What does it mean when God says, “I will be exalted among the nations” (Psalm 46:10)?

Psalm 46:10 declares, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The word exalted means “lifted up, glorified, or held in high regard.” God is supreme, and every nation will one day recognize His kingship. His reign will never end.

God’s exaltation represents His unmatched greatness, and His name should be lifted above all others. Psalm 99:2 states, “The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the peoples” (ESV). This verse and Psalm 46:10 emphasize God’s sovereignty and supreme authority over all creation. It is inevitable that God’s glory will be revealed throughout the earth. He will receive the honor that is due His name.

God deserves praise and worship. Exalting Him means acknowledging His majestic holiness and power. Isaiah 6:1 vividly describes His exaltation: “I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (ESV). God’s exaltation is awe-inspiring, and one day every nation will witness it.

Throughout biblical history, nations of the world pursued their own glory and were ultimately humbled by God. The king of Babylon was one of those rulers guilty of pride and self-exaltation, until the Lord humbled him: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right, and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble” (Daniel 4:37, ESV). God’s glory among the nations will lead to the humbling of all. “Every mountain and hill [shall be] made low” (Isaiah 40:4).

God’s glory will ultimately triumph over human rebellion and resistance. The apostle Paul emphasizes this truth in Philippians 2:9–11, stating, “God has highly exalted him [Christ] and given him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (ESV). The Father has divinely ordained Christ’s exaltation among the nations. “The Lord says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”’ (Psalm 110:1).

One day, Jesus will return to earth and set up His kingdom of righteousness. As the king ruling in Zion, Jesus will draw all nations to Himself: “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious” (Isaiah 11:10).

God’s exaltation is closely tied to His salvation. For example, Moses sings, “The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him” (Exodus 15:2, ESV). The psalmist also links salvation to God’s worldwide exaltation: “The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. . . . All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (Psalm 98:2–3).

God desires to have a relationship with people from every nation. The exaltation of His glory is not limited to a single group; everyone will join in the praise. Revelation 15:4 beautifully expresses this truth: “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed” (ESV).

Believers are called to exalt God and share His glory with others. As witnesses of His sovereign greatness, we should actively participate in fulfilling Psalm 46:10. David declares, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south” (Psalm 107:2–3, ESV). As we wait for God to be exalted among all the nations, we are encouraged to “be still” and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).