devotion**, advocating for a lifestyle of perpetual worship that transcends specific times or locations. This resonates deeply with the New Testament call for unceasing prayer and praise found in texts like [1 Thessalonians 5:17-18](/1_thessalonians/5-17 "1 Thessalonians 5:17-17 - Pray Without Ceasing") and King David's personal commitment to bless the Lord "at all times" in [Psalm 34:1](/psalms/34-1 "Psalm 34:1 - David's Continuous Praise").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), God's personal, covenant name, often rendered "Yahweh" or "Jehovah." As derived from the root "to be," it signifies God's self-existence and eternal nature ("the self-Existent or Eternal"). The use of this specific name elevates the praise from a general deity to the unique, personal God of Israel, who reveals Himself and actively intervenes in history, most notably in His covenant faithfulness and redemptive acts.
* **name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** More than a mere label, "name" in Hebrew thought refers to the entirety of a person's character, reputation, authority, and essence. When applied to God, "the LORD's name" encapsulates all His revealed attributes—His holiness, power, goodness, faithfulness, and His redemptive acts. To praise His name is to acknowledge and extol the full revelation of who God is.
* **praised (Hebrew, _hâlal'_):** This primitive root is the origin of "Hallelujah" (Praise Yah!). It means to be clear, to shine, to make a show, to boast, or to celebrate. It implies an enthusiastic, joyful, and often public declaration of God's greatness, involving outward expressions of joy, adoration, and even exuberant boasting in His character and deeds. It signifies a vibrant, unreserved proclamation of God's worthiness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"From the rising of the sun":** This phrase denotes the dawn, the very beginning of the day, symbolizing the earliest possible moment for praise. It suggests that God's worship should be the first thought and act, setting the tone for all subsequent activities and underscoring a commitment to begin each day with adoration.
* **"unto the going down of the same":** This completes the daily cycle, encompassing the entire span of daylight hours until dusk. Together with the preceding phrase, it forms a comprehensive temporal boundary, indicating continuous, unceasing praise throughout every moment of the day, from its nascent light to its fading glow.
* **"the LORD'S name [is] to be praised":** This is the central declaration and imperative of the verse. "The LORD'S name" refers not just to a linguistic appellation but to God's entire revealed character, His attributes, His power, His holiness, His love, and His redemptive acts. The verb "is to be praised" conveys an inherent worthiness and a divine imperative; it is not merely an option but a rightful, necessary, and joyful response to who God is.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 113:3 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound and expansive message. The primary device is **Merism**, vividly expressed in the phrase "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same." By naming the two extremes (sunrise and sunset), the psalmist encompasses the entire span of the day, thereby signifying continuous, perpetual praise. This merism also extends metaphorically to represent all of time and all of creation, indicating **Universality**—that God's praise should emanate from every corner of the earth. The verse also utilizes **Personification** implicitly, as the sun's journey becomes a silent witness to, and perhaps even a participant in, the global call to praise, as if the very cosmos joins in the adoration. Furthermore, the repetition of the concept of "praise" from the preceding verses ([Psalm 113:1-2](/psalms/113-1-2 "Psalm 113:1-2 - Call to Praise and Bless the LORD")) establishes **Emphasis**, reinforcing the central theme of adoration and setting a powerful, worshipful tone for the entire Hallel collection. The declaration that "the LORD'S name is to be praised" functions as a **Theological Statement**, a foundational truth about God's intrinsic worthiness that underpins all worship and devotion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 113:3 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God and humanity's proper response to Him. It asserts God's absolute sovereignty and His transcendent glory, which are not confined by geographical boundaries or temporal limitations. The call for universal praise implies that God's redemptive plan extends beyond a single nation, encompassing all peoples who dwell under the sun. This verse also highlights the intrinsic worthiness of God's "name," which represents His revealed character and all His attributes. To praise His name is to acknowledge His holiness, power, goodness, and faithfulness, recognizing that He alone is worthy of ultimate adoration. It challenges believers to move beyond localized or occasional worship to embrace a continuous, all-encompassing lifestyle of praise that reflects God's boundless majesty.

* [Psalm 145:3](/psalms/145-3 "Psalm 145:3 - Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised")
* [Isaiah 45:22-23](/isaiah/45-22-23 "Isaiah 45:22-23 - Every Knee Shall Bow")
* [Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - All Creation Praises God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 113:3 offers a powerful invitation to cultivate a life saturated with praise, recognizing God's omnipresence and His continuous faithfulness. It challenges us to expand our understanding of worship beyond designated times and places, encouraging us to see every moment, from the first rays of dawn to the quiet of dusk, as an opportunity to acknowledge God's majesty. This verse reminds us that our praise is not merely a duty but a joyful response to the inherent worthiness of God's character, His "name." Embracing this truth transforms our perspective, enabling us to find reasons for praise even amidst life's challenges, as we remember that the God who rules the cosmos also condescends to care for the humble. Living out this verse means intentionally seeking God's presence and expressing gratitude throughout our daily routines, allowing our lives to become a continuous anthem of adoration that reflects His boundless glory, impacting our thoughts, words, and actions throughout the day.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the concept of "from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same" challenge or expand your current understanding of daily worship and its scope?**
* **What does it mean to praise "the LORD'S name" in a practical sense, beyond just saying words of praise? How can your actions reflect this praise?**
* **In what specific ways can you intentionally integrate more continuous praise into your everyday life, from morning to evening, in both mundane and significant moments?**
* **How does recognizing God's universal worthiness (across all lands and peoples) impact your perspective on global missions, intercessory prayer for the nations, or cross-cultural evangelism?**

### FAQ
**Why is the sun's journey used to describe praise?**

Answer: The phrase "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same" is a powerful poetic device known as a **merism**. It signifies totality and universality. By mentioning the two extreme points of the day—dawn and dusk—the psalmist encompasses the entire span of time, implying that God's name is to be praised continuously, without interruption, throughout every moment. This imagery also extends to a global scale, suggesting that wherever the sun shines, God's name should be glorified. It emphasizes that God's worthiness for praise is not limited by time or geography, but is boundless and perpetual, inviting all creation to acknowledge Him, much like the heavens declare His glory in [Psalm 19:1-6](/psalms/19-1-6 "Psalm 19:1-6 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 113:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalm calls for universal and perpetual praise of the LORD's name, it is through Christ that God's name, character, and redemptive work are most fully revealed and made accessible to all peoples. Jesus is the very [radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory"), the living embodiment of the "LORD's name" that is to be praised. His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection provide the ultimate and eternal reason for praise, as He accomplished the salvation that enables humanity to truly worship God in spirit and truth ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - True Worshipers")). The universal scope of praise envisioned in this psalm is realized in Christ, who commanded His disciples to [make disciples of all nations](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19 - The Great Commission"), ensuring that the praise of God's name would indeed extend "from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same" as people from every tribe, tongue, and nation come to know and worship Him ([Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "Revelation 7:9-10 - A Great Multitude Worships God")). Thus, the ancient call to praise the LORD's name becomes a vibrant call to acknowledge the supreme Lordship of Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer")), making Him worthy of all praise, forevermore.

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

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.