Psalms 113
BSB1 Hallelujah! Give praise, O servants of the LORD; praise the name of the LORD. 2 Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forevermore. 3 From where the sun rises to where it sets, the name of the LORD is praised. 4 The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high? 6 He humbles Himself to behold the heavens and the earth. 7 He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the dump 8 to seat them with nobles, with the princes of His people. 9 He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!
Study Notes — Psalms 113
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Psalms 113
- Themes from Psalms 113
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Psalms 113
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Psalms 113 begins by calling all servants of the Lord to praise His name, from the rising of the sun to its setting. It highlights God's unique position as the one who is high above all nations, with His glory above the heavens. The psalm then moves to describe God's ability to lift the poor and needy from the dust and ashes, setting them among princes and making them inherit a throne of glory. The chapter concludes with a statement of God's power to give children to the barren woman, making her a joyful mother of children. Key verses include Psalms 113:4-5, which emphasize God's exaltation above all nations and His condescension to the heavens and the earth.
Context for the Chapter
Psalms 113 is part of the Book of Psalms, a collection of poems and songs that express a wide range of emotions and thoughts about God and His relationship with humanity. The chapter is one of the Hallel psalms, which were sung during Jewish festivals and celebrations. In the larger biblical narrative, Psalms 113 points to God's power and majesty, which are fully revealed in Jesus Christ and are the foundation for the Christian faith.
Heart Application
The chapter encourages believers to praise God for His greatness and majesty, to trust in His power and goodness, and to have confidence in His ability to deliver and provide. This can be applied in our lives by prioritizing worship and adoration, seeking to understand and experience God's power and majesty, and trusting in His care and compassion for those in need.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Psalms 113 is a psalm that calls believers to praise God for His greatness and majesty. It emphasizes God's power and ability to lift the poor and needy from their lowly state, and encourages believers to trust in God's power and goodness. As seen in Psalms 113:4-5, God is exalted above all nations and His glory is above the heavens, demonstrating His unique position and power.
Voices from the Church
“The Lord is high above all nations, and His glory is above the heavens; let us, therefore, extol Him with all our might, and let our praise be as constant as the sun.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The psalmist calls upon all the servants of the Lord to praise His name, from the rising of the sun to its setting; this is a call to universal worship, and emphasizes the importance of praising God throughout the day.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Call to Praise (Psalms 113:1-3) — The psalm begins with a call to all servants of the Lord to praise His name, from the rising of the sun to its setting. This emphasizes the universal nature of worship and the importance of praising God throughout the day.
- God's Power and Majesty (Psalms 113:4-5) — The chapter highlights God's power and majesty, emphasizing His unique position as the one who is exalted above all nations and whose glory is above the heavens.
- God's Care for the Poor and Needy (Psalms 113:6-8) — The psalm describes God's ability to lift the poor and needy from the dust and ashes, setting them among princes and making them inherit a throne of glory. This emphasizes God's care and compassion for those in need.
- God's Power to Give Children (Psalms 113:9) — The chapter concludes with a statement of God's power to give children to the barren woman, making her a joyful mother of children. This demonstrates God's power and goodness in providing for those in need.
- Conclusion — The psalm encourages believers to praise God for His greatness and majesty, to trust in His power and goodness, and to have confidence in His ability to deliver and provide.
Core Doctrines
- The Sovereignty of God
- Psalms 113 emphasizes God's power and majesty, highlighting His unique position as the one who is exalted above all nations and whose glory is above the heavens. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and control over all things.
- The Providence of God
- The chapter describes God's care and compassion for those in need, emphasizing His ability to lift the poor and needy from their lowly state. This demonstrates God's providence and goodness in providing for those in need.
- The Importance of Worship
- The psalm calls believers to praise God for His greatness and majesty, emphasizing the importance of worship and adoration. This highlights the need for believers to prioritize worship and to seek to understand and experience God's power and majesty.
- The Goodness of God
- The chapter emphasizes God's goodness and care for those in need, demonstrating His power and goodness in providing for those in need. This highlights the importance of trusting in God's goodness and having confidence in His ability to deliver and provide.
Lessons from Psalms 113
- The Importance of Worship — The psalm calls believers to praise God for His greatness and majesty, emphasizing the importance of worship and adoration. This highlights the need for believers to prioritize worship and to seek to understand and experience God's power and majesty.
- God's Care for the Poor and Needy — The chapter describes God's ability to lift the poor and needy from the dust and ashes, setting them among princes and making them inherit a throne of glory. This emphasizes God's care and compassion for those in need.
- The Power of God — The psalm highlights God's power and majesty, emphasizing His unique position as the one who is exalted above all nations and whose glory is above the heavens. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and control over all things.
