Praise the Lord, who is high above all and kind to the lowly

113:1 Praise the Lord! Praise, you servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! 113:2 May the Lord’s name be praised now and forevermore! 113:3 From east to west the Lord’s name is deserving of praise. 113:4 The Lord is exalted over all the nations; his splendor reaches beyond the sky. 113:5 Who can compare to the Lord our God, who sits on a high throne? 113:6 He bends down to look at the sky and the earth. 113:7 He raises the poor from the dirt, and lifts up the needy from the garbage pile, 113:8 that he might seat him with princes, with the princes of his people. 113:9 He makes the barren woman of the family a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord! Psalm 114

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Psalm 113 calls God’s servants to praise the Lord continually because he is above all nations and the heavens, yet he bends down to help the poor and needy. The one who rules far above all still shows mercy to the weak. His greatness is seen in his compassion.

This psalm is a call to worship. It begins and ends with praise to the Lord. God’s servants are told to bless his name now and forever, from one end of the earth to the other.

The reason for this praise is God’s greatness. He is exalted over all nations. No one can compare to him. He sits on a high throne, yet he is not far away in mercy. He bends down to look at heaven and earth.

The same Lord who rules above all also helps the weak. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap. He can give them honor among princes. He also gives children to the barren woman and turns sorrow into joy.

This does not mean every believer will always receive status, position, or children. But it does show God’s heart: he is majestic, wise, and full of mercy. The right response is praise.

• The Lord’s name is to be praised continually.
• God is above all nations and above the heavens.
• No one compares to the Lord our God.
• The Lord still sees and attends to the world he made.
• He raises the poor and needy from lowly places.
• He can reverse shame and bring honor.
• He gives joy and children to the barren woman.
• Praise is the proper response to God’s character.

• Praise the Lord.
• Bless his name now and forever.
• Do not assume this psalm promises every believer immediate prosperity, promotion, or fertility.
• Do not measure God’s favor by worldly status.

Psalm 113 belongs to Israel’s worship and praises the Lord as the covenant God who rules over all the earth. It fits the Bible’s larger pattern of God exalting the lowly and showing mercy to the weak.

Praise God steadily, not only when life goes well. Remember that all honor comes from the Lord, so remain humble. Take comfort if you are overlooked, weak, poor, or sorrowful, because the Lord sees and cares. Worship him for who he is, not only for what he gives.

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