Who Looks Far Down

“The Lord is high above all nations,
    and his glory above the heavens!
Who is like the Lord our God,
    who is seated on high,
who looks far down
    on the heavens and the earth?” Psalm 113:4-6

“The Lord looks down from heaven;
    he sees all the children of man.” Psalm 33:13

The Lord is high and lifted up, the Most High, exalted, infinite, transcendent, limitless. He reigns from above the heavens (!), eternally, wisely, perfectly. Lifted eyes to see Him translate to lifted hearts in awe, lifted hands in praise. His inviting gaze draws our eyes upward, and as we look at His face high above us, we connect with His loving, all-knowing eyes that look down, far down, on us and earth here below. (1 Kings 8:27; Psalm 3:3; Isaiah 6:1)

“The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
    to see if there are any who understand,
    who seek after God.” Psalm 14:2; 53:2

“He looked down from his holy height;..
to hear the groans of the prisoners,
    to set free those who were doomed to die,
that they may declare the name of the Lord,
    and… his praise.” Psalm 102:19-21

Those eyes! They look far down into us. He sees the hidden heart, the closed closets and what is inside, the residue of filth and resentment and jealousy and greed that resides there. By His gracious nature and initiative, He loves us and invites us to rise up and out of all we are without Him. He extricates the deepest sin, cleanses depravity, redeems the deepest and worst, and restores uprightness. He lifts our heads, and enjoins us to behold His loftiness in gratitude and praise. (Psalm 139:1-4; John 2:24)

“O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
whom angels delight to worship above!
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to your praise!” ~Robert Grant (1833)

He also looks far down into our most guarded, tender places. He sees our deepest hurts, relates to the reproach we have borne in His name, understands inexpressible longings, and soothes hidden pain. He meets us in the far down of soul to comfort, heal, and revitalize. (Psalm 69:9)

What help or encouragement do we receive knowing the Lord on high looks on us in love and mercy? Do we flee from His gaze, or welcome its light? Have we made it a daily practice to turn from distractions and circumstances and screens to look above and behold His beauty? Will we ask for His searching gaze, and respond in gratitude for what He reveals? (Exodus 33:18; Psalm 27:4; 139:23-24)

“Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
all praise we would render, O help us to see
’tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.” ~Walter Smith (1867)

Lord, in thanksgiving and praise for Your transcendence and immanence, lift my eyes above earthly things and keep me ever looking to You who look on me.