“From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!” Psalm 113:3 ESV
Through the Bible Reading: Psalm 111-118
Psalm 113:3 is another verse that rewards taking the time to do a translation comparison. Most translations seem to emphasize the time of day. That every hour of the day, sunrise to sunset, the name is the Lord is to be praised.
But there are a couple of outliers. The New International version reads, “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.”
The New English translation says, “From east to west the LORD’s name is deserving of praise.”
These emphases aren’t in conflict with each other at all. They are both true. One makes it personal: Praise God at all times.
One makes it missional: Praise God in all places.
When I was searching for an image to go with this post, I googled “Time Lapse of sun going across the sky.” And I found something fascinating. If someone sets up a camera to do multiple exposures, and takes a picture of the sky at the exact same time at the exact same angle, you’ll see the sun in a slightly different position each day. And over time. It will describe a graceful figure right across the heavens.
Scientists and mathematicians have adopted this as the symbol for infinity.
From the rising of the sun to its setting, praise God at all times.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, praise God in all places.
Father, as you have inscribed infinity across the sky in the arc of the sunrise; remind me afresh that the name of the Lord is to be praised for all eternity.
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