- The Goodness of God — The chapter emphasizes God's goodness and care for those in need, demonstrating His power and goodness in providing for those in need. This highlights the importance of trusting in God's goodness and having confidence in His ability to deliver and provide.
- The Importance of Trust — The psalm encourages believers to trust in God's power and goodness, emphasizing the importance of faith and confidence in God's ability to deliver and provide.
Themes from Psalms 113
- Praise and Worship — The psalm calls believers to praise God for His greatness and majesty, emphasizing the importance of worship and adoration. This highlights the need for believers to prioritize worship and to seek to understand and experience God's power and majesty.
- God's Power and Majesty — The chapter highlights God's power and majesty, emphasizing His unique position as the one who is exalted above all nations and whose glory is above the heavens. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and control over all things.
- God's Care for the Poor and Needy — The psalm describes God's ability to lift the poor and needy from the dust and ashes, setting them among princes and making them inherit a throne of glory. This emphasizes God's care and compassion for those in need.
- The Goodness of God — The chapter emphasizes God's goodness and care for those in need, demonstrating His power and goodness in providing for those in need. This highlights the importance of trusting in God's goodness and having confidence in His ability to deliver and provide.
- The Importance of Trust — The psalm encourages believers to trust in God's power and goodness, emphasizing the importance of faith and confidence in God's ability to deliver and provide.
Questions for Meditation
- What does the psalm mean by calling all servants of the Lord to praise His name from the rising of the sun to its setting?
- How does the chapter describe God's power and majesty?
- What does the psalm say about God's care for the poor and needy?
- How does the chapter encourage believers to trust in God's power and goodness?
- What does the psalm say about God's power to give children to the barren woman?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Call to Praise (Psalms 113:1-3)
| 113:1 | The psalm begins with a call to all servants of the Lord to praise His name, from the rising of the sun to its setting. This emphasizes the universal nature of worship and the importance of praising God throughout the day. |
| 113:2 | The psalmist calls upon all the servants of the Lord to bless the name of the Lord, from this time forth and forevermore. This emphasizes the importance of worship and adoration. |
| 113:3 | The psalmist calls upon all the servants of the Lord to praise the name of the Lord, from the rising of the sun to its setting. This emphasizes the universal nature of worship and the importance of praising God throughout the day. |
2. God's Power and Majesty (Psalms 113:4-5)
| 113:4 | The psalmist describes God's power and majesty, emphasizing His unique position as the one who is exalted above all nations and whose glory is above the heavens. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and control over all things. |
| 113:5 | The psalmist emphasizes God's glory, which is above the heavens. This highlights God's power and majesty, and emphasizes the importance of worship and adoration. |
3. God's Care for the Poor and Needy (Psalms 113:6-8)
| 113:6 | The psalmist describes God's ability to lift the poor and needy from the dust and ashes, setting them among princes and making them inherit a throne of glory. This emphasizes God's care and compassion for those in need. |
| 113:7 | The psalmist emphasizes God's power to lift the poor and needy from their lowly state, setting them among princes and making them inherit a throne of glory. This demonstrates God's care and compassion for those in need. |
| 113:8 | The psalmist concludes the description of God's care for the poor and needy, emphasizing His power and goodness in providing for those in need. This highlights the importance of trusting in God's goodness and having confidence in His ability to deliver and provide. |
4. God's Power to Give Children (Psalms 113:9)
| 113:9 | The psalmist concludes the psalm with a statement of God's power to give children to the barren woman, making her a joyful mother of children. This demonstrates God's power and goodness in providing for those in need. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main theme of Psalms 113?
The main theme of Psalms 113 is the call to praise God for His greatness and majesty, emphasizing the importance of worship and adoration. As seen in Psalms 113:1-3, the psalm begins with a call to all servants of the Lord to praise His name, from the rising of the sun to its setting.
How does the chapter describe God's power and majesty?
The chapter describes God's power and majesty, emphasizing His unique position as the one who is exalted above all nations and whose glory is above the heavens. As seen in Psalms 113:4-5, God is high above all nations, and His glory is above the heavens.
What does the psalm say about God's care for the poor and needy?
The psalm describes God's ability to lift the poor and needy from the dust and ashes, setting them among princes and making them inherit a throne of glory. As seen in Psalms 113:7-8, God lifts the poor from the dust and sets them with princes, making them inherit a throne of glory.
