Greatness

³Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable. Psalm 145:3

In his play Twelfth Night, Shakespeare tells us “some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.”  We often ask ourselves how we can move something from “good to great”.  When it comes to God’s character we are told he is great.  The first time “great” is used in this verse it is the Hebrew word gadol meaning big, immense, or large.  It can mean something that is physically large or vast, or in as a figure of speech for unseen attributes. 

“greatly to be praised” is a different Hebrew word ma’od which as the idea of his praise (in this case) justly always multiplying.  Finally, the nature of his greatness (back to the root word gadol) is expressed as being unsearchable.  Try as we might, we will never find the end of his perfection in every attribute and fullness.  We will spend all eternity marveling at his greatness…and the only appropriate way to respond is to multiply our praises unto Him.