Psalm 113
Psalm 113, Praise to the LORD Who Lifts the Lowly
Psalm 113 begins the section known as the Egyptian Hallel, Psalms 113 to 118. These psalms were closely connected with the Passover celebration, remembering Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Psalms 113 and 114 were traditionally sung before the Passover meal, and Psalms 115 to 118 were sung after the meal.
This gives Psalm 113 special importance because it was likely among the psalms sung by the Lord Jesus and His disciples on the night He was betrayed. Matthew and Mark both record that after the Passover meal, Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn before going out to the Mount of Olives.
Matthew 26:30, “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”
Mark 14:26, “And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”
Psalm 113 praises the LORD as the high and exalted God who stoops low to behold heaven and earth, and who lifts the poor and needy from the dust and ash heap. This is a psalm about the greatness of God and the mercy of God. He is infinitely high, yet personally attentive. He is above all nations and above the heavens, yet He sees the poor, raises the needy, and gives joy to the barren woman.
This psalm is also a powerful preparation for the suffering of Christ. On the night before the cross, Jesus likely sang of the God who humbles Himself to behold the things in heaven and earth. Yet Jesus Himself would soon display the greatest condescension of all, the eternal Son of God would go to the cross, descend into death, and then be raised and exalted to the highest place.
A. Calling God’s Servants to Continually Praise Him
Psalm 113:1, A Call to Praise the LORD
Psalm 113:1, “Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.”
Psalm 113 begins with “Praise ye the LORD,” or “Hallelujah.” This is both a declaration and a command. The psalmist praises the LORD and calls others to praise Him as well. Praise is the proper response of the creature to the Creator, the redeemed to the Redeemer, and the servant to the Master.
The command is repeated, “Praise, O ye servants of the LORD.” The servants of the LORD have special reason to praise Him. Every creature owes praise to God, but His servants know Him by covenant, trust Him by faith, and serve in His work. They have been brought near, instructed by His Word, preserved by His mercy, and given the honor of belonging to Him.
To be a servant of the LORD is not a low thing in the biblical sense. It is an honor. Moses was called the servant of the LORD. David was called the servant of the LORD. The prophets served the LORD. The apostles served Christ. The believer’s highest freedom is found in faithful service to God.
Deuteronomy 34:5, “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.”
Psalm 89:20, “I have found David my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him:”
Romans 1:1, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”
The servants of the LORD are commanded to “praise the name of the LORD.” The name of the LORD represents His revealed character, His holiness, His covenant faithfulness, His power, His mercy, and His glory. This is not vague worship of an unknown deity. True praise is directed toward the LORD as He has revealed Himself.
This matters because worship must be rooted in revelation. Men often worship false gods, imagined gods, cultural gods, emotional gods, or versions of God shaped by their own preferences. Psalm 113 calls the servants of the LORD to praise the name of Yahweh, the true covenant God who has revealed Himself in creation, in His covenant dealings with Israel, in His Word, and fully in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 1:14, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:18, “No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
Psalm 113:1 teaches that praise begins with God’s servants honoring God’s revealed name. The LORD is worthy of praise, and those who serve Him should be the first to give it.
Psalm 113:2 to Psalm 113:3, The Lasting Nature of God’s Praise
Psalm 113:2, “Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.”
Psalm 113:3, “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.”
The psalmist now expands the call to praise across time and space. “Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.” The LORD’s name is not worthy of praise only in one moment, one generation, one circumstance, or one season of blessing. His name is to be blessed now and forever.
The phrase “from this time forth” calls for immediate praise. The worshiper is not to delay. The servants of the LORD are to bless His name now. “For evermore” extends that praise into eternity. Since God never changes, He never becomes unworthy of praise. Since His mercies never cease, praise should never cease.
This is important because believers often tie praise too closely to visible circumstances. They praise when things go well and grow silent when affliction comes. Psalm 113 teaches something greater. The name of the LORD is blessed from now and forever because His character does not change.
Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not, therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
Verse 3 says, “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.” This describes the whole day, from east to west, from sunrise to sunset. The LORD is worthy of praise at all times and in all places. Morning belongs to Him. Evening belongs to Him. Every hour between belongs to Him.
The phrase may also suggest the spread of praise across the whole earth. Wherever the sun rises and wherever it sets, the LORD’s name is worthy to be praised. His praise is not limited to Israel only. The covenant God of Israel is the God of all the earth.
This anticipates the prophetic hope that the LORD’s name would be honored among the nations.
Malachi 1:11, “For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles, and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering, for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Psalm 113:2 to 3 teaches that praise should be continual, immediate, eternal, and worldwide. The LORD’s name is to be praised from this time forth, forevermore, and from the rising of the sun to its going down.
B. Reasons to Praise God Continually
Psalm 113:4 to Psalm 113:6, The Greatness of God’s Glory
Psalm 113:4, “The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.”
Psalm 113:5, “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,”
Psalm 113:6, “Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!”
The psalm now gives the reason the LORD should be praised continually. “The LORD is high above all nations.” The LORD is not merely Israel’s local deity. He is sovereign above every nation, kingdom, ruler, empire, and people. The nations may rage, boast, rebel, and exalt themselves, but the LORD is high above them all.
This would have been especially meaningful in a Passover context. Israel’s deliverance from Egypt proved that the LORD rules over the nations. Pharaoh was powerful, but he was not sovereign. Egypt had gods, wealth, armies, and political power, but the LORD was high above Egypt.
Exodus 12:12, “For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast, and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.”
