Psalms 113

¹Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.

²Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.

³From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised.

Psa 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 (Psa 5:11; 111:9).

⁴The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.

⁵Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,

⁶Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!

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

⁷He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

⁸That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

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

⁹He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

9. On this special case, compare 1Sa 2:21. Barrenness was regarded as a disgrace, and is a type of a deserted Church (Is 54:1). the barren woman ... house--literally, “the barren of the house,” so that the supplied words may be omitted.