◄ Psalm 113:4 ►
The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens.
Study Bible
The LORD is exalted over all the nations
This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and supremacy of God over all earthly powers and kingdoms. In the biblical context, nations often represent human authority and power structures. The assertion that the LORD is exalted over all nations highlights His ultimate authority and control over the world, transcending any human government or empire. This is consistent with the biblical theme of God's dominion, as seen in passages like Psalm 47:8, which states, "God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne." Historically, this would have been a powerful reminder to Israel, surrounded by powerful empires like Egypt, Assyria, and Babylon, that their God was greater than any earthly ruler. It also foreshadows the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16), who will ultimately establish His reign over all nations.

His glory above the heavens
This phrase speaks to the transcendence and majesty of God, whose glory surpasses even the vastness of the heavens. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the heavens were often seen as the realm of the divine, a place of ultimate power and mystery. By stating that God's glory is above the heavens, the psalmist underscores the idea that God's majesty and splendor are beyond human comprehension and the natural world. This aligns with other scriptural affirmations of God's incomprehensible greatness, such as Isaiah 55:9, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." Theologically, this points to the concept of God's transcendence, a key attribute that distinguishes Him from His creation. It also reflects the New Testament revelation of Christ's divine nature, as seen in Colossians 1:16-17, where Christ is described as the one through whom all things were created and who holds all things together, further affirming His preeminence and glory.

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

2. Nations
Refers to all the peoples and countries of the world, highlighting God's sovereignty over all human affairs.

3. Heavens
The skies or the celestial realm, symbolizing the vastness and majesty of God's creation.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty
Recognize that God is sovereign over all nations and rulers. This truth should bring comfort and assurance, especially in times of political or social unrest.

Worship and Reverence
Since God's glory is above the heavens, our response should be one of worship and reverence. We are called to honor Him in our daily lives.

Global Perspective
Understanding that God is exalted over all nations encourages us to have a global perspective in our prayers and mission work, knowing that His authority extends to every corner of the earth.

Humility Before God
Acknowledge our place before an exalted God. This should lead us to humility, recognizing that our achievements and status are insignificant compared to His glory.

Hope in God's Reign
In a world that often seems chaotic, we can find hope in the truth that God reigns supreme. His plans and purposes will ultimately prevail.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's exaltation over the nations influence your view of current world events?

2. In what ways can you incorporate worship and reverence for God's glory into your daily routine?

3. How does the concept of God's sovereignty challenge or comfort you in your personal life?

4. What practical steps can you take to develop a more global perspective in your prayers and actions?

5. How can the truth of God's supreme authority help you cultivate humility in your relationships and endeavors?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 97:9
This verse also speaks of God's exaltation above all the earth and the heavens, reinforcing His supreme authority.

Philippians 2:9-11
These verses describe how God exalted Jesus, giving Him a name above every name, which parallels the theme of God's exaltation in Psalm 113:4.

Isaiah 6:1-3
Isaiah's vision of the Lord's glory filling the temple connects to the idea of God's glory being above the heavens.
Sermons
Highest Service and the Highest BeingHomilistPsalm 113:1-9
People
Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Glory, Heavens, Higher, Honour, Nations
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 113:4

     1145   God, transcendent

Psalm 113:3-6

     1110   God, present everywhere

Library
Boniface, Apostle of the Germans.
BONIFACE, or Winfried, as they called him in Anglo-Saxon, born at Crediton in Devonshire, in 680, deserves to be honoured as the father of the German Church, although he was by no means the first who brought the seeds of the Gospel to Germany. Many had already laboured before him; but the efforts which had been made here and there did not suffice to secure the endurance of Christianity amongst the many perils to which it was exposed. Christianity needs to be linked with firm ecclesiastical institutions, …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

The Consecration of Joy
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 34. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. 35. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord; on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
IT was the last, the great day of the Feast,' and Jesus was once more in the Temple. We can scarcely doubt that it was the concluding day of the Feast, and not, as most modern writers suppose, its Octave, which, in Rabbinic language, was regarded as a festival by itself.' [3987] [3988] But such solemn interest attaches to the Feast, and this occurrence on its last day, that we must try to realise the scene. We have here the only Old Testament type yet unfilfilled; the only Jewish festival which has …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic Teaching.
It was probably on one of those mountain-ranges, which stretch to the north of Capernaum, that Jesus had spent the night of lonely prayer, which preceded the designation of the twelve to the Apostolate. As the soft spring morning broke, He called up those who had learned to follow Him, and from among them chose the twelve, who were to be His Ambassadors and Representatives. [2500] [2501] But already the early light had guided the eager multitude which, from all parts, had come to the broad level …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Vehicles of Revelation; Scripture, the Church, Tradition.
(a) The supreme and unique revelation of God to man is in the Person of the Incarnate Son. But though unique the Incarnation is not solitary. Before it there was the divine institution of the Law and the Prophets, the former a typical anticipation (de Incarn. 40. 2) of the destined reality, and along with the latter (ib. 12. 2 and 5) for all the world a holy school of the knowledge of God and the conduct of the soul.' After it there is the history of the life and teaching of Christ and the writings …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

Messiah's Easy Yoke
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. T hough the influence of education and example, may dispose us to acknowledge the Gospel to be a revelation from God; it can only be rightly understood, or duly prized, by those persons who feel themselves in the circumstances of distress, which it is designed to relieve. No Israelite would think of fleeing to a city of refuge (Joshua 20:2. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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