Psalms 148:13

Translation
King James Version
Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
Let them praise H1984 the name H8034 of the LORD H3068: for his name H8034 alone is excellent H7682; his glory H1935 is above the earth H776 and heaven H8064.
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
Let them praise the name of ADONAI, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above both earth and heaven.
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
Ask
American Standard Version
Let them praise the name of Jehovah; For his name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and the heavens.
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
let them praise the LORD’s name, for his name alone is exalted. His glory is above the earth and the heavens.
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
Let them prayse the Name of the Lord: for his Name onely is to be exalted, and his prayse aboue the earth and the heauens.
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
They praise the name of Jehovah, For His name alone hath been set on high, His honour is above earth and heavens.
Ask
See also
Psalms 8:1Psalms 113:4Psalms 8:9Isaiah 12:41 Peter 3:22Psalms 99:3Psalms 99:4
In the KJVVerse 16,385 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Psalms 148:13 serves as the theological anchor for a universal call to worship, powerfully asserting the singular and unsurpassed majesty of the LORD. This verse declares that all creation, from the highest heavens to the deepest earth, is compelled to offer praise because God's character and authority are uniquely excellent, and His glorious presence transcends every created realm, establishing Him as the sole worthy recipient of ultimate adoration.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Psalms 148 is a vibrant and climactic hymn of praise, forming part of the final Hallelujah Psalms (Psalms 146-150). The psalm begins with an expansive summons for the celestial hosts—angels, sun, moon, and stars—to praise the LORD in verses 1-6. It then broadens this invitation to encompass all earthly elements and creatures, from sea monsters and the depths to mountains, hills, trees, wild animals, livestock, and creeping things in verses 7-10. Finally, it includes all humanity, regardless of age or social standing, in verses 11-12. Verse 13 provides the fundamental justification for this comprehensive, cosmic chorus of adoration, shifting from the command to praise to the inherent, incomparable attributes of God that demand such reverence. It acts as the theological linchpin for the entire psalm, explaining why all creation should praise.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The Psalms, as the prayer book and hymnbook of ancient Israel, reflect a worldview deeply rooted in monotheism, where the LORD (Yahweh) is understood as the one true God, distinct from and superior to all pagan deities. In a polytheistic ancient Near Eastern world, where various gods were associated with natural phenomena or national identities, the declaration of the LORD's "name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven" was a radical assertion of His absolute sovereignty and transcendence. This was not merely a poetic flourish but a theological polemic against idolatry, affirming that no created thing, no human ruler, and no false god could compare to the Creator of all. The concept of God's "name" carried immense weight, signifying His revealed character, authority, and presence, not just a label. This understanding of God's unique identity is crucial to Israel's covenant relationship, as seen in the foundational declaration of Deuteronomy 6:4.
  • Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the Psalms and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the Uniqueness and Incomparability of God, emphasizing that the LORD stands alone in His excellence and glory, with no rivals in heaven or on earth. This resonates with themes found in passages like Isaiah 40:18. Secondly, it highlights God's Transcendent Sovereignty, asserting that His glory is not merely superior but fundamentally distinct from and infinitely elevated above all created order, demonstrating His absolute dominion over every sphere of existence. This echoes the divine majesty described in Psalm 8:1. Thirdly, it reinforces the Exclusive Worthiness of Praise for the LORD, establishing that because of His unparalleled excellence and transcendent glory, He alone is the rightful and ultimate recipient of universal worship from all creation, a truth foundational to biblical monotheism and seen in Revelation 4:11.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Praise (Hebrew, hâlal', H1984): This primitive root (H1984) means "to be clear (originally of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate." In the context of Psalms 148:13, it signifies a fervent, public, and often boisterous celebration or commendation of God. It's not a quiet admiration but an active, joyous proclamation of His worth, often involving exuberant acclamation.
  • Name (Hebrew, shêm', H8034): More than a mere label, "shêm" (H8034) refers to an appellation as a mark or memorial of individuality, implying honor, authority, and character. To praise the "name of the LORD" is to praise His entire revealed being, His attributes, His reputation, and His very essence. It encompasses all that God is and all that He has made known about Himself, including His covenant faithfulness and power.
  • Excellent (Hebrew, sâgab', H7682): This primitive root (H7682) means "to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong." When applied to God's name, it signifies His towering greatness, His exalted status, and His unapproachable majesty. It underscores His unique and incomparable nature, indicating that His worthiness is supremely elevated above all else.
  • Glory (Hebrew, hôwd', H1935): Derived from an unused root, "hôwd" (H1935) signifies grandeur, an imposing form and appearance, beauty, comeliness, excellency, and majesty. It speaks to the inherent splendor and magnificent presence of God. When the verse states His glory is "above the earth and heaven," it emphasizes His supreme, transcendent majesty that surpasses all creation, revealing His inherent radiance and divine splendor.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Let them praise the name of the LORD:" This is a direct imperative, a command issued to all the entities previously called upon in the psalm (heavenly hosts, earthly creatures, and humanity). The object of their praise is not merely a concept or an abstract idea, but the "name of the LORD," which encapsulates His revealed character, His authority, and His very being. It is a call for active, vocal, and universal adoration directed at the one true God, Yahweh, who has made Himself known.
  • "for his name alone is excellent;" This clause provides the foundational reason and justification for the preceding command. The Hebrew word for "excellent" (sâgab) implies being lofty, exalted, or inaccessible, suggesting towering greatness and supremacy. It underscores God's unique and incomparable nature; there is no one else whose character, authority, and essence possess such intrinsic worthiness and elevated status. His excellence is singular and unrivaled, demanding exclusive devotion.
  • "his glory [is] above the earth and heaven." This second explanatory clause further expounds on God's unparalleled nature. "His glory" (hôwd) refers to His inherent splendor, majesty, and magnificent presence. The phrase "above the earth and heaven" signifies His transcendence and absolute dominion. It means His majesty is not merely superior to, but fundamentally distinct from and infinitely elevated above, all created realms, whether terrestrial or celestial. His glory fills and extends beyond every sphere of existence, demonstrating His ultimate sovereignty and boundless majesty.

Literary Devices

Psalms 148:13 employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is Hyperbole, seen in the declaration that God's glory is "above the earth and heaven." While literally true in terms of His transcendence, the phrasing emphasizes the immeasurable and unfathomable extent of His majesty, far beyond human comprehension or any created comparison. This also functions as Merism, where two contrasting parts ("earth" and "heaven") are used to represent the totality of creation, implying that God's glory encompasses and surpasses everything within the cosmos. The verse also utilizes Justification/Reasoning, as the second half of the verse ("for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven") provides the explicit theological rationale for the command in the first half ("Let them praise the name of the LORD"). This logical structure reinforces the absolute necessity and proper direction of worship, grounding the call to praise in God's intrinsic attributes.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Psalms 148:13 is a profound theological statement that anchors all worship in the intrinsic nature of God. It teaches that praise is not merely an emotional response or a transactional act, but a necessary and fitting acknowledgment of God's unique excellence and transcendent glory. This verse underscores the biblical truth that God is inherently worthy of all adoration, not just for what He does, but for who He is—the incomparable, sovereign Creator whose majesty surpasses all things. It challenges any anthropocentric view of worship, redirecting focus entirely to the divine, reminding us that our praise is a participation in the cosmic chorus that rightly declares His supreme worth. This perspective cultivates a deep sense of humility and awe, recognizing our place within a creation that universally testifies to God's unparalleled greatness.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Psalms 148:13 calls us to cultivate a profound sense of awe and reverence for God, reminding us that our ultimate purpose is to magnify His name. In a world that constantly competes for our attention and allegiance, this verse serves as a powerful reorientation, directing our hearts and minds back to the one true source of all excellence and glory. It challenges us to examine the foundations of our own worship: Is our praise truly rooted in who God is, or is it primarily contingent on what He does for us? By meditating on His unique excellence and transcendent glory, we are invited to join the universal chorus of creation, recognizing His absolute sovereignty over all things. This recognition should inspire us to live lives that reflect His glory, not just in our moments of formal worship, but in every aspect of our daily existence, acknowledging that He alone is worthy of our highest praise and deepest devotion. Our actions, words, and attitudes should consistently point to the One whose name is excellent and whose glory is above all.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does understanding God's "excellent name" and "glory above earth and heaven" deepen your personal worship?
  • In what ways might our modern lives distract us from recognizing God's unique excellence, and how can we intentionally reorient our focus?
  • How does the universal call to praise in Psalms 148, culminating in verse 13, inform your understanding of your own place within creation and your responsibility to praise?

FAQ

What does it mean that God's "name alone is excellent"?

Answer: The phrase "his name alone is excellent" signifies that God's character, authority, and very essence are utterly unique and incomparable. In biblical thought, a "name" represents the full revelation of a person's being, encompassing their reputation, power, and inherent nature. So, when it says His "name alone is excellent," it means that only the LORD possesses inherent, supreme greatness, intrinsic worthiness, and an elevated status that transcends all other beings or powers. There is no rival or equal to His divine nature and attributes, making Him the sole worthy object of ultimate praise. This concept is foundational to monotheism, asserting that the God of Israel is distinct from and superior to all other deities or created things, as also highlighted in the foundational declaration of Deuteronomy 6:4.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Psalms 148:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's excellent name and transcendent glory. While the psalm calls all creation to praise the LORD, the New Testament reveals that this same LORD, Yahweh, has fully revealed Himself in the person of Jesus. The "name" that is excellent above all names is ultimately given to Christ, as Philippians 2:9-11 declares, "God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Furthermore, the "glory above the earth and heaven" is perfectly manifested in Christ, who is the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1:3). In Jesus, the invisible God becomes visible, and His unparalleled excellence and transcendent majesty are made known in a way that invites not just creation's praise, but also humanity's redemption and intimate fellowship. Thus, the cosmic call to praise in Psalms 148:13 culminates in the worship of Christ, through whom all things were created and in whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17), making Him the rightful and supreme object of all praise.

Copy as

Commentary on Psalms 148 verses 7–14

Considering that this earth, and the atmosphere that surrounds it, are the very sediment of the universe, it concerns us to enquire after those considerations that may be of use to reconcile us to our place in it; and I know none more likely than this (next to the visit which the Son of God once made to it), that even in this world, dark and as bad as it is, God is praised: Praise you the Lord from the earth, Psa 148:7. As the rays of the sun, which are darted directly from heaven, reflect back (though more weakly) from the earth, so should the praises of God, with which this cold and infected world should be warmed and perfumed.

I. Even those creatures that are not dignified with the powers of reason are summoned into this concert, because God may be glorified in them, Psa 148:7-10. Let the dragons or whales, that sport themselves in the mighty waters (Psa 104:26), dance before the Lord, to his glory, who largely proves his own omnipotence by his dominion over the leviathan or whale, Job 41:1, etc. All deeps, and their inhabitants, praise God - the sea, and the animals there - the bowels of the earth, and the animals there. Out of the depths God may be praised as well as prayed unto. If we look up into the atmosphere we meet with a great variety of meteors, which, being a king of new productions (and some of them unaccountable), do in a special manner magnify the power of the great Creator. There are fiery meteors; lightning is fire, and there are other blazes sometimes kindled which may be so called. There are watery meteors, hail, and snow, and the vapours of which they are gendered. There are airy meteors, stormy winds; we know not whence they come nor whither they go, whence their mighty force comes nor how it is spent; but this we know, that, be they ever so strong, so stormy, they fulfil God's word, and do that, and no more than that, which he appoints them; and by this Christ showed himself to have a divine power, that he commanded even the winds and the seas, and they obeyed him. Those that will not fulfil God's word, but rise up in rebellion against it, show themselves to be more violent and headstrong than even the stormy winds, for they fulfil it. Take a view of the surface of the earth (Psa 148:9), and there are presented to our view the exalted grounds, mountains and all hills, from the barren tops of some of which, and the fruitful tops of others, we may fetch matter for praise; there are the exalted plants, some that are exalted by their usefulness, as the fruitful trees of various kinds, for the fruits of which God is to be praised, others by their stateliness, as all cedars, those trees of the Lord, Psa 104:16. Cedars, the high trees, are not the fruitful trees, yet they had their use even in God's temple. Pass we next to the animal kingdom, and there we find God glorified, even by the beasts that run wild, and all cattle that are tame and in the service of man, Psa 148:10. Nay, even the creeping things have not sunk so low, nor do the flying fowl soar so high, as not to be called upon to praise the Lord. Much of the wisdom, power, and goodness of the Creator appears in the several capacities and instincts of the creatures, in the provision made for them and the use made of them. When we see all so very strange, and all so very good, surely we cannot but acknowledge God with wonder and thankfulness.

