Bible Strands
Psalms 97:9
For You, O LORD, are Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses the congregation of Zion and Judah immediately after recounting God's judgments that provoke their rejoicing. This declaration functions as the foundational premise for the surrounding calls to worship and ethical conduct.
The words — The Hebrew עֶלְי֥וֹן (el.Yon) translates literally as "most high," intensified by מְאֹ֥ד (me.'Od) meaning "exceedingly." The pronoun אַתָּ֤ה ('a.Tah) "you" directly identifies Yahweh as the sole subject of this supreme position over the earth.
The thread — This claim of universal supremacy appears in Exodus 18:11, which records Yahweh's superiority over other gods, and Psalms 83:18, which repeats the exact phrase "Most High over all the earth." Psalms 95:3 reinforces the same hierarchy by naming Yahweh a great King above all gods.
Why it lands — The text first asserts Yahweh's absolute rank above all earthly and divine powers before issuing commands to hate evil and trust in His protection. It requires the reader to accept this established hierarchy as the non-negotiable basis for moral choice and communal identity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.
Cross-references
- Psalms 95:3 For the LORD is a great God, a great King above all gods.
- Exodus 18:11 Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for He did this when they treated Israel with arrogance.”
- Psalms 83:18 May they know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are Most High over all the earth.
- Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.
- Philippians 2:9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names,
- Psalms 135:5 For I know that the LORD is great; our Lord is above all gods.
- Psalms 96:4 For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.
- Ephesians 1:21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.
- Psalms 115:3 Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases.
- Jeremiah 10:8 But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!