Psalm 113 Study Notes

113:6 The word for stoops down generally means to “humble or abase” (2:4; 18:16). God lowers himself from above the cosmos to consider his creation (33:13).

113:7 Just as the Lord lowers himself to gaze at his creation, so he lifts (lit “raises”) the poor and needy from the dust of the street and the trash heap, or ash pile—an unsanitary place where rubbish and filth were dumped (Jb 2:8; Lm 4:5).

113:8 In a role reversal, the Lord confers royal status to the humble, affirming the equal value of all human beings.

113:9 Barrenness often resulted in shame since the status of a woman was determined by her ability to bear children.