What does Daniel 2:20 mean?

The enraged king Nebuchadnezzar had ordered the deaths of his entire corps of wise men, because his court magicians could not meet his challenge regarding a dream (Daniel 2:1–2; 10–13). Daniel, however, calmly promised he could answer the king's questions and prayed for guidance from the Lord (Daniel 2:14–18). God responded by giving Daniel a vision uncovering the secrets he needed to know (Daniel 2:19). Daniel's immediate response was to bless the Lord, leading into this section of praise.

Daniel's praise reads very much like a psalm. Apparently, Daniel was well acquainted with hymns of praise in the book of Psalms. In praising God's "name," Daniel celebrates His entire character. In this celebration, Daniel will focus primarily on God's perfect knowledge and control of all things (Daniel 2:21–23).

Psalms 103:1–2 and 113:1–2 also extoll God's name. Although he was under great stress, Job trusted that God had complete understanding of his situation and the power to bring something good out of it (Job 12:10–13). When people gave free-will offerings for the temple in David's day, David blessed the Lord. Like Daniel, he praised God for his might. First Chronicles 29:10–11 quotes him as saying, "Blessed are you, O Lᴏʀᴅ the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lᴏʀᴅ, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in earth is yours."