Psalms 113:5
in Psalms 113Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high?
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Who is like unto Jehovah our God, That hath his seat on high,
KJV
Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
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This verse in Psalms 113
Commentary
11 notes on this verseAnother psalm that was read says, "Who is as the Lord our God who dwells on high and looks down on the low things in heaven and in earth?" God, no doubt, casts his eyes on the lowly, he who laid bare the relics of the holy martyrs of his church, lying hid under the lowly turf, their souls in heaven, their bodies in the earth: "Raising up the needy person out of the dust, lifting up the poor person out of the dunghill," placing him, as you see, with the princes of his people.
This site's exposition
exalted over all the nations
on Psalms 113:4-6
Exalted over all the nations, the LORD has His glory above the heavens. Verse 5 asks who is like Him, and verse 6 answers: the One enthroned on high humbles Himself to look at the heavens and earth. Verse 7 turns that stooping into lifting.
This site's exposition
Who is like the LORD our God
The question echoes the song at the sea, where Exodus 15:11 asks who among the gods is like the LORD. Spurgeon called it a challenge that stands unanswered, since His godhead belongs to Him alone. Verse 4 set His glory above the heavens.
The record, by era
The Church Fathers1 voice
"Who is like unto the Lord our God, that hath His dwelling so high; and yet beholdeth the humble?" (ver. 5). Any one would think that He dwelleth in the lofty heavens, whence He may behold the humble things on earth; but "He beholdeth the humble things that are in heaven and earth" (ver. 6): what then is His high dwelling, whence He beholdeth the humble things that are in heaven and earth? Are the humble things He beholdeth His own high dwelling itself? For He thus exalteth the humble, so as not to make them proud. He therefore both dwelleth in those whom He raiseth high, and maketh them heaven for Himself, that is, His own abode; and by seeing them not proud, but constantly subject to Himself, He beholdeth even in heaven itself these very humble things, in whom raised on high He dwelleth. For the Spirit thus speaketh through Isaiah: "Thus saith the Highest that dwelleth on high, that inhabiteth eternity; the Lord Most High, dwelling in the holy." He hath expounded what He meant by dwelling on high, by the more full expression, "dwelling in the holy."...
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
Who is like unto the Lord our God,....
We are, in our praises, to exalt his name, for he is high, his glory is high. (1.) High above all nations, their kings though ever so pompous, their people though ever so numerous.
The Nineteenth Century2 voices
Who is like unto the Lord our God? The challenge will never be answered. None can be compared with him for an instant; Israel's God is without parallel; our own God in covenant stands alone, and none can be likened unto him. Even those whom he has made like himself in some respects are not like him in godhead, for his divine attributes are many of them incommunicable and inimitable.
A commentator
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown1802–1910
Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)
proposed
God's exaltation enhances His condescension; 7, 8. which condescension is illustrated as often in raising the worthy poor and needy to honor (compare 1Sa 2:8;
quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens
3 more voices on this verse
The Nineteenth Century3 voices
Who is like unto the Lord our God? The challenge will never be answered. None can be compared with him for an instant; Israel's God is without parallel; our own God in covenant stands alone, and none can be likened unto him. Even those whom he has made like himself in some respects are not like him in godhead, for his divine attributes are many of them incommunicable and inimitable. None of the metaphors and figures by which the Lord is set forth in the Scriptures can give us a complete idea of him; his full resemblance is borne by nothing in earth or in heaven. Only in Jesus is the Godhead seen, but he unhesitatingly declared "he that hath seen me hath seen the Father." Who dwelleth on high. In the height of his abode none can be like him. His throne, his whole character, his person, his being, everything about him, is lofty, and infinitely majestic, so that none can be likened unto him. His serene mind abides in the most elevated condition, he is never dishonoured, nor does he stoop from the pure holiness and absolute perfection of his character. His saints are said to dwell on high, and in this they are the reflection of his glory; but as for himself, the height of his dwelling place surpasses thought, and he rises far above the most exalted of his glorified people.
Who is like unto the Lord - Those who are highly exalted are generally unapproachable; they are proud and overbearing; or so surrounded with magnificence and flatterers, that to them the poor have no access; but God, though infinitely exalted, humbleth himself to behold even heaven itself, and much more does he humble himself when he condescends to behold earth and her inhabitants; (Psa 113:6). But so does he love his creatures that he rejoices over even the meanest of them to do them good.
A commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
proposed
Who is like unto the Lord our God? - Who can be compared with Yahweh our God? See the notes at Isa 40:17-25. The meaning is, that no creature - no idol - can be compared with Yahweh. The remark here has special reference to his attributes as immediately specified - his humbling himself to behold the things in heaven and in earth; his raising up the poor, etc. It is true “in general,” in regard to God, that no creature can be compared with him; it is true, in regard to each one of his attributes, that they are far above all created excellence. Who dwelleth on high - Margin, “exalteth himself to dwell.” Literally, “The one making high to sit.” The language is applicable to one who is seated on a lofty throne. Compare Psa 8:1. He has his dwelling - his throne - his permanent seat - in the heavens: so high and exalted that it requires infinite condescension to look upon the earth, or even upon the heavens.
The words behind it
5 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| מִ֭י | mi | who? | H4310 → | 423 times |
| כַּיהוָ֣ה | kayahweh | [is] like Yahweh | H3068 → | 6520 times |
| אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ | ʾeloheinu | God our | H430 → | 2601 times |
| הַֽמַּגְבִּיהִ֥י | hamagbihi | who is making high | H1361 → | 34 times |
| לָשָֽׁבֶת׃ | lashavet | to sit | H3427 → | 1079 times |
מִ֭יwho?
miH4310 →423 times
כַּיהוָ֣ה[is] like Yahweh
kayahwehH3068 →6520 times
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּGod our
ʾeloheinuH430 →2601 times
הַֽמַּגְבִּיהִ֥יwho is making high
hamagbihiH1361 →34 times
לָשָֽׁבֶת׃to sit
lashavetH3427 →1079 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Exodus 15:11Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?
it leads to
- 1 Kings 8:23
and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with…
- Psalms 89:5–8
The heavens praise Your wonders, O LORD— Your faithfulness as well— in the assembly of the holy ones.
- 1 Samuel 2:2
There is no one holy like the LORD. Indeed, there is no one besides You! And there is no Rock like our God.
- 2 Samuel 7:22
How great You are, O Lord GOD! For there is none like You, and there is no God but You, according to everything we have heard with our own ears.
- Revelation 4:8
And each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around and within. Day and night they never stop saying: “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty,…
- 1 Kings 8:23
Through
Jeremiah 10:6There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power.
it leads to
- Exodus 15:11
Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders?
Reached by 3 separate paths from here.
- Psalms 96:4
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
- Exodus 15:11
Through
Psalms 89:6For who in the skies can compare with the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD?
it leads to
- Jeremiah 10:6
There is none like You, O LORD. You are great, and Your name is mighty in power.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Jeremiah 10:6
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies1
About Psalms
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Ambrose of Milan, LETTER 61; Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 113; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David; Charles Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 5; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Calvin, Commentary on the Book of Psalms; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.