What Does Psalm 148:13 Mean in the King James?

Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.

Psalm 148:13 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The LORD’s name, his nature, is already above earth and heaven; praise gives voice to that height.

THE MEANING

The LORD’s nature stands above the whole created scale you can see and imagine: earth and heaven. Praise is your voice joining what is already true of that name. Its excellence does not depend on your ability to raise it.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the belief that praise is what makes God worthy or great; the verse places the LORD’s exalted nature before any voice answers.

THE ROOT

נִשְׂגָּב

nishgav

GROWS FROM

שגב

sagav

To be high or exalted; to set on high.

“excellent” in this verse is nishgav. The verse’s name (⁨שֵׁם⁩, shem, name as nature) is described as raised above all creation. This root also names a refuge that sets a person on high, so the name’s height carries both surpassing stature and shelter.

ALSO GROWS

yesagvekha: May he set you on high; defend you.

יְשַׂגֶּבְךָ

The same root appears in Psalm 20:1, where the name of the God of Jacob defends by setting the person in a high place.

misgav: High refuge; stronghold.

מִשְׂגָּב

This branch makes the root’s image of elevation a place of refuge, linking the LORD’s exalted name with protection.

יְהַלְלוּ

yehalelu

GROWS FROM

הלל

halal

To praise or celebrate.

“Let them praise” is yehalelu, from halal. ⁨תְּהִלָּה⁩ (tehillah, praise or song of praise) and ⁨הַלְלוּיָהּ⁩ (hallelu-yah, praise Yah) carry the same seed: the voices celebrate the one whose name is already lifted high.

ALSO GROWS

tehillah: Praise; a song of praise.

תְּהִלָּה

This branch shows praise taking shape as words or song that voice the LORD’s nature.

hallelu-yah: Praise Yah.

הַלְלוּיָהּ

The same praise-root is joined to Yah’s name, making explicit the connection between praise and the nature named.

THE PATTERN

The LORD’s name and glory stand above creation, and praise answers to that prior majesty.

The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Psalm 113:4 · KJVThe LORD’s height reaches above nations and heavens, as his name and glory do here.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

Isaiah 6:3 · KJVThe earth is filled with the glory that belongs to the LORD, giving creation’s praise a reality already present throughout it.

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

Revelation 15:4 · KJVAll nations glorify the LORD’s name because his nature stands apart and his judgments are made manifest.

THE THREAD

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee;

Psalm 20:1 · KJV

The word translated “defend” comes from the same root as “excellent”: ⁨שגב⁩ (sagav, to be high or set on high). The name exalted above earth and heaven is also the refuge that sets a person on high in trouble.

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