Psalm 57 11

Psalm 57:11 kjv

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

Psalm 57:11 nkjv

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.

Psalm 57:11 niv

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

Psalm 57:11 esv

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!

Psalm 57:11 nlt

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth.

Psalm 57 verses

Psalm 57 11 Meaning

Psalm 57:11 is a powerful doxological declaration and an earnest prayer expressing God's supreme exaltation and the universal spread of His glory. It declares that God is to be highly honored and lifted up, transcending all creation, with His manifest presence and splendor filling and being recognized across the entire earth. It reiterates a deep theological truth about God's omnipresence and His ultimate renown.

Psalm 57 11 Context

Psalm 57 is a Michtam of David, written when he fled from Saul into the cave (likely Adullam or Engedi, referenced in 1 Sam 22:1 or 1 Sam 24:3). It is a psalm of profound distress and refuge, yet it transitions powerfully from lament to unwavering confidence and praise. David expresses his desperate plea for God's mercy and protection from his enemies (v. 1-4). However, despite his immediate perilous situation, his focus quickly shifts from personal tribulation to the transcendent glory of God (v. 5-7). Verse 11, identical to verse 5, acts as an inclusio, bookending the psalm's central declaration of praise and reinforcing the theme of God's universal exaltation and renown. Even in a cave, David lifts his eyes beyond his circumstances to the ultimate reality of God's sovereign majesty, anticipating a time when this glory is manifest to all. This context highlights radical faith, trusting in God's universal dominion even when personal circumstances are dire.

Psalm 57 11 Word analysis

• "Be exalted": The Hebrew verb is רוּם (rūm), meaning "to be high," "to be lifted up," or "to be exalted." It often denotes elevation in rank, honor, or power. When applied to God, it signifies His supreme majesty and transcendence above all created things. It is both a declaration of His inherent loftiness and a prayer/command for Him to be recognized and glorified as such by all. This indicates God's rightful place of supreme honor and worship.

• "O God": The Hebrew word is אֱלֹהִים (`elohim), a general, plural-in-form, but singular-in-meaning noun for God, often emphasizing His power, creator role, and divine authority. Here, it addresses the supreme, sovereign God of Israel.

• "above the heavens": The Hebrew is עַל שָׁמַיִם (`al shāmayim). "Heavens" refers to the celestial sphere, the created cosmos beyond human reach. The phrase "above the heavens" expresses God's absolute transcendence and preeminence. His glory and majesty are not confined by creation but utterly surpass and tower over it. It signifies His dominion over the entire created order, even beyond our perceived boundaries.

• "let your glory": The Hebrew word for "glory" is כְּבוֹדְךָ (kᵉvôd'khā), literally "Your weightiness" or "Your splendor." It refers to God's inherent majesty, honor, manifested presence, and reputation. It's the visible manifestation of His divine essence and perfections. This phrase is a petition or a confident affirmation that God's intrinsic glory will be fully displayed and universally recognized.

• "be over all the earth": The Hebrew is עַל כָּל־הָאָרֶץ (`al kol-hā'ārets). "Earth" refers to the entire planet, encompassing all nations, peoples, and geographical expanse. This phrase signifies the universal scope of God's glory and dominion. It's a declaration that God's majesty and sovereign reign will not be limited to a specific place or people but will be known, acknowledged, and will cover the entirety of creation.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Be exalted, O God": This phrase functions as a direct address and an impassioned plea or declaration of worship. It's a central theme in doxologies, highlighting the proper posture of humanity before the divine, which is one of reverence and lifting God to His rightful supreme position.
  • "above the heavens, let your glory be over all the earth": This parallelism highlights both God's transcendence and His universal immanence (or the universal impact of His presence). It proclaims that God's glory is not merely somewhere up there in the heavens, but also actively covers and will fully permeate the entire earth. This speaks to His supreme control over all creation and the future realization of His universal kingdom, where every knee will bow and every tongue confess His glory.

Psalm 57 11 Bonus section

The repetition of this specific phrase in Ps 57:5 and Ps 57:11, as well as its appearance in Ps 108:5 (which combines elements from Ps 57 and Ps 60), indicates its significant liturgical and theological weight. It likely served as a congregational refrain or a central doxology for the people of Israel. This double declaration strengthens the theological conviction, emphasizing that despite any temporary setbacks or personal tribulations (as experienced by David), God's glory and supreme exaltation remain an ultimate reality and an unwavering hope. It represents an eschatological aspiration for the day when all creation will unequivocally recognize God's dominion and the knowledge of His glory will truly fill the earth, a theme picked up consistently by the prophets. The Michtam designation itself suggests a "golden psalm" or a "maskil," possibly hinting at its deep spiritual insight and instruction on navigating suffering with praise.

Psalm 57 11 Commentary

Psalm 57:11, an exact repetition of verse 5, serves as a theological anchor within a psalm born of acute personal suffering. It reveals David's remarkable ability to shift from a focus on his present danger to an ultimate perspective on God's unchanging and supreme glory. The verse is both a prayer and a confident declaration, reflecting a deeply rooted faith that understands God's inherent majesty. It demands that God be honored and lifted up "above the heavens," transcending all creation, asserting His unchallengeable authority and sovereignty. Concurrently, it insists that this transcendent "glory" – His radiant presence, renown, and splendor – be "over all the earth." This speaks to the future realization of a world where God's name and character are universally acknowledged and celebrated. This declaration implies not just a physical presence but a pervasive knowledge and adoration of God. For believers, it serves as a powerful reminder to lift eyes beyond personal trials and temporal circumstances to the enduring, universal reign of God, actively praying and striving for His glory to be known across the globe, understanding that His praise is our highest purpose.