Psalms 113:6

KJV

Who humbleth [himself] to behold [the things that are] in heaven, and in the earth!

KJV (with Strong's)

Who humbleth {H8213} himself to behold {H7200} the things that are in heaven {H8064}, and in the earth {H776}!

Complete Jewish Bible

humbling himself to look on heaven and on earth.

Berean Standard Bible

He humbles Himself to behold the heavens and the earth.

American Standard Version

That humbleth himself to behold The things that arein heaven and in the earth?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 113:6 profoundly articulates a central paradox of God's character: His transcendent majesty coexists with an astonishing, voluntary humility. Despite being infinitely exalted above all creation, the Lord graciously "humbleth himself" to intimately observe and engage with every detail of existence, encompassing both the vast, unseen realms of heaven and the intricate, tangible realities of the earth. This verse highlights divine accessibility and compassionate governance, revealing a God who is neither distant nor disengaged but actively attentive to His cosmos.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 113 initiates the Hallel Psalms (Psalms 113-118), a collection traditionally recited during major Jewish festivals like Passover, Pentecost, and Sukkot. The preceding verses of [Psalm 113](/psalms/113 "Psalm 113 - Praise to the Exalted and Condescending God") establish God's unparalleled supremacy, with His name praised "from the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same" ([Psalm 113:3](/psalms/113-3 "Psalm 113:3 - God's Name Praised Everywhere")). This sets a grand stage of divine exaltation, making the declaration of God's self-humbling in [Psalm 113:6](/psalms/113-6 "Psalm 113:6 - God's Voluntary Condescension") all the more striking. It introduces a theological tension—God's transcendence and immanence—which the subsequent verses resolve by illustrating His condescension through specific acts of caring for the lowly and marginalized, such as raising the poor and making the barren woman a joyful mother ([Psalm 113:7-9](/psalms/113-7 "Psalm 113:7-9 - God Lifts the Lowly")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Hallel Psalms were integral to ancient Israelite worship, particularly during Passover, commemorating God's deliverance from Egyptian bondage. In a cultural landscape where deities were often perceived as either aloof or capricious, the God of Israel is presented as uniquely both sovereign and intimately involved. The concept of a supreme being "humbling himself" would have been revolutionary, challenging human notions of power and status. Kings and powerful figures typically asserted their dominance through elevated positions and detachment from the common populace. Yet, [Psalm 113](/psalms/113 "Psalm 113 - The Hallel Psalm of God's Greatness and Grace") portrays Yahweh, the King of the universe, as one who willingly "stoops" to behold His creation, demonstrating a divine character radically different from the gods of surrounding nations and even from typical human rulers. This compassionate engagement underscored the covenant relationship God desired with His people.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalms and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **Divine Condescension**, highlighting God's voluntary act of bending down from His exalted position to engage with His creation. This is not a sign of weakness but an extraordinary demonstration of His grace and sovereignty, emphasizing that the all-powerful Creator chooses intimate involvement over aloofness. Secondly, the verse underscores **God's Omnipresence and Omniscience**, as He "beholds" everything, everywhere, signifying His complete awareness and oversight of all existence, from the highest heavens to the deepest parts of the earth. Nothing is hidden from His sight, reinforcing His comprehensive knowledge and control. Lastly, it powerfully conveys **God's Active Engagement** with His world. This verse counters any deistic notion of a distant God, instead portraying a deity who is intimately attentive to His creation, paying close attention to its inhabitants and events. This active observation implies profound care, a readiness to intervene, and a personal investment in the well-being of His cosmos and its inhabitants, a theme echoed in [Psalm 8:4](/psalms/8-4 "Psalm 8:4 - What is Man, that You are Mindful of Him?").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Humbleth (Hebrew, _shaphal'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁפַל (_shaphal_) literally means "to be low," "to sink," "to stoop," or "to be abased." When applied to God, as here, it does not imply a diminution of His divine essence, power, or glory. Rather, it signifies a voluntary, gracious act of condescension—a bending down from His infinitely exalted position. It is an act of sovereign will, demonstrating His accessibility and profound care, in stark contrast to human pride which often refuses to acknowledge or engage with those perceived as beneath them. God's "humbling" is a powerful expression of His immanence and love, bridging the infinite gap between Creator and creation.
* **Behold (Hebrew, _ra'ah'_):** The Hebrew verb רָאָה (_ra'ah_) means "to see," "to look," "to perceive," or "to observe." In this context, it denotes more than a casual glance; it implies an active, purposeful, and comprehensive observation. God does not merely exist above His creation; He actively surveys it, taking it all in. This "beholding" suggests a deep awareness, an intimate knowledge, and an attentive gaze that encompasses all things. It speaks to God's omniscience and His personal engagement with the details of His universe, from the grandest celestial bodies to the smallest earthly creatures.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who humbleth [himself]":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the astonishing nature of God's character. The "who" refers back to the Lord, Yahweh, whose name is exalted above all nations and whose glory is above the heavens (Ps 113:4). The act of "humbling himself" is a divine paradox. It is a voluntary descent, not out of weakness or necessity, but out of sovereign grace. It highlights God's unique capacity to bridge the infinite chasm between His transcendence and His creation, demonstrating a profound willingness to engage with that which is infinitely beneath Him in majesty and power.
* **"to behold [the things that are] in heaven":** This clause specifies the scope of God's condescending gaze. His observation extends to "heaven," encompassing the celestial realms, the angelic hosts, the cosmic order, and all that is beyond human perception. This signifies God's comprehensive oversight of the entire universe, from its grandest structures to its most subtle movements. It assures us that no part of His vast creation, however distant or sublime, escapes His watchful eye and active engagement.
* **"and in the earth!":** Completing the scope, this phrase brings God's attentive gaze down to the terrestrial sphere. "Earth" refers to the physical world, its inhabitants, its landscapes, and the mundane realities of human existence. By including "earth" alongside "heaven," the verse emphasizes God's immanence—His presence and involvement in the everyday lives and concerns of humanity. It assures believers that the same God who governs the cosmos also meticulously observes and cares for the seemingly small details of their lives, providing immense comfort and reassurance of His personal care.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 113:6 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is **Paradox**, where the psalmist presents the seemingly contradictory nature of God being both supremely exalted ("high above all nations," [Psalm 113:4](/psalms/113-4 "Psalm 113:4 - God's Exalted Glory")) and yet willing to "humble himself." This tension highlights God's unique character, where ultimate power is paired with profound humility and accessibility. Another key device is **Merism**, found in the phrase "in heaven, and in the earth." This figure of speech uses two contrasting or opposite parts to represent the whole, signifying the totality of creation. By mentioning both the highest and lowest, the psalmist conveys that God's gaze and involvement encompass absolutely everything, from the cosmic to the mundane. Finally, **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the description of God "humbling himself" and "beholding." These are human actions attributed to God to make His divine nature and actions comprehensible to human understanding. While God does not literally "stoop" or "look" as humans do, these anthropomorphic descriptions powerfully convey His voluntary condescension and active, compassionate engagement with His creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 113:6 stands as a powerful testament to God's unique nature, bridging His infinite transcendence with His profound immanence. It reveals a God who is not only worthy of all praise for His supreme majesty but also intimately involved with the world He created. This divine condescension is a hallmark of biblical theology, distinguishing the God of Israel from distant deities. It underscores that God's greatness is not measured by His aloofness but by His willingness to draw near, to observe, and to care for His creation, particularly the lowly and the needy. This theme resonates throughout scripture, revealing a God who consistently bends down to lift up, to save, and to dwell among His people.

