King James Version

What Does Psalms 148:13 Mean?

Psalms 148:13 in the King James Version says “Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. excellen...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 148 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. excellent: Heb. exalted”

Psalms 148:13 · KJV

Context

11

Kings of the earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of the earth:

12

Both young men, and maidens; old men, and children:

13

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

14

He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse addresses earthly geography and geopolitical entities: 'Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.' The verse commands mountains, hills, and perhaps (implied from the context) all geographical features to praise God. 'His name alone is excellent' (Hebrew 'shmo levado nisgav') asserts that God's reputation and character stand alone as supremely exalted. 'Alone' excludes rivalry - no other name compares. 'Excellent' (nisgav) means elevated, set apart, incomparably high. The phrase 'his glory is above the earth and heaven' synthesizes the previous verses' calls to celestial and earthly praise: God's glory transcends both realms. The 'name' emphasis recurs throughout the Final Hallel, emphasizing that praising God's 'name' means honoring His character, reputation, and revealed nature. By commanding geographical entities to praise God's name, the psalm asserts that all space belongs to God and manifests His glory.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The command for mountains and hills to praise appears in Isaiah 49:13 and 55:12, suggesting this as a developing theme in post-exilic theology. Mountains in ancient Near Eastern thought often represented cosmic significance and sometimes housed temples or divine presence. By commanding mountains to praise God, the psalm asserts that geographical space belongs to God and manifests His presence. The phrase 'his glory is above the earth and heaven' encompasses all creation within God's domain. In post-exilic Judaism, when Israel lacked political independence and control of geography, asserting that God's glory transcends and rules all earth and heaven provided spiritual sovereignty. The concept of God's 'name' (shem) carried juridical weight: God's name represented His character and authority. To praise God's name meant to acknowledge His true character and authority. During the Second Temple period, the temple was understood as the place where God's name dwelt (Deuteronomy 12:5), making praise at the temple or prayer directed toward the temple a form of honoring God's name.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that God's name 'alone is excellent' and what does this exclude?
  2. How does the assertion that God's glory is 'above the earth and heaven' relate to His sovereignty over all creation?
  3. Why does the psalm command geographical features to praise, and what function does this serve theologically?
  4. In what ways does recognizing that 'his glory is above the earth and heaven' challenge human attempts to contain or control God?
  5. How should the conviction that God's glory transcends geographical and political boundaries affect our prayer and worship across different locations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
יְהַלְל֤וּ׀1 of 12

“Let them praise”

H1984

to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make a show, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causativ

אֶת2 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁמ֣וֹ3 of 12

“for his name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

יְהוָ֗ה4 of 12

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

כִּֽי5 of 12
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

נִשְׂגָּ֣ב6 of 12

“alone is excellent”

H7682

to be (causatively, make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication, safe, strong; used literally and figuratively

שְׁמ֣וֹ7 of 12

“for his name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

לְבַדּ֑וֹ8 of 12
H905

properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief of a city; especially (with preposit

ה֝וֹד֗וֹ9 of 12

“his glory”

H1935

grandeur (i.e., an imposing form and appearance)

עַל10 of 12
H5921

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

אֶ֥רֶץ11 of 12

“is above the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְשָׁמָֽיִם׃12 of 12

“and heaven”

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

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 148:13 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 148:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 113:4Psalms 8:1Psalms 8:9Isaiah 12:4Psalms 99:3-4Isaiah 6:3

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