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Psalm 113

God the Helper of the Needy

1

Praise the L ord!

Praise, O servants of the L ord;

praise the name of the L ord.

 

2

Blessed be the name of the L ord

from this time on and forevermore.

3

From the rising of the sun to its setting

the name of the L ord is to be praised.

4

The L ord is high above all nations,

and his glory above the heavens.

 

5

Who is like the L ord our God,

who is seated on high,

6

who looks far down

on the heavens and the earth?

7

He raises the poor from the dust,

and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

8

to make them sit with princes,

with the princes of his people.

9

He gives the barren woman a home,

making her the joyous mother of children.

Praise the L ord!


Ps 113:1-9. God's majesty contrasted with His condescension and gracious dealings towards the humble furnish matter and a call for praise. The Jews, it is said, used this and Psalms 114-118 on their great festivals, and called them the Greater Hallel, or Hymn.

1-3. Earnestness and zeal are denoted by the emphatic repetitions.

servants of the Lord—or, all the people of God.

name of the Lord—perfections (Ps 5:11; 111:9).

3. From the rising, &c.—all the world.

4-6. God's exaltation enhances His condescension;

7, 8. which condescension is illustrated as often in raising the worthy poor and needy to honor (compare 1Sa 2:8; Ps 44:25).

9. On this special case, compare 1Sa 2:21. Barrenness was regarded as a disgrace, and is a type of a deserted Church (Isa 54:1).

the barren woman … house—literally, "the barren of the house," so that the supplied words may be omitted.


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