The LORD is exalted over all the nations,
Psalm 113:4-6 NIV
his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the LORD our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,
who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?
How great is God? That is a question this psalm seeks to answer. It starts with a call for his servants to offer him praise. Praise now and forever and to the furthest extent of the earth. Wherever and whenever we are, we should praise him because he is worthy of it. The psalm closes with praise for what God does in caring for the most insignificant people in our world.
But here, in the heart of this psalm, the psalmist expresses the greatness of our God, that he is high above everything else in all creation. The most powerful nations today or in the past – he is greater. The glory of the heavens we see revealed – his glory is greater. His throne is on high. How high? He is so far above us that he has to stoop down to look at the heavens and the earth. This is metaphorical language. But it does illustrate how much greater he is than anything in the creation.
At the heart of this psalm is the question, “Who is like the Lord our God?” And the implied answer is that no one or thing even begins to compare with him. While he makes himself known to us in ways that we can understand, it is good for us to remember that he is much greater than we can begin to comprehend. He alone is worthy of our praise and honor. And it is always appropriate for us to offer him that praise. Wherever we are, whatever we are doing, whatever our circumstances, and whatever stage of life we are in. Praise the Lord!
