Psalms 113:7

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

He raiseth up {H6965} the poor {H1800} out of the dust {H6083}, and lifteth {H7311} the needy {H34} out of the dunghill {H830};

He raises the poor from the dust, lifts the needy from the rubbish heap,

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the dump

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, And lifteth up the needy from the dunghill;

Psalm 113:7 is a powerful declaration of God's character, highlighting His profound compassion and active intervention on behalf of the most marginalized in society. It states, "He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;"

Context of Psalm 113:7

This verse is part of Psalm 113, the first of the Egyptian Hallel psalms (Psalms 113-118), traditionally sung during major Jewish festivals like Passover. The psalm begins by calling for praise to the Lord (Psalm 113:1) and then contrasts God's transcendent majesty – His dwelling on high and looking down on heaven and earth (Psalm 113:5-6) – with His condescending care for the lowest and most vulnerable among humanity. Verses 7-9 provide specific examples of this divine concern, culminating in His ability to give children to the barren woman.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Compassion and Justice: The verse vividly portrays God as one who actively cares for the poor and needy, not merely observing their plight but intervening to change it. This underscores His inherent justice and mercy for the downtrodden.
  • Reversal of Fortunes: The imagery of being raised "out of the dust" and "out of the dunghill" speaks to the lowest possible social and economic degradation. The verse promises a radical reversal of fortune, where the utterly destitute are elevated by divine power. This theme is echoed throughout scripture, notably in Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 2:8 and Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1:52.
  • God's Humility and Accessibility: Despite His supreme glory, God is not distant or indifferent. He "stoops down to look" (Psalm 113:6) and involves Himself directly in the lives of the humble, demonstrating that true greatness is found in serving others.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "poor" (Hebrew: dal) refers to those who are weak, helpless, or dependent.
  • "Dust" (Hebrew: aphar) is a common biblical metaphor for extreme lowliness, humiliation, or even death, emphasizing a state of utter insignificance and despair.
  • "Needy" (Hebrew: evyon) denotes someone who is destitute, lacking basic necessities, and utterly reliant on others.
  • The "dunghill" (Hebrew: ashpot) represents a refuse heap, a place of filth and waste, symbolizing the lowest social standing, degradation, and rejection. The act of lifting someone from here signifies complete restoration and honor.

Practical Application and Significance

Psalm 113:7 offers immense comfort and hope to those facing extreme hardship, poverty, or social marginalization. It reassures believers that God sees their condition and is capable of bringing about miraculous change and exaltation. This verse also serves as a call to action for believers to mirror God's heart for the poor and needy, advocating for justice and showing compassion to the vulnerable in their communities (James 2:5). It reminds us that true honor comes not from worldly status but from God's gracious hand, often elevating those whom the world overlooks.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Samuel 2:7

    The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

  • 1 Samuel 2:8

    He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.

  • Psalms 107:41

    Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh [him] families like a flock.

  • Luke 1:52

    He hath put down the mighty from [their] seats, and exalted them of low degree.

  • Luke 1:53

    He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.

  • 2 Samuel 7:8

    Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:

  • 2 Samuel 7:9

    And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great [men] that [are] in the earth.

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