II. Much more those creatures that are dignified with the powers of reason ought to employ them in praising God: Kings of the earth and all people, Psa 148:11, Psa 148:12. 1. God is to be glorified in and for these, as in and for the inferior creatures, for their hearts are in the hand of the Lord and he makes what use he pleases of them. God is to be praised in the order and constitution of kingdoms, the pars imperans - the part that commands, and the pars subdita - the part that is subject: Kings of the earth and all people. It is by him that kings reign, and people are subject to them; the princes and judges of the earth have their wisdom and their commission from him, and we, to whom they are blessings, ought to bless God for them. God is to be praised also in the constitution of families, for he is the founder of them; and for all the comfort of relations, the comfort that parents and children, brothers and sisters, have in each other, God is to be praised. 2. God is to be glorified by these. Let all manner of persons praise God. (1.) Those of each rank, high and low. The praises of kings, and princes, and judges, are demanded; those on whom God has put honour must honour him with it, and the power they are entrusted with, and the figure they make in the world, put them in a capacity of bringing more glory to God and doing him more service than others. Yet the praises of the people are expected also, and God will graciously accept of them; Christ despised not the hosannas of the multitude. (2.) Those of each sex, young men and maidens, who are accustomed to make merry together; let them turn their mirth into this channel; let it be sacred, that it may be pure. (3.) Those of each age. Old men must still bring forth this fruit in old age, and not think that either the gravity or the infirmity of their age will excuse them from it; and children too must begin betimes to praise God; even out of the mouth of babes and sucklings this good work is perfected. A good reason is given (Psa 148:13) why all these should praise the name of the Lord, because his name alone is excellent and worthy to be praised; it is a name above every name, no name, no nature, but his, has in it all excellency. His glory is above both the earth and the heaven, and let all inhabitants both of earth and heaven praise him and yet acknowledge his name to be exalted far above all blessing and praise.

III. Most of all his own people, who are dignified with peculiar privileges, must in a peculiar manner give glory to him, Psa 148:14. Observe, 1. The dignity God has put upon his people, even the children of Israel, typical of the honour reserved for all true believers, who are God's spiritual Israel. He exalts their horn, their brightness, their plenty, their power. The people of Israel were, in many respects, honoured above any other nation, for to them pertained the adoption, the glory, and the covenants, Rom 9:4. It was their own honour that they were a people near unto God, his Segulla, his peculiar treasure; they were admitted into his courts, when a stranger that came nigh must be put to death. They had him nigh to them in all that which they called upon him for. This blessing has not come upon the Gentiles, through Christ, for those that were afar off are by his blood made nigh, Eph 2:13. It is the greatest honour that can be put upon a man to be brought near to god, the nearer the better; and it will be best of all when nearest of all in the kingdom of glory. 2. The duty God expects from them in consideration of this. Let those whom God honours honour him: Praise you the Lord. Let him be the praise of all his saints, the object of their praise; for he is a praise to them. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, Deu 10:21. Some by the horn of his people understand David, as a type of Christ, whom God has exalted to be a prince and a Saviour, who is indeed the praise of all his saints and will be so for ever; for it is through him that they are a people near to God.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–14. Public domain.
Copy as
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 148
"For His Name only is exalted" [Psalm 148:13]. Let no man seek to exalt his own name. Will you be exalted? Subject yourself to Him who cannot be humbled.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying Psalms 148:13 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.