Psalms 113:1

KJV

¶ Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Praise {H1984} ye the LORD {H3050}. Praise {H1984}, O ye servants {H5650} of the LORD {H3068}, praise {H1984} the name {H8034} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Halleluyah! Servants of ADONAI, give praise! Give praise to the name of ADONAI!

Berean Standard Bible

Hallelujah! Give praise, O servants of the LORD; praise the name of the LORD.

American Standard Version

Praise ye Jehovah. Praise, O ye servants of Jehovah, Praise the name of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 113:1 serves as a powerful and direct invocation to worship, initiating the Hallel psalms (Psalms 113-118) with an emphatic call for God's devoted people to offer heartfelt praise. This verse establishes the foundational theme of the entire psalm, urging all who serve the Lord to acknowledge and glorify His revealed character, attributes, and majestic power, setting a tone of joyous and reverent adoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 113:1 opens the first of the six "Egyptian Hallel" psalms (Psalms 113-118), a distinct collection traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals. This opening verse acts as a communal summons, immediately engaging the audience with a repeated command to praise. Its placement at the very beginning of this significant liturgical unit underscores its role as an invitation to worship, preparing the hearts of the worshippers for the subsequent recounting of God's mighty deeds and His compassionate care for the humble. The repetition of the command "Praise ye the LORD" creates an emphatic and urgent tone, setting the spiritual trajectory for the entire Hallel sequence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Hallel psalms were an integral part of Jewish worship, particularly during the three pilgrimage festivals: Passover, Pentecost (Shavuot), and Tabernacles (Sukkot). During Passover, these psalms were sung as part of the Seder meal, commemorating God's miraculous deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt, an event central to Jewish identity and faith. The call to praise in Psalms 113:1, therefore, resonates deeply with a people who had experienced divine redemption, inviting them to remember and celebrate God's historical acts of salvation. The phrase "servants of the LORD" would have been readily understood as referring to the covenant people of Israel, those who had been chosen and redeemed by Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** This verse introduces several pivotal themes that are developed throughout Psalms 113 and the broader Hallel collection. First, it establishes **the imperative of praise**, emphasizing that worship is not optional but a fundamental duty and privilege for God's people. The repeated command highlights the importance of active, intentional adoration. Second, it defines **the identity of the worshippers** as "servants of the LORD," signifying a relationship of devotion, allegiance, and obedience to God, as seen in the call to Israel in [Deuteronomy 6:13](/deuteronomy/6-13 "Deuteronomy 6:13 - Fear the LORD and Serve Him"). Third, the verse stresses the significance of **praising "the name of the LORD."** In biblical thought, the "name" encapsulates God's entire character, reputation, and revealed essence, not merely a label. To praise His name is to acknowledge His holiness, power, justice, and love, as exemplified in [Exodus 34:5-7](/exodus/34-5 "Exodus 34:5-7 - God Proclaims His Name"). These themes collectively set the stage for a psalm that celebrates God's transcendence and His condescending care for the lowly.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Praise ye (Hebrew, _Halleluyah'_):** This is the familiar "Hallelujah," a compound word meaning "Praise Yah" or "Praise the LORD." It is an imperative, a direct command to a plural audience, emphasizing an active, communal act of adoration and glorification of God. It signifies a joyful and enthusiastic acknowledgment of God's greatness and worthiness.
* **servants (Hebrew, עֶבֶד, _‘eved'_):** This term denotes more than mere employees; it implies a relationship of devoted service, allegiance, and often, humble submission. In the biblical context, "servants of the LORD" refers to those who belong to God, are committed to His will, and are called to carry out His purposes. It speaks to a covenantal relationship, as seen in figures like Abraham and Moses.
* **name (Hebrew, שֵׁם, _shem'_):** In ancient Near Eastern thought, a name was not just an identifier but represented the very essence, character, authority, and reputation of an individual. To praise "the name of the LORD" is to praise His entire revealed being, His attributes (holiness, power, faithfulness, love), His deeds, and His very nature, acknowledging His unique identity as the sovereign God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ Praise ye the LORD."**: This opening phrase is the iconic "Hallelujah," serving as a powerful, direct, and communal imperative. It immediately sets the tone for the psalm, summoning all who hear to engage in the act of worship, highlighting God's supreme worthiness of adoration. The paragraph marker (¶) in the KJV often indicates a new section or thought, emphasizing this as a foundational declaration.
* **"Praise, O ye servants of the LORD,"**: This clause reiterates the command to praise but specifically addresses the intended audience: "O ye servants of the LORD." This is not a universal call to all humanity, but a particular summons to those who are in a covenant relationship with God, those who have committed themselves to His service and acknowledge His sovereignty. It underscores that praise is a distinguishing mark of His devoted people.
* **"praise the name of the LORD."**: The final repetition of the command specifies the object of praise: "the name of the LORD." This is more profound than simply uttering a word; it means to glorify God's entire revealed character, His attributes, His power, and His reputation. It is an invitation to acknowledge and celebrate who God is in His essence and in His mighty acts, recognizing His unique and holy identity.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 113:1 employs several effective literary devices to convey its urgent and emphatic message. **Repetition** is prominently used, with the phrase "Praise ye the LORD" appearing three times in this single verse. This repetition serves to underscore the paramount importance of praise, creating a sense of urgency and driving the command deeply into the listener's mind. It functions as a powerful rhetorical device, ensuring the central message is unmistakable. Additionally, the verse uses **Apostrophe**, directly addressing "O ye servants of the LORD." This direct address makes the command personal and immediate, drawing the specific audience into the act of worship and emphasizing their particular responsibility and privilege in offering praise. The structure also exhibits a form of **Parallelism**, where the initial general command is then specified and intensified for a particular group and object of praise, moving from a broad "Praise ye the LORD" to a more focused "Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 113:1 establishes praise as a fundamental and distinguishing characteristic of God's people, not merely an emotional outburst but a theological declaration. It roots worship in the very identity of those who are "servants of the LORD," recognizing that their existence and purpose are intrinsically linked to glorifying their Creator and Redeemer. This verse sets the stage for the Hallel psalms' unfolding narrative of God's transcendence and His condescending care for the humble, demonstrating that true praise arises from both an awe of His majesty and a grateful heart for His mercy. It reminds us that our primary response to God's character and deeds should be one of adoration and proclamation.