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 113:1 → Psalms 100:1 | Both Psalms 113:1 and Psalms 100:1 call believers to praise God, emphasizing the importance of worship and adoration. |
| 2 | Psalms 113:4 → Isaiah 57:15 | Both Psalms 113:4 and Isaiah 57:15 describe God's power and majesty, emphasizing His unique position as the one who is exalted above all nations and whose glory is above the heavens. |
| 3 | Psalms 113:7 → 1 Samuel 2:8 | Both Psalms 113:7 and 1 Samuel 2:8 describe God's ability to lift the poor and needy from their lowly state, emphasizing His care and compassion for those in need. |
| 4 | Psalms 113:9 → Genesis 21:1-3 | Both Psalms 113:9 and Genesis 21:1-3 describe God's power to give children to the barren woman, demonstrating His power and goodness in providing for those in need. |
| 5 | Psalms 113:1 → Revelation 19:5 | Both Psalms 113:1 and Revelation 19:5 call believers to praise God, emphasizing the importance of worship and adoration in the context of God's ultimate triumph over evil. |
| 6 | Psalms 113:4 → Hebrews 1:3 | Both Psalms 113:4 and Hebrews 1:3 describe God's power and majesty, emphasizing His unique position as the one who is exalted above all nations and whose glory is above the heavens. |
| 7 | Psalms 113:7 → Matthew 25:31-46 | Both Psalms 113:7 and Matthew 25:31-46 describe God's care for the poor and needy, emphasizing the importance of caring for those in need as a fundamental aspect of discipleship. |
| 8 | Psalms 113:9 → Galatians 4:27 | Both Psalms 113:9 and Galatians 4:27 describe God's power to give children to the barren woman, demonstrating His power and goodness in providing for those in need and highlighting the theme of spiritual rebirth and redemption. |
| 9 | Psalms 113:1 → Luke 1:46-55 | Both Psalms 113:1 and Luke 1:46-55 call believers to praise God, emphasizing the importance of worship and adoration in the context of God's salvation and redemption. |
| 10 | Psalms 113:4 → Romans 11:33 | Both Psalms 113:4 and Romans 11:33 describe God's power and majesty, emphasizing His unique position as the one who is exalted above all nations and whose glory is above the heavens, and highlighting the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge. |
Sermons on Psalms 113
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Jesus' Victory Over the Powers of Darkness by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal testimony of their transformation from being involved in witchcraft to becoming a believer in God. They describe a powerful encounter |
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(The Lord - Merciful and Gracious) 3. the Lord on the Side of the Poor and Needy by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the speaker begins by describing the dramatic and thunderous opening of the sermon, comparing it to the witches in Hammett's play. The speaker then mentions a beaut |
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(2 Samuel) Doing Things God's Way by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of Uzzah and the Ark of the Covenant. Uzzah reaches out to steady the Ark when it hits a rock, but God strikes him down for his erro |
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Prayers (Compilations) by Compilations | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a broken heart and seeing people the way God sees them. He mentions that when our hearts are broken, we are able to |
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The Home by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of setting a godly example in the home. They highlight the influence parents have on their children's lives and how their acti |
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Prayers (Voice) by Compilations | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a broken heart and trusting in God. He expresses gratitude for the redemption of souls and acknowledges God's compa |
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God's Beautiful Heart: Gladness and Humility by Mike Bickle | Mike Bickle emphasizes the beauty of God's heart, focusing on His gladness and humility. He explains that God's primary emotion towards believers is gladness, countering the common |
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Breaking Barrenness by E.A. Adeboye | E.A. Adeboye preaches on the story of Hannah from 1 Samuel, highlighting how she turned her barrenness into fruitfulness through faith, sacrifice, and aligning her motives with God |
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A Pilgrimage to Secure Boundaries by Jack Hayford | Jack Hayford shares about a pilgrimage to Israel where a prayer team engaged in prophetic prayer, building altars at the North, South, East, and West boundaries of the nation. Each |
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Exposition on Psalm 114 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches on the significance of the events in the Bible, such as the crossing of the River Jordan, as both historical accounts and prophetic symbols for future genera |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Psalms 113
Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms 113 emphasizes the importance of praising God for His greatness and majesty. He notes that the psalm calls believers to praise God from the rising of the sun to its setting, emphasizing the universal nature of worship and the importance of praising God throughout the day. Henry also highlights God's power and majesty, noting that He is exalted above all nations and His glory is above the heavens. He emphasizes God's care and compassion for the poor and needy, describing how God lifts them from the dust and ashes and sets them among princes. Finally, Henry concludes by noting God's power to give children to the barren woman, demonstrating His power and goodness in providing for those in need. As Henry notes, this psalm is a call to worship and adoration, and a reminder of God's power and majesty, which are fully revealed in Jesus Christ. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Universal Call to Praise
The psalm begins with a call to all servants of the Lord to praise His name, from the rising of the sun to its setting. This emphasizes the universal nature of worship and the importance of praising God throughout the day.
God's Power and Majesty
The chapter highlights God's power and majesty, emphasizing His ability to lift the poor and needy and to give children to the barren woman. This demonstrates God's care and compassion for those in need.
The Importance of Trust
The psalm encourages believers to trust in God's power and goodness, emphasizing the importance of faith and confidence in God's ability to deliver and provide.