3
From the rising of the sun to its going down
The Lord’s name is to be praised.
My Thoughts
Psalm 113:3 emphasizes the importance of praising the Lord from sunrise to sunset, symbolizing universal worship throughout the world. Matthew Henry interprets this as a call for all nations, to acknowledge God’s power, wisdom, and grace. Similarly, Albert Barnes and Charles Spurgeon assert that praise should resonate from all corners of the earth. Despite many being unaware of God’s glory, the scriptures foretell a time when every nation will honor Him, reflecting the continual cycle of praise in believers’ lives
For me, the Shema comes to mind. It is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9, it begins with “The Lord is our God, the Lord is One! You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” and then in verses 6-7, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.“……Bill
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Commentaries:
Matthew Henry
From all places the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, that is, throughout the habitable world. Let all that enjoy the benefit of the sun rising (and those that do so must count upon it that the sun will set) give thanks for that light to the Father of lights. God’s name is to be praised; it ought to be praised by all nations; for in every place, from east to west, there appear the manifest proofs and products of his wisdom, power, and goodness; and it is to be lamented that so great a part of mankind are ignorant of him, and give that praise to others which is due to him alone. But perhaps there is more in it; as the former verse gave us a glimpse of the kingdom of glory, intimating that God’s name shall be blessed forever (when time shall be no more that praise shall be the work of heaven), so this verse gives us a glimpse of the kingdom of grace in the gospel-dispensation of it. When the church shall no longer be confined to the Jewish nation but shall spread itself all the world over, when in every place spiritual incense shall be offered to our God (Mal. 1:11), then from the rising to the setting of the sun the Lord’s name shall be praised by some in all countries.
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Albert Barnes
From the rising of the sun … – From the farthest east to the farthest west – the sun in its rising and setting being the remotest object that we see in the horizon.
The Lord’s name is to be praised – This does not mean that it “will” be – though that is true; but that it “ought” to be – that it is worthy of universal praise. All people in the East and in the West – everywhere – “should” praise and adore that name.
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Charles Spurgeon
“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the LORD’S name is to be praised.” From early morn till eve the ceaseless hymn should rise unto Jehovah’s throne, and from east to west over the whole round earth pure worship should be rendered unto his glory. So ought it to be, and blessed be God, we are not without faith that so it shall be. We trust that ere the world’s dread evening comes, the glorious name of the Lord will be proclaimed among all nations, and all people shall call him blessed. At the first proclamation of the gospel the name of the Lord was glorious throughout the whole earth; shall it not be much more so ere the end shall be? At any rate, this is the desire of our souls. Meanwhile, let us endeavor to sanctify every day with praise to God. At early dawn let us emulate the opening flowers and the singing birds,
Chanting every day their lauds,
While the grove their song applauds;
Wake for shame my sluggish heart,
Wake and gladly sing thy part.
It is a marvel of mercy that the sun should rise on the rebellious sons of men, and prepare for the undeserving fruitful seasons and days of pleasantness; let us for this prodigy of goodness praise the Lord of all. From hour to hour let us renew the strain, for each moment brings its mercy; and when the sun sinks to his rest, let us not cease our music, but lift up the vesper hymn—
Father of heaven and earth!
I bless thee for the night,
The soft still night!
The holy pause of care and mirth,
Of sound and light.
Now far in glade and dell,
Flower cup, and bud, and bell
Have shut around the sleeping woodlark’s nest,
The bee’s long murmuring toils are done,
And I, the over wearied one,
Bless thee, O God, O Father of the oppressed!
With my last waking thought.
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John Gill
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same,…. Meaning not from morning to night; for it designs not time, but place, even all the space from east to west, or that lies between the rising and setting sun; even all nations, and the inhabitants of them; and who ought to praise the Lord for the rising sun, and the benefit and advantages of it; and yet many of them have worshipped the sun, and served the creature more than and besides the Creator. All within this compass are the creatures of God, and the care of his providence, and therefore are bound to praise him and yet he has had this tribute due unto him but from a few. Here it respects Gospel times, when the Gospel should be sent into all the world; and many should be called from the east and west, from the north and south, and fear the Lord and worship him, and offer a pure offering of praise unto him; and his name be great among the Gentiles, from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, Malachi 1:11. For within this wide space
the Lord’s name is to be praised; it ought to be, though it is not; and ere long it will be when all nations shall come and worship before him, Rev 15:3.
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Matthew Poole
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same; from one end of the world to the other; from east to west, which he mentions rather than from north to south, because those parts of the world were at this time much uninhabited and unknown.
The Lord’s name is to be praised, for his glorious works of creation and providence, the benefit of which all nations enjoy; and for his gracious purpose and promise of bringing in all nations to the knowledge of his truth by the Messias.
Matthew Poole, Annotations upon the Holy Bible, vol. 2 (New York: Robert Carter and Brothers, 1853), 176.
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Cross References
Malachi 1:11 (KJV )
11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same
My name shall be great among the Gentiles;
And in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering:
For my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts.
Isaiah 59:19 (KJV )
19 So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west,
And his glory from the rising of the sun.
When the enemy shall come in like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord shall rlift up a standard against him.
Psalm 50:1 (KJV )
1 The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth
From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
Psalm 50:title–1 (KJV )
A Psalm of Asaph.
1 The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth
From the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.
Psalm 86:9 (KJV )
9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come
And worship before thee, O Lord;
And shall glorify thy name.
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KJV W/Strongs Bible
113:3 From the rising 4217 of the sun 8121 unto the going down 3996 of the same the LORD’S 3068 name 8034 [is] to be praised 1984 8794.
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Geneva Bible 1560
Psalm 113:3
3 The Lord’s Name is praised from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same.
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Final Thoughts:
10 Therefore David blessed the Lord before all the assembly; and David said:
“Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
11
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all.
12
Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.
13
“Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:10-13 NKJV
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