For the LORDis great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.
The Lord is great and greatly to be praised, worthy of abundant praise for who He is. He is to be feared and revered above all gods, above every other god. The reason is the contrast set out in the next verse: the gods of the peoples and nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens, and that gives reason to praise and honor Him. As Creator He is entitled to the glory due His name, to be given to Him with praise, fear, reverence, honor, and love. Human beings owe Him this worship because they are His creatures, the work of His hands.
True followers of Jesus Christ show supreme love to God in this way. Sinless angels surrounding His throne bow down and adore Him as the example. Fearing Him means seeking to honor and glorify Him and finding highest happiness in doing His will. Only willing obedience proves genuine love for Him, so any failure to render willing obedience shows that love for Him is false. This greatness grounds the call for all the earth to sing to Him, to proclaim His salvation, and to declare His glory and wonders among the nations.
The verse expresses grateful praise for the Lord's goodness. The beauty of nature can call forth this acknowledgment and lead the soul into communion with God. His goodness and the experience of His power and grace call forth wholehearted, joyful praise. His greatness calls for worshipers to sing songs of praise and give thanks for His wondrous works, while angels join their praise. Worship in God's house drives back Satan's power and cultivates love.
The verse is a reason to speak cheerfully and hopefully about God rather than complain or dwell on sorrow. Praising Him and expressing faith and hope glorifies God.
The Lord is great and greatly to be praised, worthy of abundant praise for who He is. He is to be feared and revered above all gods, above every other god. The reason is the contrast set out in the next verse: the gods of the peoples and nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens, and that gives reason to praise and honor Him. As Creator He is entitled to the glory due His name, to be given to Him with praise, fear, reverence, honor, and love. Human beings owe Him this worship because they are His creatures, the work of His hands.
True followers of Jesus Christ show supreme love to God in this way. Sinless angels surrounding His throne bow down and adore Him as the example. Fearing Him means seeking to honor and glorify Him and finding highest happiness in doing His will. Only willing obedience proves genuine love for Him, so any failure to render willing obedience shows that love for Him is false. This greatness grounds the call for all the earth to sing to Him, to proclaim His salvation, and to declare His glory and wonders among the nations.
The verse expresses grateful praise for the Lord's goodness. The beauty of nature can call forth this acknowledgment and lead the soul into communion with God. His goodness and the experience of His power and grace call forth wholehearted, joyful praise. His greatness calls for worshipers to sing songs of praise and give thanks for His wondrous works, while angels join their praise. Worship in God's house drives back Satan's power and cultivates love.
The verse is a reason to speak cheerfully and hopefully about God rather than complain or dwell on sorrow. Praising Him and expressing faith and hope glorifies God.