Psalm 113 3

Psalm 113:3 kjv

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3 nkjv

From the rising of the sun to its going down The LORD's name is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3 niv

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.

Psalm 113:3 esv

From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!

Psalm 113:3 nlt

Everywhere ? from east to west ?
praise the name of the LORD.

Psalm 113 3 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Psa 50:1The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.God's universal summoning and authority.
Mal 1:11"For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations..."Prophetic fulfillment of universal praise.
Isa 45:6"...that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me..."God's sole divinity recognized globally.
Psa 19:1-6The heavens declare the glory of God... Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words...Creation's testimony to God's universal glory.
Phil 2:9-11Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name...Jesus' exalted name, every knee bowing.
Psa 72:19Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!Prayer for God's glory to fill the earth.
Psa 145:2-3Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised...Daily, continuous, and boundless praise.
Exod 3:15God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers...’ This is my name forever..."The eternality and significance of YHWH's name.
Isa 12:4And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name... proclaim his excellencies among the peoples...”Universal proclamation of God's name.
Zeph 3:9“For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the LORD...”Future global worship of YHWH.
Rev 5:13And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all therein, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”Universal cosmic worship of God and the Lamb.
Rom 15:11And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him."Paul quoting Psalms for Gentile inclusion in praise.
1 Chr 16:23-24Sing to the LORD, all the earth!... Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!Global call to praise and proclaim God.
John 1:4-5In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.Jesus as the true, universally spreading light.
John 8:12Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness..."Jesus' universal significance as light.
Job 9:7who commands the sun, and it does not rise...God's sovereignty even over the sun.
Jer 10:13When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens... He makes lightnings for the rain...God's creative power over natural phenomena.
Psa 90:2Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.God's eternal nature, predating creation.
Isa 63:16For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father...Emphasizes the unique and personal name of YHWH.
Psa 103:1Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!Intimate, heartfelt praise of God's holy name.

Psalm 113 verses

Psalm 113 3 Meaning

Psalm 113:3 declares that the divine name of the LORD (YHWH) is worthy of praise without geographical or temporal boundaries. This verse calls for continuous and universal acclamation of God’s character and identity, encompassing every place where the sun shines, from its eastern rising to its western setting. It proclaims that the praise due to the unique, covenant-keeping God of Israel is boundless, encompassing all of time and space, reflecting His transcendent glory and supreme worth above all.

Psalm 113 3 Context

Psalm 113 is the first of the Hallel psalms (Psalms 113-118), a collection of praise psalms traditionally sung by Jews during major festivals such as Passover, Pentecost (Shavuot), and the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). It is a call to worship, urging all servants of the LORD to praise His name. This psalm highlights the paradox of God's majesty: He is exalted far above all nations and the heavens (vv. 4-6), yet He "condescends" to look upon the lowly and raises the poor from the dust (vv. 7-9). Verse 3 serves as a declaration of the expansive and perpetual nature of the praise that this transcendent and immanent God deserves. Its context implies that the people of Israel, being the recipients of God's grace, are uniquely called to lead this universal praise, a praise that should fill every corner of the world and every moment of time. The verse indirectly opposes localized or limited deities, common in the ancient world, by asserting the limitless dominion and worth of YHWH.

Psalm 113 3 Word analysis

  • From the rising of the sun: (מִמִּזְרַח שֶׁמֶשׁ - mi-mizraḥ shemesh). This phrase denotes the east, the place where the sun begins its daily journey. It represents the point of origin, the start of a new day, and geographically, one extreme of the earth. Its inclusion sets the boundless scope of the praise.
  • to its setting: (עַד מְבוֹאוֹ - ʿad mevoʾo). This refers to the west, where the sun descends. Paired with "from the rising," this creates a literary device called a merism, which means "all-inclusive" or "everywhere" and "all the time." It emphasizes the universal, unceasing nature of the praise: throughout the entire globe and continuously through every hour of the day. It also implies that the limited journey of the sun pales in comparison to the limitless reach of God's glory.
  • the name: (שֵׁם - shem). In Hebrew thought, a "name" represents the complete character, reputation, authority, and presence of a person. To praise God's "name" is to praise everything that He is, as revealed in His attributes, actions, and nature. It signifies His divine essence and distinction from all other beings or deities.
  • of the LORD: (יְהוָה - YHWH). This is the personal, covenantal, and proper name of God, revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:14-15). It conveys God's self-existence, eternal being, faithfulness to His promises, and redemptive power. The use of this specific name asserts that only this particular God, YHWH, the God of Israel, is worthy of such boundless praise, distinguishing Him from any local or false gods.
  • is to be praised: (מְהֻלָּל - mehulal). This is a Hophal participle from the root halal (הָלַל), meaning "to praise, to shine, to boast, to commend." The Hophal stem indicates a passive sense: "He is to be praised" or "He is made glorious." This emphasizes that praise is due to Him, fitting His character and actions, and is a response from His creation. It also implies a continuous, deserved, and public extolling of His glory. From halal we get the word Hallelujah ("Praise the LORD").
  • From the rising of the sun to its setting: This comprehensive phrase is a hyperbole used as a merism. It expresses total geographical expanse and temporal duration. It transcends the limitations of human activity or specific locations of worship, indicating that all peoples, in all places, at all times, should render praise. This stands as a polemic against ancient, localized polytheism; the God of Israel is not confined to one territory or one people.
  • the name of the LORD is to be praised: This central declaration establishes the divine recipient and the required response. The focus is not on human effort alone, but on God's inherent worth. His very being, encapsulated in His "name," compels and demands universal praise. It’s a foundational statement about His unrivaled sovereignty and deserved worship.

Psalm 113 3 Bonus section

Psalm 113:3 highlights a crucial aspect of biblical theology: God's ultimate distinctness and singular nature (monotheism). In a world filled with pagan gods associated with specific regions or phenomena (like a sun god), this verse deliberately takes a common, daily observation (the sun's journey) and transforms it into a testament to the one true God, YHWH, who orchestrates the sun's path and whose glory is limitless, far exceeding the sun's apparent reach. It implicitly challenges idolatry by redirecting attention from creation (the sun) to the Creator. As part of the Hallel, this verse's recitation was intended to inspire the Israelite community to embody this universal praise, understanding their calling as stewards of His glory to the nations.

Psalm 113 3 Commentary

Psalm 113:3 acts as a powerful statement affirming God’s absolute supremacy and the universality of the worship due to Him. It's not merely a poetic flourish but a theological declaration that God’s glory and the honor owed to His very character ('name') are not bound by time or space. The phrase "from the rising of the sun to its setting" conveys a comprehensive sweep, encompassing all lands and all hours, suggesting that there is no moment or place where God's name is not worthy of glorification. This verse counters the notion of regional deities or gods with limited dominion; it firmly declares the global sovereignty and unmatched nature of YHWH, the self-existent God of the covenant. Consequently, praise to the LORD is a ceaseless, pervasive duty and privilege for all His creation, recognizing Him as the singular, all-encompassing sovereign.