Psalms 113
BSASBPsalm 113 opens the Hallel psalms (113-118), traditionally sung at Israel’s feasts. It calls God’s servants to praise His name everywhere and always. It then marvels that the God who is high above all stoops down to lift up the poor and the childless.
Psalms 113:1
The psalm begins and ends with Hallelujah, which means ‘Praise the LORD.’ The call goes to those who belong to Him. Praising His name means praising who He is, all that His character and deeds have shown Him to be.
BSA: servants (“slaves, bondservants”): Those who praise are people who belong wholly to the LORD, so praise is the natural work of those He owns. name (“reputation, character”): God’s name stands for His whole character, not just a title.
Hebrew: הַלְלוּ (halelu, H1984) — “praise! (a command to a group).” This is the plural command inside ‘Hallelujah’: ‘praise’ is addressed to many voices together, with ‘Yah’ being the short form of the LORD’s name.
See also: Psalm 135:1.
Psalms 113:2
Praise is not for one moment only. It begins now and never ends. God’s name deserves blessing in every age, and the whole of time is not too long for it.
BSA: forevermore (“always, eternally”): The praise of God has no end point; it carries on into eternity.
Psalms 113:3
From sunrise to sunset, the whole earth is in view. God’s name is to be praised in every place, not only in Israel. The verse also suggests praise from morning to evening, every day.
BSA: praised (“to be celebrated”): God’s name is worthy of loud, joyful celebration, not quiet politeness.
See also: Malachi 1:11.
Psalms 113:4
The LORD is not a local god. He rules over every nation, and His glory is higher than the sky itself. Nothing in creation can contain or match Him.
BSA: nations (“Gentiles, non-Hebrew peoples”): God’s rule reaches beyond Israel to all the peoples of the world.
See also: Psalm 8:1.
Psalms 113:5
The question needs no answer: no one is like the LORD. He sits enthroned far above all, in the highest place. The psalm is setting up a surprise, for this great God is also the nearest to the lowly.
BSA: enthroned (“dwelling, having His seat”): God rules from a throne; He is the King who sits in settled, unchallenged authority.
See also: Isaiah 40:25; Exodus 15:11.
Psalms 113:6
Here is the wonder. The One so high must stoop even to look at the heavens, since they are so far beneath Him. Yet He does stoop, and He cares about the earth and those who live on it.
BSA: humbles Himself (“stoops down”): God bends low out of love, as one who leans down to help.
See also: Isaiah 57:15; Philippians 2:6-8.
Psalms 113:7
God’s attention goes to the poor, the ones lying in dust and rubbish. He does not merely pity them; He lifts them up. The picture is of people who have been thrown aside, rescued by the LORD.
BSA: dump (“dunghill, ash heap, refuse”): This is the town rubbish heap, where outcasts sat; it shows how low God’s rescue begins. raises (“lifts up, exalts”): God does not just comfort the poor but lifts them to a new standing.
See also: 1 Samuel 2:8.
Psalms 113:8
The lifted one is not merely set free but given honor. The poor sit beside princes, among the leaders of God’s own people. His grace changes a person’s place and dignity, not just their circumstances.
BSA: seat (“with great honor, in a position of dignity”): To be seated among nobles is to be welcomed as an honored guest.
See also: Ephesians 2:6.
Psalms 113:9
The last picture is gentle and personal. A childless woman, who in that world often bore deep sorrow and shame, is given a home and children. God turns grief into joy. The psalm ends where it began: Hallelujah.
BSA: barren (“sterile, unable to bear children”): It names the woman’s deep sorrow, which God meets with the gift of family. joyful (“glad, happy”): God’s gift is not only children but real gladness.
Hebrew: מוֹשִׁיבִי (moshivi, H3427) — “He causes to sit, to dwell.” The verb means He ‘seats’ or ‘settles’ her, the same idea as seating the poor with princes in verse 8. She goes from outcast to a woman at home.
See also: 1 Samuel 2:5; Luke 1:46-53.