King James Version

What Does Psalms 108:5 Mean?

Psalms 108:5 in the King James Version says “Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 108 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 108:5 · KJV

Context

3

I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

4

For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. clouds: or, skies

5

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

6

That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.

7

God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

Read Psalms 108 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse presents a prayer for God's manifest glory: 'Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens.' The word 'exalted' involves being lifted up, magnified, and acknowledged as supreme. 'Above the heavens' places God beyond all created order - transcendent over even the highest created realm. The parallel 'let thy glory be above all the earth' prays for God's glorious character and reputation to be recognized universally. This is both descriptive (God is already exalted) and prescriptive (praying for His glory to be acknowledged as such). The verse reflects a missionary impulse - a desire for God to be rightly honored everywhere. It also reflects proper theological perspective: worship centers on God's glory, not human experience. The prayer implicitly acknowledges that God's glory is currently contested or unrecognized, and longs for the day when every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10-11).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse appears in both Psalm 57:5 and 108:5, showing its liturgical significance. In the ancient worldview, 'the heavens' represented the height of creation, the dwelling place of celestial beings and the cosmic order. To pray for God to be exalted 'above the heavens' was to acknowledge His supremacy over all powers and principalities. In David's context, when Israel was surrounded by nations attributing victories to their gods (Chemosh for Moab, Dagon for Philistia, Baal for Canaanites), this prayer affirmed YHWH's absolute supremacy. During Israel's exile, when it appeared that Marduk of Babylon had defeated YHWH, such prayers maintained theological truth against political appearances. The prayer for God's glory 'above all the earth' envisions the day when His universal sovereignty would be manifest. This anticipates prophetic visions like Isaiah 6:3 ('the whole earth is full of his glory') and Habakkuk 2:14 ('the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD').

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to pray for God to be exalted when He is already supreme?
  2. How does this prayer for God's glory challenge human-centered approaches to faith that focus on personal benefit?
  3. Why is it significant that God's exaltation is prayed for 'above the heavens' and not just on earth?
  4. In what ways does praying for God's glory to be universally recognized shape our mission and priorities?
  5. How do we reconcile prayers for God's glory to be manifest with the reality that it often remains unrecognized?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
ר֣וּמָה1 of 8

“Be thou exalted”

H7311

to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

עַל2 of 8
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שָׁמַ֣יִם3 of 8

“above the heavens”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

אֱלֹהִ֑ים4 of 8

“O God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְעַ֖ל5 of 8
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל6 of 8
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָאָ֣רֶץ7 of 8

“above all the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ׃8 of 8

“and thy glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 108:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 108:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 57:5Matthew 6:9-10Psalms 8:1Psalms 72:19Psalms 21:13Psalms 148:13

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 108 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 108 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes