Psalms 113: An Exhortation to Praise
Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.
Psalms 113, a vital part of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113—118), serves as a powerful call to worship. These psalms were traditionally sung during significant celebrations like Passover (Matthew 26:30), commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Psalm 114). The very term "Hallelujah," derived from the Hebrew "halal" and "Yah" (halelu-yah), meaning "praise the LORD!", encapsulates the spirit of this psalm. Psalms 113 calls God’s people to continually extol God’s greatness. It’s natural to praise that which is worthy of praise.
A Call to Eternal Praise (Psalms 113:1-3)
The psalm begins with a threefold exhortation: "Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! Let the name of the LORD be blessed from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!" (Psalms 113:1-3). This isn't a one-time command, but a continuous obligation. It's a reminder that God's people should continually extol God's greatness. The emphasis on God's "name" is significant. It signifies more than mere syllables; it represents His reputation, His character, and all that He is. To praise and honor His name is to acknowledge His very being. This call to praise extends beyond a specific time or place; it encompasses all times ("from this time forth and forevermore") and the entire world ("From the rising of the sun to its setting").
God's Sovereignty and Supremacy (Psalms 113:4-6)
The psalm highlights the reasons for such unwavering praise: "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?" (Psalms 113:4-6). God's sovereign nature is emphasized. He is the unquestioned master of all, the Creator who sits "above" His creation, not subject to it. His glory transcends earthly boundaries, reaching beyond the heavens. Like Isaiah 40:22 and Psalms 95:3, this passage underscores God's unparalleled supremacy. It is natural to praise the God whose glory is above the heavens.
God's Compassion and Intervention (Psalms 113:7-9)
However, God's transcendence doesn't equate to detachment. The psalm beautifully portrays His active involvement in the lives of His people: "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!" (Psalms 113:7-9).
Those fallen into dirt represent the defeated and suffering. Ashes were often used to represent mourning. The Lord is intimately involved with his creation. He stoops down and raises the poor from the dust. Those whom society considers as nobodies, then, God lifts up to sit with the somebodies. He gives children to those who are barren, turning mourning to joy. The Lord doesn't simply observe; He intervenes, rescuing us from dire circumstances. Verse 7 and 8 echo a similar sentiment from 1 Samuel 2:8, which also speaks of a barren woman who ultimately bears a child (1 Samuel 1:2, 22). This act of raising the poor and giving children to the barren demonstrates God's radical compassion and transformative power. Barren women, in the Old Testament era, were looked on with pity and had few hopes of a secure future.
Psalms 113 is a testament to God's greatness and goodness. It calls us to praise Him continually, acknowledging His sovereignty and celebrating His compassionate intervention in our lives.
Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.
Psalms 113, a vital part of the "Egyptian Hallel" (Psalms 113—118), serves as a powerful call to worship. These psalms were traditionally sung during significant celebrations like Passover (Matthew 26:30), commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egyptian bondage (Psalm 114). The very term "Hallelujah," derived from the Hebrew "halal" and "Yah" (halelu-yah), meaning "praise the LORD!", encapsulates the spirit of this psalm. Psalms 113 calls God’s people to continually extol God’s greatness. It’s natural to praise that which is worthy of praise.
A Call to Eternal Praise (Psalms 113:1-3)
The psalm begins with a threefold exhortation: "Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD! Let the name of the LORD be blessed from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!" (Psalms 113:1-3). This isn't a one-time command, but a continuous obligation. It's a reminder that God's people should continually extol God's greatness. The emphasis on God's "name" is significant. It signifies more than mere syllables; it represents His reputation, His character, and all that He is. To praise and honor His name is to acknowledge His very being. This call to praise extends beyond a specific time or place; it encompasses all times ("from this time forth and forevermore") and the entire world ("From the rising of the sun to its setting").
God's Sovereignty and Supremacy (Psalms 113:4-6)
The psalm highlights the reasons for such unwavering praise: "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?" (Psalms 113:4-6). God's sovereign nature is emphasized. He is the unquestioned master of all, the Creator who sits "above" His creation, not subject to it. His glory transcends earthly boundaries, reaching beyond the heavens. Like Isaiah 40:22 and Psalms 95:3, this passage underscores God's unparalleled supremacy. It is natural to praise the God whose glory is above the heavens.
God's Compassion and Intervention (Psalms 113:7-9)
However, God's transcendence doesn't equate to detachment. The psalm beautifully portrays His active involvement in the lives of His people: "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!" (Psalms 113:7-9).
Those fallen into dirt represent the defeated and suffering. Ashes were often used to represent mourning. The Lord is intimately involved with his creation. He stoops down and raises the poor from the dust. Those whom society considers as nobodies, then, God lifts up to sit with the somebodies. He gives children to those who are barren, turning mourning to joy. The Lord doesn't simply observe; He intervenes, rescuing us from dire circumstances. Verse 7 and 8 echo a similar sentiment from 1 Samuel 2:8, which also speaks of a barren woman who ultimately bears a child (1 Samuel 1:2, 22). This act of raising the poor and giving children to the barren demonstrates God's radical compassion and transformative power. Barren women, in the Old Testament era, were looked on with pity and had few hopes of a secure future.
Psalms 113 is a testament to God's greatness and goodness. It calls us to praise Him continually, acknowledging His sovereignty and celebrating His compassionate intervention in our lives.