The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. . . . Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? . . . To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. 

Captive Jews in Babylonia had been exposed to the belief that many gods held control over the heavens. By contrast, this poetic text portrays the vast host of stars and planets as an army led by a powerful general—an image of the one God’s omnipotence and omniscience. Although His sovereignty is already known to the Israelites, here they are being urged to remember and honor it.

In his days shall the righteous flourish; . . . He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. . . . His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory.