Psalms 113:4

KJV

The LORD [is] high above all nations, [and] his glory above the heavens.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} is high {H7311} above all nations {H1471}, and his glory {H3519} above the heavens {H8064}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI is high above all nations, his glory above the heavens.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens.

American Standard Version

Jehovah is high above all nations, And his glory above the heavens.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 113:4 powerfully declares the unparalleled sovereignty and transcendent majesty of the Lord. It proclaims that Yahweh's authority extends infinitely beyond all earthly powers and human institutions, encompassing every nation. Furthermore, His inherent splendor and glorious presence are depicted as surpassing even the highest created realms, the heavens themselves, establishing His absolute supremacy over all existence and providing a compelling, universal basis for worship and praise.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 113 initiates the Hallel collection (Psalms 113-118), a series of psalms traditionally recited during significant Jewish festivals, notably Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot. The psalm opens with an urgent, repeated call to praise the Lord's name, establishing a thematic progression from God's exalted, transcendent nature (verses 1-4) to His compassionate condescension and care for the lowly and downtrodden (verses 5-9). Verse 4, specifically, grounds this fervent call to praise in God's supreme position, serving as a pivotal statement that contrasts His infinite height with His gracious willingness to humble Himself, a central paradox explored throughout the Hallel. This verse acts as the theological bedrock for the subsequent celebration of God's redemptive acts.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Hallel psalms were deeply embedded in the liturgical life of ancient Israel. Their recitation during Passover, for instance, powerfully reminded the Israelites of God's mighty acts of deliverance from Egyptian bondage, a historical event that profoundly demonstrated His sovereignty over nations and His compassionate care for the oppressed. The declaration that "The LORD is high above all nations" would have resonated with profound significance for a people who frequently faced the threat or dominion of powerful empires (e.g., Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia). Culturally, the concept of a deity's "glory" (Hebrew: *kavod*) was understood as their weighty presence, honor, and visible manifestation of power and authority, often associated with the heavens as the dwelling place of divine beings. This verse thus speaks to both God's historical intervention and His inherent, uncreated nature.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 113:4 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. It powerfully articulates **Divine Supremacy**, asserting God's absolute dominion over all earthly governments and human affairs, echoing sentiments found in passages like [Psalm 103:19](/psalms/103-19 "Psalm 103:19 - God's Universal Dominion"). This declaration of God's unparalleled authority provides the fundamental reason for the universal call to worship that permeates the Hallel. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes **Transcendent Glory**, portraying God's majesty as not merely greater than human institutions but as surpassing even the highest created order—the heavens themselves. This concept of God's glory filling and transcending all creation is a recurring motif, as seen in [Psalm 19:1](/psalms/19-1 "Psalm 19:1 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory") where the heavens declare His handiwork, and [Isaiah 6:3](/isaiah/6-3 "Isaiah 6:3 - God's Glory Fills the Earth"), where His train fills the temple and the whole earth is full of His glory.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the Tetragrammaton (YHWH, יהוה), God's personal covenant name, derived from the root meaning "to be" or "to exist." As the "self-Existent or Eternal," its use here emphasizes God's faithful, eternal, and unchanging nature, distinguishing Him from the transient, created deities of the nations. It signifies His active presence and unwavering commitment to His people, making His transcendence deeply personal.
* **high (Hebrew, _rûwm'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to be high," "to rise or raise," or "to be lofty." This word powerfully conveys God's elevated status, His absolute supremacy, and His position of ultimate authority. It suggests not just spatial elevation but a qualitative superiority and transcendence over all other entities, whether human or cosmic, implying His unassailable position of power and dominion.
* **glory (Hebrew, _kâbôwd'_):** Derived from a root meaning "weight," this word in a theological context signifies splendor, honor, majesty, and the manifest presence of God. When applied to God, *kâbôwd* describes His inherent, weighty magnificence, His magnificent character, and the visible manifestation of His power and holiness that inherently demands worship and reverence. It is His intrinsic worth and resplendence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD [is] high above all nations":** This clause emphatically declares God's absolute sovereignty and transcendence over all earthly powers and political entities. "Nations" (גּוֹיִם, *goyim*) refers to the Gentile peoples, their kingdoms, and their rulers. The assertion that Yahweh is "high above" them signifies His ultimate authority, control, and qualitative superiority. No human empire, ideology, or military might can rival His power or escape His dominion. This sets the stage for the Hallel's broader message of God's ability to humble the proud and lift the lowly, demonstrating His active rule in human history.
* **"[and] his glory above the heavens":** This second clause extends the scope of God's supremacy beyond the earthly realm to the cosmic. "Heavens" (שָׁמַיִם, *shamayim*) represents the highest created order, the celestial sphere, often considered the dwelling place of God or the realm of divine beings and celestial bodies. To say His glory is "above the heavens" means that His inherent splendor, majesty, and weighty presence transcend even the vastness and grandeur of the cosmos. It implies His uncreated, infinite glory that is not contained by creation but rather encompasses and surpasses it, reinforcing His unique, incomparable nature and His absolute independence from all that He has made.

