Psalm 57 5

Psalm 57:5 kjv

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

Psalm 57:5 nkjv

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

Psalm 57:5 niv

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

Psalm 57:5 esv

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

Psalm 57:5 nlt

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

Psalm 57 verses

Psalm 57 5 Meaning

Psalm 57:5 is a profound declaration and prayer for the universal recognition of God's supreme majesty. It expresses a fervent desire for the Almighty to be elevated above all creation, transcending every celestial body, and for His inherent honor, power, and essence to be manifestly evident and acknowledged across the entire earth. It serves as a doxology, a fervent praise acknowledging God's unique sovereignty and the worshiper's desire for His renown to extend boundlessly.

Psalm 57 5 Context

Psalm 57 is titled "A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave." This superscription points to the historical context found in 1 Samuel chapters 22 and 24, where David sought refuge in a cave while being relentlessly pursued by King Saul, who sought his life. Despite being in a life-threatening situation, surrounded by enemies who were plotting his destruction (v. 4), David begins the psalm with a plea for mercy and refuge under God's wings (v. 1). However, he rapidly transitions from lament and distress to an expression of unwavering trust and determined praise. Verse 5 (repeated as verse 11) is a pivotal doxology within the psalm. It is a declaration of confidence that God's deliverance will not only benefit David personally but will ultimately serve a grander purpose: the universal display and recognition of God's own glory. This powerful declaration shifts the focus from David's personal peril to God's cosmic supremacy and impending manifestation.

Psalm 57 5 Word analysis

• Be exalted (רוּם - rum): The Hebrew word rum literally means "to be high, rise up, be lifted up." Here, it carries the sense of being elevated, magnified, or glorified. It's often used in a declarative sense for God's inherent, unchanging elevated state, but in this context, it functions also as a petition or fervent desire that God's ultimate supremacy be recognized and manifest to all. It's not about making God higher (for He already is supreme), but about the desire for His exaltedness to be fully known and proclaimed. This stands in contrast to earthly powers and fleeting human glory.
• O God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): This is a general plural noun for God, often used in contexts emphasizing His power, creator role, and general deity. It underscores His sovereignty and distinction from all other beings, real or imagined. In a context of peril, invoking Elohim emphasizes reliance on the all-powerful Divine Judge and Deliverer.
• above the heavens (עַל שָׁמַיִם - 'al shamayim): Literally "upon the heavens" or "over the heavens." This phrase denotes absolute transcendence. It signifies that God is not merely in the heavens, but supremely above them, illustrating His authority, majesty, and uncreated nature. It implies His power over the cosmic order, stars, and celestial beings. This also subtly challenges pagan worldviews where deities were often tied to celestial bodies but not inherently above them.
• Let your glory (כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ - k'vodekha): "Your glory." The Hebrew kavod (glory) connotes weight, honor, importance, and splendor. It signifies the visible manifestation of God's essence, His attributes, and His majestic presence. It's the radiance of His being and power. The phrasing is a volitional expression, a fervent plea or confident declaration for God's glory to become widely apparent.
• be over all the earth (עַל כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ - 'al kol ha'aretz): Literally "upon all the earth." This indicates a universal scope, extending beyond Israel or specific lands. It reflects the psalmist's longing for God's supreme nature and honor, which already exists above the heavens, to be visibly and universally recognized by every inhabitant of the globe. This polemicizes against the limited jurisdiction of pagan gods, who were typically associated with particular regions or peoples, asserting that the God of Israel is the true and sole universal sovereign.

Words-Group analysis:

• "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!": This clause primarily speaks of God's transcendent glory. It's a statement of His intrinsic, unchanging nature as utterly supreme and sovereign over all creation, even the highest realms. It acts as both an adoration of what God already is and a prayer for this truth to be affirmed and seen by all. It establishes His cosmic position as uniquely ultimate, above all principalities and powers.
• "Let your glory be over all the earth!": This clause focuses on God's immanent glory, requesting its manifestation and recognition here on earth. While His glory is eternally above the heavens, the psalmist desires its visible expression and acknowledgment throughout the entire world. This connects God's sovereign power to human experience and world affairs, implying that God's actions (like David's deliverance) serve to reveal His greatness to all nations. This desire for global acknowledgment is foundational to God's plan of salvation history.

Psalm 57 5 Bonus section

• Inclusio: The repetition of Psalm 57:5 at the end of the psalm as 57:11 forms a powerful literary device called inclusio, or "bookending." This highlights the theological core of the psalm: despite intense suffering, God's ultimate exaltation and global glory are assured and become the central theme around which the entire lament and plea revolve. It reinforces David's steadfast faith.
• Messianic Foreshadowing: The longing for God's glory to be "over all the earth" finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Person of Jesus Christ. As the Son, He is the radiance of God's glory (Heb 1:3), and through His redemptive work, God's name is glorified among all nations (Matt 28:19). The prayer for global glory points towards the future reign of God's Anointed King.
• Miktam: The title "Miktam" is of uncertain meaning, possibly signifying "golden" or "engraved psalm," suggesting its precious and enduring spiritual value. It implies a psalm worthy of deep reflection and permanence, resonating with the everlasting nature of God's glory.

Psalm 57 5 Commentary

Psalm 57:5 encapsulates a magnificent paradox: amidst personal danger and an urgent plea for deliverance, David shifts his focus from his immediate peril to the eternal purpose of God's glory. It’s a confession that transcends the present trial, acknowledging God's supreme transcendence "above the heavens" while fervently praying for His immanent glory to be displayed "over all the earth." The repetition of this verse (in 57:11 and 108:5) highlights its pivotal nature, emphasizing that divine deliverance is not merely for the comfort of the individual, but for the universal recognition and exaltation of God's name. It reminds us that our most profound personal trials can become catalysts for God's glory to be made visible to a wider audience, transforming individual experience into a universal testimony of God's power and faithfulness. This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers to magnify God's name in every circumstance, allowing our trials to be platforms for His universal praise.