John Calvin Commentary Psalms 113:2

"Blessed be the name of Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore." — Psalms 113:2 (ASV)

Blessed be the name of Jehovah. The prophet confirms what I stated above: that the praises of God must be continued throughout the whole course of our life. If His name is to be continually praised, it should, at least, be our earnest endeavor during our brief pilgrimage here that the remembrance of it may flourish after we are dead.

In the next verse, he extends the glory of God’s name to all parts of the earth; therefore, our apathy will be totally inexcusable if we do not make its praises resound among ourselves. Under the law, God could not be praised properly, except in Judea by His own people, to whom the knowledge of Him was confined.

His works, however, which are visible to all nations, are worthy of the admiration of the whole world. The following clause concerning the loftiness of God’s glory has the same effect. For can there be anything more shameful than for us to magnify it only seldom and tardily, considering it should fill our thoughts with enrapturing admiration?

In extolling the name of God so highly, the prophet intends to show us that there is no ground for indifference, and that silence would suggest impiety if we did not exert ourselves to the utmost of our ability to celebrate His praises, so that our affections may, as it were, rise above the heavens.

When he adds that God is high above all nations, there is an implied reproach, by which he levels against the chosen people the charge of apathy in the exercise of praise. For can there be anything more preposterous than for those who are eye-witnesses of God’s glory, which shines forth even among the blind, to refrain from making it the theme of their praises?

At the very time when God conferred upon the Jews the exclusive honor of being the custodians of the knowledge of His heavenly doctrine, He was nevertheless, according to Paul, not without a witness (Acts 14:17; Romans 1:20). After the proclamation of the Gospel, His exaltation above the nations was more evident, for then the whole world was placed under His sway.