#### Literary Devices
The psalmist employs several potent literary devices in Psalms 113:4 to convey God's supreme majesty and transcendence. **Hyperbole** is evident in the declarations "high above all nations" and "glory above the heavens," emphasizing an immeasurable superiority that transcends all earthly and cosmic boundaries. This is not merely a statement of position but of absolute qualitative difference, asserting God's infinite greatness. **Parallelism**, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, is used effectively, where the second clause ("his glory above the heavens") reiterates and intensifies the concept presented in the first ("The LORD is high above all nations"). The "LORD" in the first line is paralleled by "his glory" in the second, and "all nations" by "the heavens," expanding the scope of God's dominion from the earthly to the cosmic. This reinforces the idea of God's universal and ultimate sovereignty. The use of the divine name **Yahweh** (LORD) imbues the declaration with a sense of covenant faithfulness and personal relationship, even as it asserts cosmic authority, adding a layer of theological depth to the expression of divine power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 113:4 lays a foundational theological truth about God's absolute transcendence and sovereignty, which undergirds the entire biblical narrative. This declaration is not merely an abstract theological statement but a profound assertion of God's active dominion over history and creation. It establishes that He is utterly distinct from and superior to all created things, including human governments, natural forces, and even the celestial bodies. This divine supremacy forms the bedrock for understanding God's unique authority to deliver, judge, and redeem, as He alone possesses the power and glory to orchestrate the affairs of nations and the cosmos according to His perfect will. His glory, which transcends the heavens, signifies His inherent worthiness of all praise and worship from every creature, for He is the uncreated Creator.

* [Isaiah 40:15](/isaiah/40-15 "Isaiah 40:15 - Nations as a Drop in a Bucket")
* [Daniel 4:17](/daniel/4-17 "Daniel 4:17 - God Rules the Kingdoms of Men")
* [Nehemiah 9:6](/nehemiah/9-6 "Nehemiah 9:6 - God as Creator and Sustainer of All")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For believers today, Psalms 113:4 offers a profound anchor in a world often characterized by instability, political turmoil, and humanistic hubris. In moments of national crisis or personal anxiety, this verse serves as a powerful reminder that God remains sovereignly "high above all nations." Our trust is not ultimately in earthly leaders, economic systems, or military might, but in the One whose glory transcends even the heavens. This truth should cultivate a deep sense of humility, recognizing our finite place before such an immense God, and simultaneously inspire unwavering confidence and worship. It calls us to fix our gaze on His transcendent majesty, fostering a perspective that sees earthly circumstances through the lens of His ultimate control, thereby deepening our awe and prompting us to live lives that reflect His boundless glory in every sphere of influence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth that "The LORD is high above all nations" impact your perspective on current global events or political anxieties?**
* **In what ways does recognizing God's "glory above the heavens" deepen your worship and sense of awe for Him?**
* **How can the transcendence of God, as described in this verse, provide comfort and stability in your personal life amidst challenges and uncertainties?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for God to be "high above all nations"?**

Answer: This phrase signifies God's absolute sovereignty, authority, and qualitative superiority over every earthly kingdom, government, and human power structure. It means that no nation, ruler, or ideology can stand against His ultimate will or escape His dominion. He is not merely the God of Israel, but the supreme ruler of all peoples and their affairs, as affirmed in passages like [Psalm 22:28](/psalms/22-28 "Psalm 22:28 - God Rules Over the Nations"). This truth provides immense comfort and assurance that despite apparent chaos or human evil, God remains firmly in control of world history and will ultimately bring His purposes to pass.

**How is God's "glory above the heavens" different from His glory filling the earth?**

Answer: When Psalms 113:4 states God's "glory above the heavens," it emphasizes His transcendence—His glory is not contained or limited by creation, even the vastness of the cosmos. It points to His uncreated, infinite, and inherent splendor that exists independently of and superior to all created things. This speaks to His essential nature. In contrast, when the Bible speaks of God's glory "filling the earth" (e.g., [Isaiah 6:3](/isaiah/6-3 "Isaiah 6:3 - God's Glory Fills the Whole Earth") or [Numbers 14:21](/numbers/14-21 "Numbers 14:21 - The Earth Filled with God's Glory")), it refers to the manifest presence and visible display of His glory within creation, making His power, wisdom, and holiness evident to humanity. Both concepts affirm His majesty, but "above the heavens" highlights His uncontainable transcendence, while "filling the earth" speaks to His immanent revelation and active presence within His creation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 113:4, in its declaration of God's supreme exaltation and glory above all nations and heavens, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalm speaks of Yahweh's transcendent majesty, the New Testament reveals that this very God, "high above all nations," chose to humble Himself in the Incarnation, taking on human flesh and becoming obedient to death on a cross ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Yet, after His redemptive work on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Jesus was supremely exalted by God, receiving "the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus")). He is now seated at the right hand of the Father, "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come" ([Ephesians 1:20-21](/ephesians/1-20 "Ephesians 1:20-21 - Christ's Supremacy Over All Things")). Thus, the glory of God that is "above the heavens" is now fully embodied and perfectly revealed in the resurrected and ascended Christ, through whom all nations will ultimately acknowledge His sovereignty and worship His incomparable glory ([Revelation 5:13](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - All Creation Worships the Lamb")). He is the visible manifestation of the invisible God, the very radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")), making the transcendent God accessible and His glory comprehensible to humanity.

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

Psalms 8:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

Psalms 99:2

The LORD [is] great in Zion; and he [is] high above all the people.

Psalms 97:9

For thou, LORD, [art] high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

Psalms 148:13

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory [is] above the earth and heaven.

Isaiah 40:17

All nations before him [are] as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.

Psalms 57:10

For thy mercy [is] great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

Psalms 57:11

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: [let] thy glory [be] above all the earth.