Psalm 113:5 kjv
Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
Psalm 113:5 nkjv
Who is like the LORD our God, Who dwells on high,
Psalm 113:5 niv
Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high,
Psalm 113:5 esv
Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,
Psalm 113:5 nlt
Who can be compared with the LORD our God,
who is enthroned on high?
Psalm 113 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 15:11 | Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? ...majestic in holiness... | God's incomparability and holiness. |
| Deut 33:26 | There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens... | Unique in majesty and power. |
| 1 Sam 2:2 | There is none holy like the Lord...nor is there any rock like our God. | God's absolute holiness and reliability. |
| 1 Kgs 8:23 | O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or... | God is unmatched in creation. |
| Ps 7:7 | O Lord, You sit enthroned on high. | God's exalted throne. |
| Ps 11:4 | The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven... | God's heavenly throne and omniscience. |
| Ps 89:6-8 | For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? ...greatly to be feared... | No one in heaven compares to God. |
| Ps 93:1 | The Lord reigns; He is clothed with majesty...firmly established. | God's reign and majestic power. |
| Ps 97:9 | For You, O Lord, are Most High over all the earth; You are exalted... | God's supremacy over the whole earth. |
| Ps 103:19 | The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules.. | God's universal reign. |
| Ps 139:7-8 | Where shall I go from Your Spirit? ...if I make my bed in Sheol, behold... | God's omnipresence extends from heaven. |
| Isa 40:18 | To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with Him? | No idol or creation can compare to God. |
| Isa 40:22 | It is He who sits above the circle of the earth... | God's transcendence above creation. |
| Isa 40:25 | To whom then will you compare Me, that I would be His equal? says the Holy | God's unapproachable uniqueness. |
| Isa 57:15 | For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity... | God as the "High and Lofty One." |
| Jer 10:6-7 | There is none like You, O Lord; You are great...king of the nations. | God is supreme among all nations. |
| Dan 4:34-35 | His dominion is an everlasting dominion...do what He pleases. | God's eternal and sovereign dominion. |
| Mal 1:14 | For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and My name is to be feared.. | God as the Great King, to be reverenced. |
| Matt 5:34 | ...swear not at all: neither by heaven; for it is God's throne. | Heaven as God's dwelling place. |
| Eph 1:20-22 | ...He seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all.. | Christ's exalted position, reflecting God's. |
| Col 1:16-17 | For by Him all things were created...He is before all things, and in Him... | Christ's preeminence, reflecting God's sovereignty. |
| Heb 1:3 | He is the radiance of the glory of God...He has sat down at the right hand.. | Christ seated on high with God. |
Psalm 113 verses
Psalm 113 5 Meaning
Psalm 113:5 asks a rhetorical question: Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high? This verse proclaims the absolute uniqueness and supreme transcendence of the God of Israel. It declares that no one, nothing, and no entity can be compared to Him in majesty, power, or authority because He occupies the highest and most exalted position, ruling over all creation from His throne. This statement asserts His unrivaled sovereignty and distinct nature above all gods and human authorities.
Psalm 113 5 Context
Psalm 113 is the first of the Hallel psalms (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung by Jewish people during major feasts such as Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot. These psalms begin with an invocation to "Praise the Lord!" (Hallelujah!) and celebrate God's nature and actions.
Verse 5 flows from the declaration of God's glory "above all nations, His glory above the heavens" (v. 4). It initiates a paradox central to the psalm: a God so incomparably exalted (v. 5) nevertheless humbles Himself to look down upon the lowly (v. 6) and lift the poor (vv. 7-9). This verse primarily focuses on God's transcendence—His absolute separation and superiority from creation, emphasizing His unmatched position and power before delving into His condescending love for humanity. The rhetorical question also serves as a polemic against any competing deities or earthly rulers, affirming the singular truth of Yahweh's reign.
Psalm 113 5 Word analysis
- Who is like: Hebrew Mi kamo (מִי כָמֹה) – This is a rhetorical question, characteristic of Hebrew poetry, that implies a resounding "no one." It strongly emphasizes God's absolute uniqueness and incomparability. It suggests a lack of parallel or peer, setting God apart from all other beings, real or imagined. This linguistic structure often appears when asserting divine singularity.
- the Lord: Hebrew Yahweh (יְהוָה) – This is God's covenant name, revealing His self-existent, eternal nature. Its use signifies a personal, relational God who makes Himself known, yet remains utterly distinct and sovereign. It connects the "seated on high" majesty to the God who acts in history for His people.
- our God: Hebrew Eloheinu (אֱלֹהֵינוּ) – "Our mighty God." This combines the generic term for God (Elohim), signifying power and authority, with a first-person plural possessive suffix, establishing a specific, covenantal relationship between this exalted God and His people. It highlights that this incomparably high God is intimately connected to them.
- who is seated: Hebrew hayyošeb (הַיּוֹשֵׁב) – This is a present participle, conveying a continuous state or an ongoing action. It depicts God as permanently enthroned, not merely having sat down. This portrays His stable, unchanging reign, majesty, and judicial authority. It implies a settled and unchallenged position of rulership.
- on high: Hebrew lammārôm (לַמָּרוֹם) – Literally "to the height" or "on the heights." This describes the transcendent dwelling place and exalted position of God. It signifies supreme elevation beyond all created things, far above earthly heavens and any human conception of power or dominion. It speaks to God's ultimate supremacy, indicating His absolute separation from and dominion over all that is earthly and created, further distinguishing Him from finite gods or rulers confined to specific domains.
Psalm 113 5 Bonus section
The depiction of God "seated on high" can be understood in multiple ways beyond mere physical location: it implies a state of being in supreme authority, observing all things with full knowledge and absolute power. It highlights God's unapproachable holiness and immense scale, dwarfing all earthly existence and every other being claiming power. This verse serves as a foundational declaration of monotheism and the sole legitimate object of worship for ancient Israel and for all believers. It prepares the reader for the shocking and profound humility of this same great God, who lowers Himself to care for His creation.
Psalm 113 5 Commentary
Psalm 113:5 presents God as transcendent beyond human comprehension, existing in a realm of unparalleled majesty and authority. The rhetorical question "Who is like the Lord our God?" brooks no argument, asserting His singular nature above all lesser gods, idols, or human rulers. His permanent dwelling "on high" emphasizes His unwavering sovereignty, His eternal perspective, and His utter freedom from earthly limitations. This high dwelling is not merely a spatial location but a symbolic representation of His unchallengeable power and glorious supremacy. This declaration sets the stage for the next verse, which reveals the astonishing truth that such an infinitely exalted God condescends to observe and interact with His creation, particularly caring for the humble and downtrodden. This paradox of transcendence leading to immanence is the profound heart of the psalm's message.