Psalms 113
Psalm 113 is a psalm of praise, and the whole is divided into two main parts. The first part (verses 1–3) begins with an invitation to praise God’s name, and it urges everyone, including servants, to lift God’s name from morning to evening—at all times. The second part (verses 4–9) sings of God’s greatness and, at the same time, his merciful character that looks on the lowly and raises them up. This structure harmoniously emphasizes God’s transcendence and presence with the heart of love by which he provides these things to human beings.
1versePraise the LORD! Praise, you servants of the LORD, praise the LORD’s name.
2verseBlessed be the LORD’s name, from this time forward and forever more.
3verseFrom the rising of the sun to its going down, the LORD’s name is to be praised.
4verseThe LORD is high above all nations, his glory above the heavens.
5verseWho is like the LORD, our God, who has his seat on high,
6versewho stoops down to see in heaven and in the earth?
7verseHe raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts up the needy from the ash heap,
8versethat he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9verseHe settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD!
Main Themes and Message
- The scope of praising God: The psalmist declares that God’s name is worthy of praise everywhere, from the shoreline to the setting of the sun.
- God’s transcendence: God is exalted above all nations, and glory covers the heavens. This reveals God’s greatness and transcendence.
- A merciful God: God also lifts up the lowly—paying attention to those who are needy and those who suffer, and raising them up. This shows that God is not only great, but also the one who gives love and grace.
Meditation Points
- How often do I praise God in daily life, and in what moments?
- How does the fact that God not only is high and great, but also comes to the very lowest place in our lives become comfort and a challenge to me?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Let’s form the habit of praising God in every moment and place of life.
- If there are people around you who feel isolated and brought low, let’s try a small act of reaching out to them and sharing love by imitating God’s heart.
