Psalms 108:5

Authorized King James Version

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Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;

Original Language Analysis

ר֣וּמָה Be thou exalted H7311
ר֣וּמָה Be thou exalted
Strong's: H7311
Word #: 1 of 8
to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 2 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שָׁמַ֣יִם above the heavens H8064
שָׁמַ֣יִם above the heavens
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 3 of 8
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
אֱלֹהִ֑ים O God H430
אֱלֹהִ֑ים O God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 4 of 8
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְעַ֖ל H5921
וְעַ֖ל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 5 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאָ֣רֶץ above all the earth H776
הָאָ֣רֶץ above all the earth
Strong's: H776
Word #: 7 of 8
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ׃ and thy glory H3519
כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ׃ and thy glory
Strong's: H3519
Word #: 8 of 8
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

Analysis & Commentary

This verse presents a prayer for God's manifest glory: 'Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens.' The word 'exalted' involves being lifted up, magnified, and acknowledged as supreme. 'Above the heavens' places God beyond all created order - transcendent over even the highest created realm. The parallel 'let thy glory be above all the earth' prays for God's glorious character and reputation to be recognized universally. This is both descriptive (God is already exalted) and prescriptive (praying for His glory to be acknowledged as such). The verse reflects a missionary impulse - a desire for God to be rightly honored everywhere. It also reflects proper theological perspective: worship centers on God's glory, not human experience. The prayer implicitly acknowledges that God's glory is currently contested or unrecognized, and longs for the day when every knee will bow (Philippians 2:10-11).

Historical Context

This verse appears in both Psalm 57:5 and 108:5, showing its liturgical significance. In the ancient worldview, 'the heavens' represented the height of creation, the dwelling place of celestial beings and the cosmic order. To pray for God to be exalted 'above the heavens' was to acknowledge His supremacy over all powers and principalities. In David's context, when Israel was surrounded by nations attributing victories to their gods (Chemosh for Moab, Dagon for Philistia, Baal for Canaanites), this prayer affirmed YHWH's absolute supremacy. During Israel's exile, when it appeared that Marduk of Babylon had defeated YHWH, such prayers maintained theological truth against political appearances. The prayer for God's glory 'above all the earth' envisions the day when His universal sovereignty would be manifest. This anticipates prophetic visions like Isaiah 6:3 ('the whole earth is full of his glory') and Habakkuk 2:14 ('the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD').

Questions for Reflection