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Psalms 113

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Call to Universal and Eternal Praise 1–3

1
Praise ye Jehovah. Praise, O ye servants of Jehovah, Praise the name of Jehovah. ​
2
Blessed be the name of Jehovah From this time forth and for evermore.
3
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same Jehovah’s name is to be praised. ​

God's Incomparable Majesty and Transcendence 4–6

4
Jehovah is high above all nations, And his glory above the heavens.
5
Who is like unto Jehovah our God, That hath his seat on high, ​
6
That humbleth himself to behold The things that arein heaven and in the earth? ​

God's Condescension and Care for the Poor 7–9

7
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, And lifteth up the needy from the dunghill; ​
8
That he may set him with princes, Even with the princes of his people.
9
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, And to bea joyful mother of children. Praise ye Jehovah. ​

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for Psalms 113

Verse 1

Praise ye the LORD — Halal, to shine, then to boast aloud in praise; it gives 'Hallelujah' (with Yah, the short form of the divine name). The call falls on 'servants of the LORD' (ebed), and opens the series of psalms that runs to Ps 118; Ps 135:1 begins almost identically.

Verse 3

From the rising of the sun — The same span, 'from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same', carries the promise that the LORD's 'name shall be great among the Gentiles' (Mal 1:11). Praise is owed in every place, not in Israel only (Ps 86:9).

Verse 5

who dwelleth on high — The question echoes 'Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods?' (Ex 15:11). Yashab, to sit or dwell, is enthroned residence; gabah is to be lofty. The verse leads into v.6, where the one seated highest looks lowest.

Verse 6

humbleth himself to behold — Shaphel, to sink or bring low, here said of God himself: he stoops even to look at heaven and earth. 'Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly' (Ps 138:6); he dwells also with the 'contrite and humble spirit' (Isa 57:15).

Verse 7

raiseth up the poor out of the dust — Taken from Hannah's song: 'He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill' (1 Sam 2:8). Dal is the weak, thin poor; ebyon the destitute. Mary's song echoes it: 'exalted them of low degree' (Luke 1:52).

Verse 9

the barren woman — Aqar, barren, as Sarai (Gen 11:30); Hannah's song says 'the barren hath born seven' (1 Sam 2:5). To 'keep house' is yashab, the verb of 'dwelleth' in v.5: the LORD who sits on high gives her a settled place. Isa 54:1 bids the barren sing. The psalm ends as it began, 'Praise ye the LORD'.