Psalms 148:13

KJV

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

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Let them praise the name of ADONAI, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above both earth and heaven.

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.

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.

Commentary

### 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](/psalms/148-1 "Psalms 148:1-6 - Call to Heavenly Praise"). 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](/psalms/148-7 "Psalms 148:7-10 - Call to Earthly Praise"). Finally, it includes all humanity, regardless of age or social standing, in verses [11-12](/psalms/148-11 "Psalms 148:11-12 - Call to Human Praise"). 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.
* **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](/isaiah/40-18 "Isaiah 40:18 - To whom then will ye liken God?"). 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](/psalms/8-1 "Psalm 8:1 - God's Excellent Name and Glory"). 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](/revelation/4-11 "Revelation 4:11 - Worthy is the Lamb").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Praise (Hebrew, _hâlal'_):** This primitive root 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.
* **Name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** More than a mere label, "shêm" 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.
* **Glory (Hebrew, _hôwd'_):** Derived from an unused root, "hôwd" 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.

#### 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.
* **"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.
* **"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.

#### 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.

### 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.

* [Psalm 8:1](/psalms/8-1 "Psalm 8:1 - God's Excellent Name and Glory")
* [Isaiah 40:18](/isaiah/40-18 "Isaiah 40:18 - To whom then will ye liken God?")
* [Revelation 4:11](/revelation/4-11 "Revelation 4:11 - Worthy is the Lamb")

### 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.

#### 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?**

### 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. 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 [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD").

### 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](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Jesus' Exalted Name") 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](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Jesus, the Radiance of God's Glory")). 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](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ, Creator and Sustainer")).

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 113:4

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

Psalms 8:9

O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] thy name in all the earth!

Isaiah 12:4

¶ And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.

1 Peter 3:22

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Psalms 99:3

Let them praise thy great and terrible name; [for] it [is] holy.

Psalms 99:4

The king's strength also loveth judgment; thou dost establish equity, thou executest judgment and righteousness in Jacob.