“The LORD is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens.”
(Psalm 113:4)
The natural man exalts himself, believing in his own strength, intelligence, and ability to shape his destiny. He puffs out his chest and calls himself a self-made man. Yet such thinking is folly, for self-existence belongs to God alone. Man is utterly dependent—on breath, on time, on strength given by Another. Only God is independent, uncaused, and self-existent. In theology, this is known as aseity—His absolute self-sufficiency.
God does not derive life, power, or existence from another. He is not sustained by anything outside of Himself, for He is the eternal fountain of all being. He depends on no creature, yet every creature depends upon Him. “For in him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). His self-existence sets Him apart as the One who is above all, outside of all, and beyond all.
As the Creator and sustainer of all things, His authority is absolute. “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure” (Isaiah 46:10). Who dares to question Him? Who has the right to stand before the Most High and demand an account of His ways? None can say to Him, “What doest thou?” (Daniel 4:35).
Yet, in all His infinite majesty, He is not distant. He upholds all things “by the word of His power” (Hebrews 1:3). Not only does He create, but He sustains, rules, and directs all things according to His perfect will. He is transcendent, yet intimately involved in His creation, bending low to hear the cries of His people.
Such a God is worthy of highest adoration. He transcends all, not only in being but in wisdom, in holiness, in love, and in mercy. He is the great I AM, eternal and unchangeable, before whom every knee must bow. Let us, then, humble ourselves before Him, worshiping the One who alone is high above all nations and whose glory fills the heavens.
Regarding the Lord’s Majesty, we must learn: “1. God must be exalted above whatsoever excellency is to be seen in kings and people in all the earth; For the Lord is high above all nations. 2. God must be exalted above whatsoever glory is to be seen in the fabric of heaven, and more glory must be given to him than what all the creatures can express: for heaven and earth, and all things which he hath made, are but the effect of some few words of the Lord; His glory is above the heavens. 3. Of any, or of all things which we see or hear of, or can imagine, there is no comparison to be made with God, who set his throne above all the creatures; Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high?”[1]
Contemplations:
- The Majesty of God’s Self-Existence. God alone possesses life in Himself. “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself” (John 5:26). Everything I have—my breath, my strength, my existence—flows from Him. Do I live with the awareness that my life is entirely dependent on His sustaining power? Do I humble myself before the One who is self-existent, acknowledging that apart from Him, I am nothing?
- The Authority of the Almighty. No one can challenge the sovereignty of God. “Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?” (Lamentations 3:37). He alone determines all things, and His will cannot be thwarted. Do I trust that His ways, though beyond my understanding, are always right? Or do I question His purposes, forgetting that He alone is God?
- The Wonder of His Nearness. Though God is high above all, He is not distant. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit” (Isaiah 57:15). How incredible that the self-existent God chooses to dwell with the lowly! Lord, keep my heart humble before You, that I might know the sweetness of Your presence.
- The Call to Worship. If earthly rulers are honored with great titles, how much more should I reverence the King of kings? “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high?” (Psalm 113:5). Does my worship rightly reflect the glory of the One I serve? Do I honor Him not only in word but in heart, acknowledging that He alone is worthy of all praise?
Prayer
O Most High God, I bow before You in humble adoration. “The LORD is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens” (Psalm 113:4). You alone are self-existent, needing nothing, dependent on no one, the eternal I AM. You are high and lifted up, exalted above all creation, clothed in majesty and power. No creature can add to Your glory and none can diminish it, for You are the source and sustainer of all things.
Yet, Lord, I confess that I often forget that my very breath is in Your hands. How easily I fall into self-sufficiency, forgetting that I am but dust, upheld only by Your mercy? Forgive me for my pride, for the times I live as though I were the master of my own fate. Teach me to see You rightly, that I may walk in reverence and humility before You.
I thank You, Father, that though You are high and holy, You have drawn near. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit” (Isaiah 57:15). You, who are above all, do not despise the lowly. You stoop to lift the needy from the dust, to comfort the brokenhearted, and to dwell with those who fear You. What grace is this, that the infinite God would make His abode with men!
Lord, let my heart be filled with awe at Your greatness. Let me not approach You lightly, nor worship You with a careless heart. You are worthy of all honor, all glory, and all praise. May my life be a testimony to Your unending greatness. Let me fear nothing on this earth, for You are the Almighty, the One in whom I trust.
Lift my eyes, O God, that I may behold You as You are. Let my lips declare Your praise, my hands serve Your will, and my heart bow in reverence before You. You are exalted above all, the great King, the eternal God, and there is none like You. “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high?” (Psalm 113:5). Be glorified in my life, O Lord, now and forever. Amen.
Further References for Psalm 113:4:
Psalm 57:11; 1 Kings 8:27; Isaiah 40:22, 57:15, 66:1.
[1] David Dickson, A Brief Explication of the Last Fifty Psalms (London: T.R. and E.M. for Tho. Johnson .., 1654), 125.