* [Psalms 150:6](/psalms/150-6 "Psalm 150:6 - Universal Call to Praise")
* [Revelation 19:5](/revelation/19-5 "Revelation 19:5 - Call to Praise from the Throne")
* [Isaiah 43:21](/isaiah/43-21 "Isaiah 43:21 - A People Formed to Proclaim God's Praise")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 113:1 issues a timeless and universal summons to all who claim to be God's servants: to praise the LORD, to praise His very name. This is not a passive suggestion but an active, intentional command to engage our hearts, minds, and voices in adoration. In a world that often seeks to praise human achievement or fleeting pleasures, this verse redirects our gaze to the one true God, reminding us that He alone is worthy of ultimate honor and glory. Our identity as "servants of the LORD" implies a life lived in devotion and obedience, where praise becomes the natural overflow of a heart transformed by His grace. It challenges us to consider if our lives truly reflect this foundational call to worship, not just in moments of corporate gathering, but in every aspect of our daily existence, acknowledging His sovereignty and goodness in all circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for me, personally, to be a "servant of the LORD" in my daily life?**
* **How does praising "the name of the LORD" differ from simply saying "God is good"?**
* **In what practical ways can I more intentionally engage in heartfelt praise, both individually and communally?**
* **How does my understanding of God's character (His "name") impact my capacity and desire to praise Him?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the repetition of "Praise ye the LORD" in this verse?**
Answer: The repetition of "Praise ye the LORD" (Hallelujah) three times within this single verse serves to emphasize the paramount importance and urgency of the command. It is a rhetorical device that underscores the central message, ensuring that the call to worship is deeply impressed upon the listener. This emphatic reiteration highlights that praise is not merely an option but a fundamental and non-negotiable duty and privilege for God's people, setting a powerful and insistent tone for the entire Hallel collection.

**Who are the "servants of the LORD" mentioned in this verse?**
Answer: The "servants of the LORD" (Hebrew: _‘avdei Yahweh_) primarily refers to the covenant people of Israel, those who have been chosen, redeemed, and called to serve God. In a broader sense, it encompasses all who have committed themselves to God's will and purpose, acknowledging His sovereignty and living in obedience to Him. This identity is foundational to their call to praise, as their service is an expression of their devotion and allegiance to the One who saved them, as seen throughout the Old Testament, for example, in [Joshua 24:15](/joshua/24-15 "Joshua 24:15 - Choose Whom You Will Serve").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 113:1, with its insistent call to "Praise ye the LORD," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament "servants of the LORD" were called to praise God for His mighty acts of salvation, particularly the Exodus, the New Testament reveals that the greatest act of salvation is accomplished through Christ's death and resurrection. Jesus himself is the perfect "servant of the LORD" (as prophesied in [Isaiah 42:1](/isaiah/42-1 "Isaiah 42:1 - The Servant of the Lord")), who perfectly glorified the Father in His life, death, and resurrection. Now, through faith in Him, all believers are adopted into God's family and become "servants of the Most High God" ([Acts 16:17](/acts/16-17 "Acts 16:17 - Paul and Silas and the Servant Girl")). Our praise is no longer solely for past deliverances but for the ultimate deliverance from sin and death achieved by Christ on the cross. We praise "the name of the LORD" by acknowledging the supremacy of the name of Jesus, "at the name of Jesus every knee should bow" ([Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9-11 - The Exaltation of Christ")), and by proclaiming His redemptive work, which enables us to approach God with boldness and offer true worship, continually offering "the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess his name" ([Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.