Psalms 113:2

Context

Psalm 113 is the first of the six "Egyptian Hallel" psalms (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung by Jewish people during important festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These psalms celebrate God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt and His universal sovereignty. Verse 2 specifically picks up the theme of praise introduced in verse 1, establishing a profound and timeless declaration of worship to the Almighty God.

Key Themes

• Eternal Praise: The phrase "from this time forth and for evermore" emphasizes the unending nature of the praise due to God. It signifies a commitment to continuous adoration, not just for a moment or a season, but throughout all generations and into eternity. This resonates with the idea of blessing God's name forever and ever.
• Reverence for God's Name: To "bless the name of the LORD" is to acknowledge, honor, and extol all that God is – His character, attributes, power, and authority. In ancient thought, a name represented the essence of a person. Thus, blessing God's name is an act of deep reverence and worship for His very being.
• God's Universal Sovereignty: While this psalm is rooted in Israel's history, the call to bless the LORD's name "for evermore" suggests a recognition of His timeless and universal dominion, a theme expanded upon in subsequent verses of Psalm 113.

Linguistic Insights

The word "blessed" comes from the Hebrew baruch (בָּרוּךְ), which implies a declaration of praise, adoration, and honor towards God. When applied to God, it means to acknowledge His inherent goodness, holiness, and supreme worth. It is an act of acknowledging His rightful place as the source of all blessings.

The term "name" (Hebrew: shem, שֵׁם) is far more than a mere label in Hebrew thought. It embodies the full character, reputation, authority, and presence of an individual. Therefore, "the name of the LORD" (YHWH, the covenant name of God) signifies God's revealed nature, His actions in history, and His unchanging attributes. To bless His name is to praise all that He has revealed Himself to be.

Significance and Application

Psalm 113:2 serves as a powerful reminder that our praise to God should not be confined to specific times or circumstances. It calls believers to a lifestyle of continuous worship and adoration, acknowledging God's majesty and goodness in every moment. This verse encourages us to:

• Cultivate Constant Praise: Our hearts and mouths should be ready to bless God's name, regardless of our present situation. This aligns with the New Testament call to give thanks in everything.
• Deepen Our Reverence: Understanding that "the name of the LORD" encompasses His entire being should lead us to greater awe and respect for who He is.
• Embrace Eternal Perspective: The "for evermore" aspect reminds us that God's worthiness of praise is not temporary but eternal, aligning our earthly worship with the unending worship found in heaven (Revelation 4:8).

This verse sets the tone for a psalm that celebrates God's condescension to lift the poor and needy, showing that His eternal majesty is intertwined with His compassionate involvement in human affairs.