Psalms 113:3 · Bible study
Psalms 113:3 Commentary: The Meaning of Sunrise to Sunset Praise
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Does 'from the rising of the sun to its going down' mean time or place? Commentators agree: a universal call to praise God's name across the whole earth.
Research Summary
- Meaning: A universal summons for all people everywhere to praise Yahweh’s revealed character.
- Key words: mizrach (place of sunrise/east), mavo (entrance/sunset/west), məhullāl (passive participle: is to be praised).
- Main debate: Whether the phrase denotes time (morning to evening) or space (east to west); most commentators favor the spatial interpretation.
- Theological theme: The praise of God’s name is both an obligation and a delight that spans all creation, rooted in His transcendent glory and condescending mercy.
- Best use: A rallying cry for global worship and a reminder that no corner of the earth lies outside the reach of God’s worthiness.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
From where the sun rises to where it sets, the name of the LORD is praised.
WEB World English Bible 2000
From the rising of the sun to its going down, Yahweh’s name is to be praised.
KJV King James Version 1769
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same Jehovah’s name is to be praised.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
From the rising of the sun unto its going in, Praised is the name of Jehovah.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, let Jehovah's name be praised.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
The sea saw and fled: Jordan was turned back.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Desde el nacimiento del sol hasta donde se pone, sea alabado el nombre de Jehová.
Desde o nascer do sol até o poente, seja louvado o nome do SENHOR.
Du lever du soleil jusqu’ à son couchant,
Vom Aufgang der Sonne bis zu ihrem Niedergang sei gelobet der Name des HERRN!
Van den opgang der zon af tot haar nedergang, zij de Naam des HEEREN geloofd.
Dal sol levante fino al ponente sia lodato il nome dell’Eterno!
Od wschodu słońca, aż do zachodu jego, niech będzie chwalebne imię Pańskie.
Море увидело и побежало; Иордан обратился назад.
從日 出 之地到 日落之處，耶和華 的名 是應當讚美的！
From the coming up of the sun to its going down, the Lord's name is to be praised.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Psalms 113:3
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that the phrase “from the rising of the sun to its going down” refers to the entire geographical span of the earth, not merely morning to evening. Barnes explicitly states “from the farthest east to the farthest west.” Gill argues it is place, not time: “all the space from east to west … even all nations.” The Cambridge Bible similarly reads “throughout the world from east to west” and cross-references Malachi 1:11. On the verb, Keil & Delitzsch note that the Hebrew form məhullāl is a passive participle meaning “is to be praised” (laudandum), not a future tense; it expresses obligation, not a prediction. Thus the verse is a summons: people everywhere ought to praise Yahweh’s name. Matthew Henry adds that the invitation is both pressing and extensive: “it is work which we are very backward to, and which we need to be engaged and excited to.” While Adam Clarke offers a secondary reading of time (morning to evening), he immediately expands it to a call on all mankind. The consensus is that the verse calls for universal praise centered on God’s revealed character.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The verse calls for praise of Yahweh’s name from every part of the earth.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of 'from the rising of the sun to its going down' | The phrase encompasses the entire inhabited world, calling for universal praise. | Some read it primarily as a time reference (morning to evening, as in Adam Clarke's initial comment); others as a spatial reference (east to west, the majority view of Barnes, Gill, Cambridge, Keil & Delitzsch). |
| Statement of fact vs call to action | The verse clearly expresses that Yahweh's name deserves praise everywhere. | A few read the Hebrew as a simple indicative ('is praised'), but most commentators (following the Vulgate and LXX) take it as an imperative or deontic statement: 'is to be praised', a call, not a report. |
| Scope of those addressed | The praise envisioned is global, extending beyond Israel to all nations. | Some emphasize that the direct address is to the 'servants of Yahweh' (the faithful community) who then lead the universal chorus; others see the verse as directly calling all inhabitants of the earth without mediation. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Psalm 113 opens the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113, 118), a collection sung at the great festivals, especially Passover. Calvin notes that it was “recited at their tables … in the paschal night, after they had eaten the lamb.” Lange’s Commentary records that while the Temple stood, this psalm was recited eighteen times a year in Palestine, and it remains in use today. The phrase “from the rising of the sun to its going down” draws on the ancient Near Eastern image of the sun’s daily journey from east to west, marking the full horizon of the inhabited world. Gill emphasizes that this includes “all nations, and the inhabitants of them,” even those who have worshipped the sun itself. The immediate context (vv. 1, 2) addresses the “servants of Yahweh”, the faithful community, but the call quickly expands to encompass all space and time. Calvin observes that the psalm celebrates God’s providence: though He is “high above all nations,” He stoops to care for the lowly (vv. 5, 9). This universal scope ties directly to Psalm 113:3: the God who rules over all is worthy of praise from all. The cross-reference to Malachi 1:11, where Yahweh’s name is “great among the nations,” reinforces the missional thrust of the verse. In the liturgy, the recitation of this verse before the Passover meal reminded Israel that their worship was always meant to extend beyond themselves, a preview of the day when every tongue would confess His glory.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for Psalm 113:3. The phrase appears identically in the Masoretic Text and is consistently rendered in the ancient versions (LXX, Vulgate) as “from the rising of the sun to its setting” with the same deontic sense. The Hebrew is stable and the meaning is not in dispute from a textual-critical standpoint.
Reception History
Psalm 113:3 has been central to Jewish liturgy as part of the Egyptian Hallel, sung at Passover and other festivals for centuries. Calvin observes that it was “recited at their tables … in the paschal night.” The verse’s universal scope made it a natural text for Christian missions: it was used to justify the spread of the gospel to all nations, since God’s name was to be praised from east to west. Early church fathers like Eusebius saw it as a prophecy of Gentile inclusion. In the Reformation, Calvin and others emphasized that the call to praise is rooted in God’s condescension, the high God stooping to lift the lowly, which became a theme in hymns of divine mercy. Though no specific hymn is named in the sources, the verse has echoed through centuries of worship as a reminder that no place and no person is excluded from the song of praise.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The compass of praise, “From the rising of the sun to its going down” maps the whole earth. God’s name is not limited to one place or people; it deserves honor from every corner of creation.
- The content of praise, The praise is directed to “Yahweh’s name,” meaning His revealed character, faithfulness, and mighty acts. This is not empty reputation but the God who raises the poor and lifts the needy (vv. 7, 9).
- The compulsion of praise, The verb form (məhullāl) is a present passive participle expressing obligation: “is to be praised.” It is a call, not a report. We are summoned to make it our daily work.
Five-point outline
- Covenant community: servants of Yahweh (v. 1), The call begins with those who know Him, but it never ends there.
- Continuous time: from this time forward and forever (v. 2), Praise is not a momentary burst but a perpetual stream.
- Comprehensive space: sunrise to sunset (v. 3), No region is excluded; the horizon itself draws the boundary of worship.
- Cosmic majesty: high above all nations (v. 4), The basis for universal praise is God’s transcendent glory.
- Condescending mercy: stooping to the dust (vv. 5, 9), The exalted God lifts the poor and makes the barren joyful. This is the melody of the entire song.
Illustration hooks
- A sunrise viewed from an airplane window, The sun rises over one coast while setting on another. The same light reaches both; the same God deserves worship across all time zones.
- Global online worship gatherings, Believers from different continents join a single service. The verse captures that reality: praise rising from every longitude simultaneously.
- A farmer’s day from first light to dusk, The sun marks the boundaries of labor; Psalm 113:3 says it also marks the boundaries of devotion. Every hour of daylight is a cue to praise.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “Does this verse mean I have to praise God all day long? How is that practical?”
- “If ‘sunrise to sunset’ means the whole world, what about people who have never heard of Yahweh? Is their praise still required?”
- “How do I praise God when I feel small, and my problems fill the whole horizon?”
Leading a Discussion
Psalm 113:3 gathers the whole world into one act of worship. This short verse stretches from one horizon to the other, calling every person, regardless of location or status, to praise Yahweh’s name. Use the questions below to help your group move from what the text says to how it shapes their lives.
Discussion questions
- Read Psalm 113:1, 3. Who is being addressed first, and how does the scope widen by verse 3? Why do you think the psalm begins with the servants of Yahweh?
- “From the rising of the sun to its going down”, is this about a time of day or a place on earth? How do the commentators you’ve read support your answer?
- The Hebrew word for “is to be praised” (məhullāl) can be read as an obligation (“ought to be praised”) rather than a simple statement. What difference does that make in how we understand the verse?
- Psalm 113 goes on to describe God “stooping down” and raising the poor. How does that picture of God’s character connect with the universal call to praise Him?
- What does it mean practically to praise God “from morning to evening” or “from east to west”? Share one ordinary moment in your day that could become an act of praise.
- In a world divided by borders, languages, and conflicts, how might this verse shape your prayers for people in other nations?
- What is one concrete step you can take this week to help someone, in your home or far away, join in praising God’s name?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Psalms 18:3 | I call on Yahweh, who is worthy to be praised; and I am saved from my enemies. |
| Psalms 48:10 | As is your name, God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is full of righteousness. |
| Psalms 50:1 | A Psalm by Asaph. The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, speaks, and calls the earth from sunrise to sunset. |
| Psalms 72:11 | Yes, all kings shall fall down before him. All nations shall serve him. |
| Psalms 72:17 | His name endures forever. His name continues as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed. |
| Psalms 72:19 | Blessed be his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and amen. |
| Psalms 86:9 | All nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord. They shall glorify your name. |
| Isaiah 24:16 | From the uttermost part of the earth have we heard songs. Glory to the righteous! But I said, “I pine away! I pine away! woe is me!” The treacherous have dealt treacherously. Yes, the treacherous have dealt very treacherously. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke offers two possible readings of the phrase: it may mean being constantly engaged in praising God from morning to night, or it may be a summons for all people everywhere to praise him for his countless mercies. He presents both as valid interpretations.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes clarifies that "from the rising of the sun to its setting" refers to the entire visible horizon, east to west. He then draws a careful distinction: "the Lord's name is to be praised" means it ought to be praised, not that it will be, though that is also true. For him, this is a declaration of worthiness and obligation, not a prediction.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin notes that the psalm calls only the faithful to praise God, because they alone have spiritual perception to see His hand in sudden world changes. For him, the psalm directs us to acknowledge that all events are governed by God's will and pleasure, not by chance.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that the phrase "from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same" means throughout the whole world from east to west. It reads this as a call to praise God's name everywhere and without ceasing.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note draws attention to the scope and constancy of worship: God is praised everywhere the sun shines, from its rising to its setting. This emphasizes that true worship is not limited to one place or time but extends across the whole earth every day.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill interprets the phrase as referring to geographic space from east to west, not time from morning to night. He finds it ironic that the sun, which should prompt praise for the Creator, is instead worshipped by many. For him, this points to the Gospel reaching all nations, when God will finally receive worldwide praise.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch stress that this call to praise goes out to all true Israel, not a limited group, and that praising God's name is the very foundation and goal of worship. They also note the Hebrew word here means "praiseworthy" rather than a future event, underscoring that praise is the present duty and purpose of his servants.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry stresses that the repeated calls to praise in this psalm reveal both how essential praise is and how slow we are to offer it. Those who delight in praising God naturally urge others to join, because the work is vast and the pleasure is too good to keep to oneself.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley presents two possible interpretations of "the desire" in this verse. It may refer to a longing for the suffering of righteous people, or else to a craving for one's own unbroken success. He leaves both options open without choosing between them.