Exalted

Lore & Background

God is the ultimate source of exaltation. He exalts Himself above all (Psalms 46:10, Psalms 57:5) and is described as 'exalted as head above all' (1 Chronicles 29:11). His name is exalted above all blessing and praise (Nehemiah 9:5). Human kings and leaders are exalted by God's choice: David perceived that the Lord had exalted his kingdom (2 Samuel 5:12), and God told Jeroboam, 'I exalted thee from among the people' (1 Kings 14:7) and 'out of the dust' (1 Kings 16:2). Balaam's prophecy foretold that Israel's king would be exalted (Numbers 24:7), and Hannah's prayer rejoiced that the Lord would 'exalt the horn of his anointed' (1 Samuel 2:10). Self-exaltation, however, is portrayed negatively. Adonijah 'exalted himself, saying, I will be king' (1 Kings 1:5), and the Assyrian king is rebuked for exalting his voice against the Holy One of Israel (2 Kings 19:22). The wicked may be exalted for a little while but are brought low (Job 24:24), and when the vilest men are exalted, the wicked walk on every side (Psalms 12:8). In contrast, God sets up on high those that be low (Job 5:11) and establishes the righteous forever, exalting them (Job 36:7). Waiting on the Lord leads to being exalted to inherit the land (Psalms 37:34).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray exaltation as a divine prerogative: God alone is ultimately exalted (Psalms 21:13, Psalms 57:11), and He exalts whom He chooses—whether kings like David (2 Samuel 5:12) or Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:7, 1 Kings 16:2). Human attempts at self-exaltation are consistently rebuked (1 Kings 1:5, 2 Kings 19:22). The righteous are exalted by God to safety and honor (Job 5:11, Job 36:7, Psalms 37:34), while the wicked are only temporarily exalted before being cut off (Job 24:24, Psalms 12:8). The term also carries a martial and salvific sense: God is the 'rock of my salvation' who is exalted (2 Samuel 22:47, Psalms 18:46), and His strength is the basis for His exaltation (Psalms 21:13). Believers are called to exalt God's name together (Psalms 34:3) and to be still, knowing that God will be exalted among the nations (Psalms 46:10).

Did You Know?

• God is described as 'exalted as head above all' in 1 Chronicles 29:11.
• Adonijah's self-exaltation to be king is recorded in 1 Kings 1:5.
• The wicked are 'exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low' (Job 24:24).
• Hannah prayed that the Lord would 'exalt the horn of his anointed' (1 Samuel 2:10).