Psalms 148:13
Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights that God's glory is "above earth and heaven," but notice the order: earth first, then heaven. This subtle shift points to God's majesty being so vast it even surpasses the grandeur of the heavens themselves, drawing our attention from the earthly to the truly celestial.
This verse concludes a sweeping call for all creation and all humanity to praise God. After summoning everything from the highest heavens to the deepest seas, and then kings, princes, and every person, the psalm now declares why they should praise: God's name alone is supreme, and His glory surpasses everything in earth and sky. This exaltation of God's name is the ultimate reason for the universal chorus of praise.
Why does the Bible emphasize praising God's 'name'? What makes it so central to our worship?
The verse states, 'for his name alone is exalted.' This isn't just about a label; in ancient thought, a name represented a person's entire being, reputation, and authority. Praising God's 'name' means acknowledging and celebrating who He is – His character, His power, His majesty. The phrase 'alone is exalted' is a powerful declaration of God's uniqueness. No other being, power, or entity can compare. This truth is the very foundation of true worship. It’s an act of recognizing His supreme worth and sovereignty above all else.
We see God's glory in the stars and the trees, but the verse claims His glory is above them. What does that mean?
The psalm declares, 'his majesty is above earth and heaven.' This speaks to the boundless nature of God's glory. While all of creation—from the smallest insect to the grandest galaxy—reflects His majesty, God's glory is not contained within it. He is not limited by the physical universe He created. His greatness transcends all space and being. Even the most magnificent sights in heaven and earth are mere reflections of His infinitely greater, uncontainable glory. This perspective should humble us, but also inspire awe and wonder at the sheer vastness of our Creator.
Who is being called to praise God here? What does this tell us about worship?
The entirety of Psalm 148 builds to this climactic call for praise. Verse 13 directly addresses 'them'—referring back to all of creation, both celestial and terrestrial, and importantly, all of humanity (kings, peoples, princes, judges, young men, virgins, old men, and children in preceding verses). This is not an optional activity for a select few; it's a universal summons. Every part of creation, and especially every person, has a role in acknowledging God's unmatched glory. The reason given is His supreme worthiness. Our praise is a response to who He is, and the psalm insists that this response should be comprehensive, encompassing all beings and all ages.
Understand the original words
halal · Hebrew Verb
To express joyful approval, exaltation, and worship directed toward God, acknowledging His attributes and mighty works.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal and revealed name of God (Yahweh), signifying His covenant relationship with His people and His self-existent, eternal nature.
sagab · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
Being lifted up, set apart, or supreme; used of God to denote His unsurpassable greatness and position above all created things.
hod · Hebrew Noun
The royal dignity, splendor, and grandeur of God, reflecting His supreme authority and incomparable glory.
This passage echoes the immense glory of God described as 'above the earth and heaven,' showing seraphim proclaiming His holiness. It highlights the transcendent majesty that Psalm 148:13 celebrates.
Psalm 8:1This verse also focuses on the exalted name of the LORD, whose 'glory is above the heavens,' making a direct parallel to the theme of God's unmatched greatness.
Colossians 1:16-17This New Testament passage speaks to Christ's supremacy as the Creator of all things, both seen and unseen, above earth and heaven. It points to Him as the ultimate reason for God's name being exalted.
Revelation 4:11This passage describes the heavenly elders acknowledging God's worthiness of glory, honor, and power because He created all things. It resonates with the call in Psalm 148 for all creation to praise Him for His majestic existence.
bensonPsalms 148:13: "Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven."
Psalm 148:13-14 . Let them praise, &c. — Let them acknowledge and celebrate the wisdom, goodness, and power of the Lord; for his name alone is excellent — For how great soever any other beings may be, there is none equal to him, whose most excellent majesty infinitely surpasses that of all other beings; and whose glory is above the earth and heaven — Above all that th…
pulpitPsalms 148:13: "Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven."
Verse 13. - Let them praise the Name of the Lord. This is the burden of the entire psalm (see especially ver. 5, and comp. vers. 1-4, 7, and 14). For his Name alone is excellent; or, "exalted" (comp. Psalm 8:1; Isaiah 12:4). The exaltation of God's Name is effected mainly by the praises which his rational creatures render to him. His glory is above the earth and heave…
The verse highlights that God's glory is "above earth and heaven," but notice the order: earth first, then heaven. This subtle shift points to God's majesty being so vast it even surpasses the grandeur of the heavens themselves, drawing our attention from the earthly to the truly celestial.
This verse concludes a sweeping call for all creation and all humanity to praise God. After summoning everything from the highest heavens to the deepest seas, and then kings, princes, and every person, the psalm now declares why they should praise: God's name alone is supreme, and His glory surpasses everything in earth and sky. This exaltation of God's name is the ultimate reason for the universal chorus of praise.
This verse concludes a sweeping call for all creation and all humanity to praise God. After summoning everything from the highest heavens to the deepest seas, and then kings, princes, and every person, the psalm now declares they should praise: God's name alone is supreme, and His glory surpasses everything in earth and sky. This exaltation of God's name is the ultimate reason for the universal chorus of praise.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Psalms 148:13 is available in the Sola app.
"Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven." — The verse highlights that God's glory is "above earth and heaven," but notice the order: earth first, then heaven. This subtle shift points to God's majesty being so vast it even surpasses the grande…
