The Excellent Name of God

Burroughs' text in this work is Psalm 148:13, focusing on the phrase, "For his name alone is excellent." His main argument is to demonstrate God's glorious character, that the psalmist does not rest in simply praising God for his glory that appears in the creatures, but he rises higher to praise and bless God for what there is in himself above that which appears in any creature. Burroughs sets his point of view directly in line with the glorious nature of God himself, and the excellent name of God above all things. It is true that God manifests himself in heaven and earth as glorious, but, there is a further glory of God that is within himself, beyond all that is, or can be manifested in or to any creature. This is the substance of this ensuing work. Burroughs covers two main doctrines: that a gracious heart is not satisfied with praising God only for his works but rises higher to praise him for himself. And, God is a most excellent being above all things. In these two doctrines he lays out the biblical arguments that press Christians to give glory to God's inherent excellency. Certainly, God is to be praised for all his works, (for creation, providence and redemption in Jesus Christ), but God is to be praised especially for who he is in and of himself in his glorious nature.