1 LORD, our Lord, your glorious name
all your wondrous works proclaim;
in the heavens with radiant signs
evermore your glory shines.
How great your name!

Refrain:
LORD, our Lord, in all the earth,
how great your name!
Yours the name of matchless worth,
excellent in all the earth.
How great your name!

2 Infant voices chant your praise,
telling of your glorious ways;
weakest means work out your will,
mighty enemies to still.
How great your name! Refrain

3 Moon and stars in shining height
nightly tell their Maker's might;
when I view the heavens afar,
then I know how small we are.
How great your name! Refrain

4 Who are we that we should share
in your love and tender care
raised to an exalted height,
crowned with honor in your sight!
How great your name! Refrain

5 With dominion crowned, we stand
o'er the creatures of your hand;
all to us subjection yield,
in the sea and air and field.
How great your name! Refrain

How great your name!

Praise of the heavenly Creator's high majesty and of the dignity and authority God has bestowed on humanity.

Scripture References:
st. 1 = v. 1
st. 2 = v. 2
st. 3 = vv. 3-4
st. 4= vv. 4-5
st. 5 = vv. 6-8
ref. = vv. 1, 9

God's glory displayed in the heavens inspires the psalmist and us to proclaim the greatness of Cod's name (st. 1, refrain). So great is the LORD's name and glory "in all the earth" that praise from even the weakest members of society, infants and children, will silence God's enemies (st. 2). The starry heaven's majesty shows what puny creatures human beings are (st. 3), and yet the One who fashioned the moon and stars has also crowned humans with almost godlike glory and honor (st. 4), appointing them to authority over all creation (st. 5)-this thought evokes in the poet a wonder that refuses to be silent. New Testament writers see these divine appointments for humanity fully realized only in Jesus Christ (Heb. 2:5-9). The Psalter Hymnal versification is from the 1912 Psalter.

Liturgical Use:
Beginning of worship; anticipation of Christ's final victory and the reign of his people with him in the new heaven and earth.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook