What Did God Magnify Above His Name?

What Did God Magnify Above His Name?
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 by Paul D. Norcross

We often read Psalm 138:2 and marvel at what we think God is saying. But the truth is, He is really prioritizing something different than what we think in the last phrase of this verse.

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. (Psalm 138:2)

How many times have we read this verse and thought it was talking about the Scriptures? But God did not magnify the written Scriptures above His name. He magnified much more than that! What He magnified is His Word. So what does He really mean in this verse?

The Hebrew word for “word” in this psalm is “emrah.” It means an utterance, speech, or what is being spoken. It’s referring to an active dialogue. What God magnified above His name is His active speaking to His people. Such speaking involves a hearing relationship with them, a fellowship.

Think of Matthew 4:4, quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3—that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (Greek: rhema speaking) that proceeds (is proceeding) out of the mouth of God.

God so loves us and wants us to live by every word that continually proceeds out of His mouth. He wants conversation; an ongoing, two-way, right now fellowship. His written Word captures some of His amazing oral communications. But like God’s rebuke to Aaron and Miriam in Numbers chapter 12, He desires more. He could only speak to them in visions and dreams because of their pride. But to Moses, He could actually speak and fellowship “mouth-to-mouth.” Such has been His desire since Adam and Eve before the fall.

Our heavenly Father tolerates having to communicate by impressions, coincidences, dreams, and visions. But He really wants to actually talk with us, and we with Him. Would you be satisfied relating to your spouse only through notes, visions, or previous writings? Of course not. It is the same with God. He wants to speak mouth-to-mouth conversations with us! In this way, we get to know the Author of our faith, not just His wonderful book.

Jesus rewards those who overcome in such fellowship and dialogue with Him by inviting them to sit with Him on His throne (Revelation 3:20-21). The single criterion behind such invitation is the fellowship that we keep through hearing His voice and fellowshipping with Him!

The New Covenant is all about creating space in our hearts to receive God and His Son’s speaking words. Such words are also known as a “fountain” and as “living water” in John 4:14 and 7:37-38, and as “the water of life” in Revelation 21:6, and 22:17. This is how He writes His word in the fleshly tables of our heart.

So, what did God magnify and even place above His name in Psalm 138:2? His fellowship via one-on-one verbal communications with the people that He loves. Just as Jesus prayed for oneness in His last prayer on the way to the garden in John 17, so God longs for oneness with us. He sent Jesus Christ to save us and to open the door to talk with us personally in His still, small voice. And the Holy Spirit was additionally sent to guide us into such fellowship with The Truth—Jesus Himself!

May the joy of His fellowship be with you every day in the secret place of The Most High.

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