“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised …” (Psalms 48:1)

One of the definitions of “Great,” according to Webster, is “markedly superior in character, quality, or skill.” But when used in relation to God; it means superior, preeminent, supreme, none greater than.

David gives the Scriptural definition in Psalm 145:3, “Great is the LORD (or God is Supreme, the Preeminent One), and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” The word “unsearchable” describes and defines the Greatness of God, and therefore is the reason of Praise of God.

But to discover the real understanding of God’s Greatness, a brief look at the word “unsearchable” in relation to God is required:

(a) God as the Creator:

“In the beginning God created…” (Genesis 1:1 – 2:7)

Men have, since forever, tried to figure out “the How” of the Creation of all matter. The fatal error in their attempt is the lack of knowledge of “The Who” of Creation. When men know “The Who” of Creation, the “How” is really a moot point.

God is only a figment of one’s imagination until God, in the Person of Jesus Christ, is revealed unto that person (John 1:14; 2 Corinthians 4:6). For Jesus Christ is the Creator:

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” (Colossians 1:16)

“And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:17)

The revelation that Jesus Christ is God in the Flesh, and that He as God is also the Creator, is performed in a person by the Regeneration of the Spirit of God (Romans 8:1-16). When a person is revealed “The Who” of Creation, then he understands “the How.” That is, by the Power of God Himself, as He spoke Creation into existence by the Word of His Mouth (Hebrews 11:3; Genesis 1:1 – 2:7).

God is unsearchable as the Creator; our finite mind trying to figure out an infinite mind. Paul said “For who hath known the mind of the Lord? …” (Romans 11:34a).

Therefore, “Great is the LORD.” (Read Job 26:1-14; 38:1 – 39:30.)

(b) God as the Controller:

“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.” (Proverbs 19:21)

Job said:

“But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me...”  (Job 23:13-14)

God is not only the Creator, but he is the Controller of His Creation. God, not man, is in Control of His Universe and its movement; of earth and all of its inhabitants. He sitteth high and on His Throne of Glory (Psalms 24:8-10). There is none that telleth God to do this or that. God Controls His Creation by purpose; by His own Will.

God is unsearchable in His Control of His Creation; even in the weather. Nahum 1:3 says:

“…the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”

And John said in John 3:8,

“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth…”

Therefore, God controls man, the weather, and His Universe; for even the sun moves in the circuit God set the sun to travel in (Psalms 19:1-6). God’s Control is unsearchable. So His Greatness is to be praised.

(c) God as the Consummator:

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:18)

God is the Giver of Life and the Taker of Life (Genesis 2:7). He is, as John wrote, the Alpha (the Beginning) and Omega (the Ending). David said in Psalms 31:15, “My times are in thy hand…” And Job said:

“Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;” (Job 14:5)

Life and death are in the hands of God. Therefore, His ways are unsearchable. “Great is the Lord.”

The Greatness of God, as the Creator, the Controller, and the Consummator, is defined in the following words:

(a) Omniscient: That is, having “infinite awareness, understanding, and insight” (Webster). God is wisdom, “I wisdom…” (Proverbs 8:12). As Wisdom Himself, all wisdom and knowledge begins in Him, is Him, and ends with Him. Romans 11:33 says:

“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”

There is no bottom to the Wisdom of God, because He is the Origin of all wisdom. “Great is the LORD… his greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3).

(b) Omnipresent: Defined as “present in all places at all time.” God is a Spirit; He has no restrictions and no barriers. Therefore, he is everywhere. (See 2 Chronicles 16:9; Job 34:21; Proverbs 15:3.)

“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3)

The word “eyes” is used in a metaphorical sense of God being everywhere at all times, seeing everything. “Great is the LORD… his greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3).

(c) Omnipotent: The definition is “having unlimited authority or influence; almighty” (Webster). The Bible reveals God as having All Power; as the titles Creator, Controller, and Consummator reveals.

Jesus said in Matthew 28:18b, “… All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Colossians 1:18 proves that Jesus is the Creator, and the Creator has all power. “Great is the LORD… his greatness is unsearchable” (Psalm 145:3).

Because God is Great (the Only Great One, the True and Living God); then He is “greatly to be praised.”

“Greatly” is an adverb, which tells “How” God is to be praised. The definition of “greatly” is a) “to a great extent or degree; very much”; (b) “in a great manner.” Because God is Great, then He is to be greatly praised; or in a great manner. A great God is worthy to be praised “greatly”; or to the highest degree; or much, very much; to the greatest extent. This means with our entire beings; in body, soul, and spirit; with all we are; with all our strength; with all our worship (our devotion and adoration); with a fixed heart; and in all faithfulness to Him and to Him alone.

This devotion is endless in the defining of the Greatness of God; because His Greatness is unsearchable. It is endless; because He is the Creator, Controller, and Consummator. As these things, He is omniscient; omnipresent, and omnipotent. He (Jehovah) alone holds this preeminence, since He is the Origin and Source and Authority over all Creation.

None other but those who know God in the face of Jesus Christ by Regeneration can see the Greatness of God, or have the Power of the Spirit of God to be able to “greatly” praise God.

Then let us (the sons of God) greatly praise God for His Greatness. Since the nature of His Greatness is unsearchable; it reveals His Greatness.

Let us as His Children, Greatly Praise the God who is Great. Amen and Amen! Hallelujah!