Psalm 113

Psalm Category: Public praise to God

Central Thought: The God who is lifted up is also the God who lifts up.

Key word: Praise (vv. 1, 3, 9)

The theme of public praise continues in Psalms 113 through 118. This series of psalms is called The Hallel (the praise) and also The Egyptian Hallel. Psalm 136 is called The Great Hallel. These psalms are so called because most of them begin, and many end, with a call to praise the Lord.

This series was used in the three main annual feasts (Passover, Weeks [Pentecost] and Booths; see Lev. 23), the new moon (Num. 29:6), and the Feast of the Dedication (Hannukah; John 10:22). At the Passover, Psalms 113 and 114 were sung at the beginning of the meal and 115-118 at the end. Psalm 118 is the “hymn” that was sung at the end of the Last Supper (Matt. 26:3o; Mark 14:26). This is an indication that the “hymns” of Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 are referring to the Old Testament psalms. Psalm 113 is very similar to Hannah’s song (1 Sam. 2:1-10) and The Magnificat of Mary (Luke 1:46-55). Psalm 113:7-8 is virtually identical to 1 Samuel 2:8. This indicates that these truths and expressions were ancient and stored deep in the hearts of God’s people (Ps. 119:11; Luke 6:45).

The Call to Praise (vv. 1-3). Praise is to be given to the covenant God (v. 5a, our God) by His covenant people (v. 1b, His servants; v. 8b, His people). Praise is to be given to His name (vv. 1c, 2a, 3b); that is, to who He is (vv. 4-6) and for what He has done (vv. 7-9). As He is, so His praise is to be eternal (v. 2b, forever) and universal (v. 3a), from place of rising to place of setting).

The Cause of Praise (vv. 4-6). God is to be praised because He transcends all things (v. 4). He is so high that He must use His “humble telescope” to see the things that are far above our sight but infinitely below His glory (v. 6). Verses 4 and 6 bracket the focal verse of this psalm (vv. 1-9) and section (vv. 4-6), which proclaims the incomparable glory of God (v. 5). The archangel Michael’s name means “Who is like God?” (Dan. 10:13; Rev. 12:7). The closer you are to God, the better you understand that His glory is infinite, eternal and unchangeable. That He is not merely transcendent but enthroned on high (v. 5b) and humbles Himself (v. 6) leads into the next section, where He who is lifted up also lifts up (vv. 7-9).

The Choir of Praise (vv. 7-9). This section deals with those who have a special reason and duty to praise the Lord: the choir of those who have been the objects of His saving grace! The Lord is high and lifted up (vv. 4-6), and we are low and lifted up by Him (vv. 7-9). He is good and gracious to apply His glory to our good. He raises the helpless from their helplessness (v. 7; see Eph. 2:1-4ff.) and makes them sit with the upper class of His people (v. 8; see Eph. 2:6). He makes us lowly Gentiles to be fellow citizens with the children of Abraham (Eph. 2:11ff.), grafted into that rich root of the olive tree (Rom. 11:17).

A barren woman of that time period had a very unstable position in the household, as her husband was likely to take another wife who would displace her. She suffered shame and mockery (1 Sam. 1:5ff.; Gen. 30:23; Luke 1:25). But God, who raises the dead, gives the barren woman children, turning her sorrow into joy (Ps. 30:1, 5, 11), her shame into glory (1 Sam. 2:6ff.; Luke 1:46ff.) and her unstable position into a seat of authority (1 Tim. 5:14).

Praise the Lord! (vv. 1, 3, 9). Praise the Lord (vv. 1-3) for who He is (vv. 4-6) and for what He has done (vv. 7-9)! Praise the Lord Jesus Christ who is the fullness of God in bodily form (vv. 1-3; Col. 2:9), who is enthroned on high (vv. 3-6; Acts 2:32ff.; Eph. 1:19ff.), and who raises His people from their sin and death and seats them with Him in His righteousness and life (Eph. 2:1-10; Rev. 3:21)! Take special encouragement that He gives children to the barren woman.

Are you and your congregation barren? Do you not have spiritual children whom God has given you as the fruit of your faithful evangelism? Do not grow weary and lose heart! Do not be hopeless in your barrenness, but be hopeful in His grace (Rom. 4:17ff.). He is the one who is so gracious that the children of the barren woman will be more numerous than the woman who has many (Is. 54:1ff.; Gal. 4:19ff., 26). Pray that God will remove your reproach by making you faithful and fruitful in evangelism (v. 9; 1 Sam. 1:19; 2:1ff.; Luke 1:46ff.)!

—Kit Swartz