The verse continues, “and his glory above the heavens.” God is not merely above the nations, He is above the heavens. His glory surpasses creation itself. The heavens declare His glory, but they do not contain Him. The highest heaven cannot limit His majesty.
1 Kings 8:27, “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house that I have builded?”
Verse 5 asks, “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high?” The expected answer is, no one. The LORD is incomparable. No idol, angel, ruler, demon, nation, or creature can be compared to Him. He dwells on high, exalted above all.
This question echoes the great biblical theme of God’s uniqueness.
Exodus 15:11, “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”
Isaiah 46:9, “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is none else, I am God, and there is none like me,”
Verse 6 gives the astonishing truth, “Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!” God is so high that even to look upon heaven and earth is an act of condescension. He stoops to behold not only earth, but even heaven. This is not because God lacks knowledge or must strain to see. It is poetic language showing the immeasurable distance between the Creator and creation.
The greatness of God’s condescension can only be understood when His exaltation is understood. If God were small, His attention to man would not be astonishing. But because He is high above all nations and His glory is above the heavens, His care for the lowly is breathtaking.
David expressed this same amazement in Psalm 8.
Psalm 8:3, “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;”
Psalm 8:4, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”
Psalm 8:5, “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.”
This condescension reaches its highest display in the incarnation of Christ. The Son of God did not merely behold earth from heaven. He came to earth. He took true humanity. He humbled Himself to save sinners.
Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
Philippians 2:6, “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:”
Philippians 2:7, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”
Philippians 2:8, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”
When Jesus sang Psalm 113 on the night He was betrayed, He was singing of the God who humbles Himself. Yet He Himself would soon go lower than any man could imagine, bearing shame, suffering, and death for sinners. The high and exalted Son would stoop to the cross.
Psalm 113:4 to 6 teaches that the LORD is high above all nations, His glory is above the heavens, He is incomparable, and yet He humbles Himself to behold heaven and earth. His greatness makes His mercy all the more glorious.
Psalm 113:7 to Psalm 113:9, God’s Care for the Lowly
Psalm 113:7, “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;”
Psalm 113:8, “That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.”
Psalm 113:9, “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.”
The God who dwells on high stoops low in mercy. Verse 7 says, “He raiseth up the poor out of the dust.” The poor are pictured as lying in the dust, brought low by need, weakness, shame, and helplessness. Dust is the place of humiliation. Yet God sees them there and raises them up.
He also “lifteth the needy out of the dunghill.” The dunghill, or ash heap, represents the lowest place of rejection, uncleanness, grief, and disgrace. In the ancient world, the ash heap could be associated with mourning, poverty, and social humiliation. God does not merely help the lowly climb a little higher. He lifts them from the lowest place.
This is the LORD’s pattern. He brings down the proud and lifts the humble. Hannah sang of this after the LORD gave her Samuel.
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.”
Psalm 113 clearly echoes Hannah’s song. This connection is important because Hannah was once barren, mocked, and brokenhearted. God lifted her by giving her a son and a place of honor. Her story becomes a living example of Psalm 113’s truth.
Verse 8 says God lifts the poor and needy “that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.” God’s mercy does not merely remove shame, it gives honor. He takes the lowly from dust and seats them among princes. The movement is from humiliation to dignity, from rejection to honor, from helplessness to fellowship among the noble.
This pattern is fulfilled spiritually in the believer. We were dead in trespasses and sins, without hope in ourselves, but God raised us with Christ.
Ephesians 2:4, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”
Ephesians 2:5, “Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved,”
Ephesians 2:6, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:”
The believer is lifted higher than earthly princes. In Christ, he is raised and seated in heavenly places. This is not because of human worthiness, but because of God’s mercy.
Verse 9 gives a specific example, “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children.” In ancient Israel, barrenness was a deep sorrow. It often brought shame, grief, social reproach, and personal anguish. The psalmist says God can transform that sorrow into joy.
The Bible gives several examples of barren women whom God blessed with children, including Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Manoah’s wife, Hannah, and Elizabeth. God often displayed His power by bringing life where human strength could not.
Genesis 21:1, “And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken.”
Genesis 21:2, “For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him.”
Genesis 30:22, “And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.”
1 Samuel 1:19, “And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah, and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her.”
1 Samuel 1:20, “Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.”
Luke 1:13, “But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias, for thy prayer is heard, and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”
The point is not that every barren woman will necessarily bear children in this life. The point is that God sees the lowly, the ashamed, the forgotten, and the grieving. He is able to reverse human impossibility. He gives homes, joy, fruitfulness, honor, and restoration according to His wisdom and mercy.
The verse ends as the psalm began, “Praise ye the LORD.” The psalm forms a circle of praise. It begins with Hallelujah and ends with Hallelujah. The God who is high above all nations and yet stoops to lift the poor is worthy of endless praise.
This ending is especially powerful when connected to Christ. On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus likely sang this psalm. He sang of the God who raises the poor from the dust, while He Himself was about to descend into humiliation, betrayal, scourging, crucifixion, death, and burial. Yet God would raise Him from the grave and exalt Him above every name.
Philippians 2:9, “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:”
Philippians 2:10, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”
Philippians 2:11, “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Psalm 113 teaches that the LORD is worthy of praise from His servants, now and forever, from sunrise to sunset, among all nations. He is high above all nations, His glory is above the heavens, and none is like Him. Yet He humbles Himself to behold heaven and earth. He raises the poor from the dust, lifts the needy from the ash heap, seats the lowly with princes, gives joy to the barren woman, and displays His mercy in condescending grace. Therefore, praise ye the LORD.
