Psalm 95 3

Psalm 95:3 kjv

For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Psalm 95:3 nkjv

For the LORD is the great God, And the great King above all gods.

Psalm 95:3 niv

For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.

Psalm 95:3 esv

For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Psalm 95:3 nlt

For the LORD is a great God,
a great King above all gods.

Psalm 95 verses

Psalm 95 3 Meaning

Psalm 95:3 proclaims the absolute, incomparable supremacy of God. It declares that Yahweh is not merely great among deities, but He is the uniquely great God and the supreme King, exalted above all other entities or perceived powers referred to as "gods." This verse provides the fundamental reason and foundation for the joyous call to worship presented in the preceding verses of the Psalm, asserting His inherent majesty, sovereign rule, and singular position.

Psalm 95 3 Context

Psalm 95 begins with an ardent invitation to worship and joyful praise (vv. 1-2). Verse 3 serves as the primary theological justification for this call, presenting fundamental truths about the God of Israel. It lays the groundwork by declaring His intrinsic greatness and unparalleled sovereignty. The verses immediately following (vv. 4-5) expand on this declaration, detailing His dominion over creation as further proof of His greatness and unique power. The latter part of Psalm 95 (vv. 7-11) shifts to a somber warning against stubbornness, contrasting the faithfulness of God with the disobedience of His people in the wilderness, thereby showing the necessary response to such a great and powerful God. Historically, the assertion of God's greatness "above all gods" was a crucial statement in the polytheistic context of the Ancient Near East, where surrounding nations worshipped numerous deities, each associated with different aspects of life or regions. The Psalmist emphatically declares the incomparability and sole supremacy of Yahweh against these widespread pagan beliefs.

Psalm 95 3 Word analysis

• For: (Hebrew: kî) This particle introduces a causal clause, providing the reason or justification for the preceding exhortation to worship. It signals that the following declaration explains why the assembly should worship and rejoice in the Lord.
• the LORD: (Hebrew: Yahweh, YHWH) This is God's covenant and personal name, emphasizing His active, faithful presence and self-revelation to Israel. It distinguishes Him from the generic title "God" and identifies Him as the specific deity with whom Israel has a unique relationship and who demonstrated His power throughout their history. This name implies His eternal, unchangeable nature.
• is: The implied verb to be in Hebrew emphasizes continuous reality, eternal truth, and absolute identification. It means He inherently possesses this quality; it is His very nature.
• a great God: (Hebrew: El Gadol - אֵל גָּדוֹל)
  • El: A common, generic Semitic term for 'God' or 'deity,' indicating divine power or might. Here, combined with Yahweh, it emphasizes the absolute divine nature of the God of Israel.
  • Gadol: Meaning "great," "mighty," "powerful," "large," "vast." It conveys His immense power, vastness, majesty, significance, and sovereignty. This greatness encompasses His power over all creation and His unmatchable being.
• and a great King: (Hebrew: Melech Gadol - מֶלֶךְ גָּדוֹל)
  • Melech: Refers to a 'King,' denoting rule, authority, and sovereign power.
  • Gadol: Again, "great," reinforcing His supreme dominion. As "a great King," God's authority extends over all earthly and heavenly realms, establishing Him as the ultimate ruler of the universe. This aspect implies not only His power but also His rightful governance and universal dominion.
• above all gods: (Hebrew: al kol-elohim - עַל כָּל-אֱלֹהִים)
  • al: Meaning "above," "over," indicating supremacy, superiority, and preeminence.
  • kol: Meaning "all," signifying totality and comprehensive dominion.
  • elohim: While sometimes referring to true God, judges, or angelic beings, in this context it most clearly refers to the multitude of pagan deities worshipped by surrounding nations. The phrase is a polemical declaration against polytheism, asserting that Yahweh’s power and authority are incomparably superior to, and indeed nullify, the claims of any rival "gods" or spiritual powers. It highlights His singular uniqueness and sovereign control.

Psalm 95 3 Bonus section

The emphasis on "Yahweh" as opposed to just "El" in this verse subtly underscores God's personal engagement and covenant faithfulness. It reminds the worshippers that this supreme God is not distant or abstract, but the very One who has historically revealed Himself to Israel, rescued them, and bound Himself to them through covenant. This adds a relational dimension to His vastness and authority. The Psalm, therefore, calls for worship rooted not only in abstract acknowledgment of God's power but also in a lived experience of His saving acts. Moreover, this declaration sets the stage for a warning in the latter half of Psalm 95; knowing that "the LORD is a great God" implies profound accountability and requires faithful obedience, not the hardness of heart seen in the wilderness generation. This verse thus serves as both an invitation to joyful praise and a sobering reminder of who it is we are accountable to.

Psalm 95 3 Commentary

Psalm 95:3 articulates the core reason for heartfelt worship: the absolute character of God. The progression from "a great God" to "a great King" highlights two intertwined aspects of His divine nature: His intrinsic deity and His sovereign rule. As "a great God," Yahweh possesses immeasurable power, infinite wisdom, and unparalleled majesty that distinguish Him from all other beings or concepts of deity. This greatness is not merely qualitative; it is quantitative in its comprehensive reach. His power encompasses the entire created order, as the subsequent verses of the Psalm confirm (Ps 95:4-5), portraying Him as the supreme architect and owner of everything.

Following this, the declaration that He is "a great King" affirms His ultimate authority and dominion. This signifies that His greatness extends into active, governing rule over all creation and every existing entity. Unlike human kings whose dominion is limited, God's kingship is universal and absolute, signifying that He orchestrates all things according to His divine will and purpose. The concluding phrase, "above all gods," directly confronts the polytheistic worldview prevalent in the ancient world. It is a powerful theological statement affirming the uniqueness of Yahweh. It asserts that whatever "gods" others may conceptualize or worship, they hold no actual power, authority, or claim in comparison to Him. Rather, they are impotent idols or lesser spiritual powers entirely subservient to the one true God. This foundational truth demands an exclusive, fervent worship and underscores the secure reign of God over all aspects of existence. Understanding this divine supremacy prompts humble adoration and trust, for there is no power or entity that can withstand His decree.