Psalm 113:3-9

3 ¹From the rising of the sun to its setting, ²the name of the Lord is ³to be praised!

4 The Lord is ⁴high above all nations, and his ⁵glory above the heavens!

5 ⁶Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high,

6 who ⁷looks far down on the heavens and the earth?

7 He ⁸raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

8 to make them ⁹sit with princes, with the princes of his people.

9 He ¹⁰gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. ¹¹Praise the Lord!

Psalm 113:3-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 113

With this psalm begins the great "Hallel", which ends with Psalm 118; and was used to be sung at the Jewish festivals, particularly at the feast of tabernacles and of the passover; and is thought by some to be the hymn sung by Christ and his apostles, after the celebration of the Lord's supper; in which there are many things pertinent to that occasion as well as to the above feasts. This psalm is a song of praise for redemption by Christ, to be sung in Gospel times, when the name of the Lord should be known among all nations, from the rising to the setting sun. It is thought by some to be an abridgment of the song of Hannah, 1Sa 2:1-10, there is an agreement.

Cross References

• 1. 113:3 Ps. 50:1; Isa. 59:19; Mal. 1:11
• 2. 113:3 See Ps. 48:10
• 3. 113:3 See Ps. 18:3
• 4. 113:4 Ps. 99:2
• 5. 113:4 Ps. 8:1; 57:5, 11; 148:13
• 6. 113:5 See Ps. 35:10
• 7. 113:6 See Ps. 11:4; [Ps. 138:6]
• 8. 113:7 [Ps. 136:23]; See Ps. 107:41
• 9. 113:8 [Job 36:7]
• 10. 113:9 Ps. 68:6; 1 Sam. 2:5; [Ex. 1:21; Isa. 54:1]
• 11. 113:9 [See ver. 1 above]