* [Psalm 8:4](/psalms/8-4 "Psalm 8:4 - What is Man, that You are Mindful of Him?")
* [Isaiah 57:15](/isaiah/57-15 "Isaiah 57:15 - God Dwells with the Contrite and Humble")
* [Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Exaltation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 113:6 offers profound comfort and a powerful call to emulation for believers. The assurance that the Almighty God, who orchestrates the cosmos, also meticulously observes and cares about our individual lives is an immense source of peace. No detail of our existence is too small for His attention, no person too insignificant for His gaze. This truth should inspire a deep sense of awe and worship for a God who is both infinitely high and intimately concerned with His creation. It encourages us to live with unwavering confidence, knowing that we are always under the watchful and caring eye of our Creator. Furthermore, this verse serves as a potent reminder for us to emulate God's character. Just as He humbles Himself to behold and care for all, we are called to humble ourselves, to look beyond our own concerns, and to actively engage with and care for those around us, especially the marginalized and overlooked. Our greatness, too, should be measured not by our distance from others, but by our willingness to draw near and serve.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the paradox of God's exaltation and His "humbling himself" challenge your understanding of divine power and love?**
* **In what specific areas of your life do you need to be reminded that God "beholds" you and your circumstances, both "in heaven and in the earth"?**
* **How can you, in your daily life, emulate God's condescension by humbling yourself to serve or care for others, particularly those you might otherwise overlook?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper sense of awe and worship for a God who is both transcendent and immanent?**

### FAQ
**Does God truly 'humble himself' in the same way humans do, implying a loss of status or power?**

Answer: No, God does not "humble himself" in the same way humans do, which often involves a loss of status, power, or dignity. For humans, humility can be a difficult act of self-abasement. For God, as described in [Psalm 113:6](/psalms/113-6 "Psalm 113:6 - God's Voluntary Condescension"), His "humbling" (Hebrew: _shaphal_) is a voluntary act of divine condescension. It is a sovereign choice to bend down from His infinite majesty and glory to engage with His creation, which is infinitely beneath Him. This act is not a diminution of His power or essence, but rather a profound demonstration of His grace, love, and accessibility. It highlights His willingness to be intimately involved with the world and its inhabitants, showcasing His unique character as both transcendent and immanent. This divine humility is a mark of His extraordinary greatness, not a limitation, and it finds its ultimate expression in the incarnation of Jesus Christ, as seen in [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Self-Emptying Humility").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 113:6, with its astonishing declaration of God's voluntary condescension to behold all things in heaven and earth, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The God who "humbleth himself" in the Old Testament is fully revealed in the New Testament as the Son, who, though "being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" ([Philippians 2:6-7](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-7 - Christ's Kenosis")). This is the supreme act of divine humbling—the Incarnation—where the Creator entered His own creation, not as a distant observer, but as one fully immersed in human experience, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Jesus, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), perfectly embodies the God who stoops low to behold and redeem His fallen creation. His life, ministry, and atoning sacrifice are the ultimate expression of the divine gaze of love and active engagement, demonstrating that God's condescension is not merely to observe but to save, to lift the poor out of the dust, and to make the barren fruitful through His life-giving Spirit ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Riches and Poverty for Us")). Thus, [Psalm 113:6](/psalms/113-6 "Psalm 113:6 - God's Humility to Behold") is a prophetic whisper of the Christ event, where the infinitely high God drew infinitely near to rescue humanity.

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.

Cross-References

Psalms 11:4

¶ The LORD [is] in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne [is] in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

Isaiah 57:15

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Psalms 138:6

¶ Though the LORD [be] high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

Isaiah 66:2

For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Isaiah 6:2

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

Job 15:15

Behold, he putteth no trust in his saints; yea, the heavens are not clean in his sight.

Job 4:18

Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly: