It is called "great" to differentiate it from the Egyptian Hallel, another prayer of praise comprising psalms 113 to 118.

[11] Verse 1, was recited at Solomon's dedication of the Temple;[19] Charles Spurgeon suggests that the whole psalm was sung.

[20] This Psalm is chanted as the second Canticle or the second Hoos of the Midnight Praises known as Tasbeha, a nightly prayer practiced in Coptic Orthodox Churches and Monasteries.

He also composed a metred paraphrase of the psalm in German, "Danket dem Herren, gebt ihn Ehr", SWV 241, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.

"Forever", written by Chris Tomlin in 2001, also draws heavily on this psalm for its lyrics.