For the LORD is a great God
This phrase emphasizes the supremacy and majesty of the LORD, the covenant name of God, which is often rendered as Yahweh. The term "great God" underscores His unmatched power and authority. In the ancient Near Eastern context, gods were often associated with specific regions or functions, but the LORD is depicted as transcending all these limitations. This echoes Deuteronomy 10:17, where God is described as "God of gods and Lord of lords," highlighting His ultimate sovereignty. The greatness of God is a recurring theme in the Psalms, inviting worship and reverence from His people.

a great King above all gods
The imagery of God as a "great King" reflects the ancient understanding of kingship as a symbol of ultimate authority and governance. In the cultural context of the time, kings were seen as representatives of divine power on earth. By declaring the LORD as a "great King above all gods," the psalmist asserts His superiority over any other deities worshiped by surrounding nations. This is not merely a statement of monotheism but a declaration of the LORD's unrivaled dominion. The phrase also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as King of Kings (Revelation 19:16), who fulfills the role of divine ruler. The mention of "all gods" can be seen as a polemic against idolatry, affirming the LORD's unique position as the one true God, as seen in passages like Isaiah 44:6.

1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His people.

2. God (Elohim)
A term used to denote the supreme deity, emphasizing His power and majesty.

3. King
A title that signifies authority, sovereignty, and governance, highlighting God's supreme rule over all creation.

4. Gods
Refers to the false gods or idols worshiped by other nations, emphasizing the supremacy of Yahweh over all other deities.God's Supremacy
Recognize and affirm the LORD's supreme authority over all creation and other so-called gods.

Worship and Reverence
Our worship should reflect the greatness of God, acknowledging His unmatched power and majesty.

Rejecting Idolatry
In a world filled with distractions and false idols, we must remain steadfast in our devotion to the one true God.

God's Sovereignty in Our Lives
Trust in God's sovereign rule over our personal circumstances, knowing He is the great King above all.

Encouragement in Trials
In times of trouble, remember that the LORD, our great God, is in control and worthy of our trust and praise.(3) Above all gods.--Not here angelic beings, but the gods of surrounding tribes, as accurately explained in Psalm 96:4-5. (Comp. Exodus 15:11; Exodus 18:11.) Commentators vex themselves with the difficulty of the ascription of a real existence to these tribal deities in the expression," King above all gods." But how else was Israel constantly falling into the sin of worshipping them? It was in the inspired rejection of them as possessing any sovereign power, and in the recognition of Jehovah's supremacy shown by the psalmists and prophets, that the preservation of Israel's religion consisted.

Verse 3. - For the Lord is a great God. Thanks and praise are due to God, in the first place, because of his greatness (see Psalm cf. 2). "Who is so great a god as our God?" (Psalm 77:13); "His greatness is unsearchable" (Psalm 145:3). And a great King above all gods; i.e. "a goat King above all other so called gods" - above the great of the earth (Psalm 82:1, 6), above angels (Deuteronomy 10:17), above the imaginary gods of the heathen (Exodus 12:12, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


For
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is a great
גָּד֣וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

God,
אֵ֣ל (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

a great
גָּ֝ד֗וֹל (gā·ḏō·wl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

King
וּמֶ֥לֶךְ (ū·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

above
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

gods.
אֱלֹהִֽים׃ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative


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OT Poetry: Psalm 95:3 For Yahweh is a great God (Psalm Ps Psa.)