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Psalms 108:5

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Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;

Be thou exalted {H7311}, O God {H430}, above the heavens {H8064}: and thy glory {H3519} above all the earth {H776};

Be exalted, God, above heaven! May your glory be over all the earth,

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; may Your glory cover all the earth.

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens, And thy glory above all the earth.

Commentary

Psalms 108:5 is a powerful declaration of God's supreme majesty and universal renown, serving as a foundational statement of faith within a prayer for deliverance.

Context

This verse is part of Psalm 108, a composition attributed to David, which uniquely combines elements from two earlier psalms: Psalm 57:7-11 and Psalm 60:5-12. It begins with a resolute commitment to praise God ("My heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise," Psalm 108:1) and then transitions into an earnest plea for divine intervention and victory against enemies. Verse 5, positioned early in the psalm, establishes the psalmist's unwavering confidence in God's unparalleled power and sovereignty as the basis for his subsequent requests.

Key Themes

  • God's Transcendence and Supremacy: The phrase "above the heavens" emphasizes God's position as infinitely higher and greater than all creation, including the highest celestial bodies. He is not merely part of creation but stands sovereignly over it. This theme reinforces His divine sovereignty and unapproachable majesty.
  • Universal Glory: "Thy glory above all the earth" declares that God's inherent splendor, honor, and reputation are not confined but extend over and should be recognized by all of humanity and throughout the entire world. His glory is meant to be acknowledged universally, as seen in Isaiah 6:3.
  • Worship and Adoration: The verse is a fervent call to worship, urging the exaltation of God. It is a declaration of His worthiness to receive the highest praise and adoration from all beings.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "exalted" is רום (rum), meaning "to be high, lofty, lifted up." It signifies God's elevated position and supremacy. The term for "glory" is כָּבוֹד (kavod), which carries the sense of weight, honor, splendor, and majesty. It refers to God's inherent excellent character and the visible manifestation of His presence and power. The psalmist is not asking God to become exalted, but acknowledging and declaring His eternal state of being high and glorious.

Practical Application

Psalms 108:5 provides a powerful reminder for believers today. In times of personal struggle or global turmoil, this verse encourages us to first lift our eyes beyond our circumstances and declare God's unchanging greatness. Recognizing His supreme exaltation and universal glory fosters a deep sense of trust and hope. It calls us to live lives that reflect His glory, making His name known "above all the earth," and to prioritize worship that acknowledges His unparalleled position. This declaration of God's majesty serves as the firm ground upon which all our prayers and petitions should be built, knowing that the One to whom we pray is indeed "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think."

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Psalms 57:5 (8 votes)

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

  • Matthew 6:9 (5 votes)

    After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

  • Matthew 6:10 (5 votes)

    Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:10 (4 votes)

    ¶ Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed [be] thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:13 (4 votes)

    Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

  • Psalms 148:13 (4 votes)

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

  • Psalms 72:19 (4 votes)

    And blessed [be] his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled [with] his glory; Amen, and Amen.