Psa 113:2 | KingComments | STEP | Psalm 111 is a song of praise about the deeds of God in redemption. Psalm 112 is a song of praise about the blessing of God upon the God-fearing. Psalm 113 is a song of praise about the glory of the LORD toward afflicted people. Psalm 113 is the first of a series of psalms (Psalms 113-118) called hallel-psalms or thanksgiving psalms. They are sung at the great feasts – Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Booths ( ; ). In Psalm 113, the LORD is sung about in His incomparable greatness and exaltation ( ) and in the deep condescension of His love to the afflicted ( ). We find this in the praise of Hannah ( ) and in the praise of Mary ( ). In Hannah we see the barren ( ) and in Mary the poor and needy ( ). The middle, the center, is the question posed in : “Who is like the LORD, our God?” This is the theme of this psalm. We as creatures know limits, we are limited in time and space. We know length, breadth, height and depth. The LORD cannot be measured, His glory knows no bounds: His length: to eternity ( ). His breadth: from the rising of the sun to its setting ( ). His height: high above all nations … above the heavens ( ). His depth: looking far below in the heavens and on the earth ( ). It brings to mind what we read in the letter to the Ephesians: “That you … may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God” ( ). This can only be followed by everlasting worship: “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him [be] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” ( ). The psalm begins with the exclamation “praise the LORD”, or “hallelujah”, which is at the same time a call to praise Him ( ). The “servants of the LORD” are particularly encouraged to praise the LORD. By this is meant the whole people ( ) and in particular the Levites and the priests. After the suffering of the Servant of the LORD in Isaiah 53, we also find in Isaiah 54-66 mention of the servants of the LORD as an indication of the faithful remnant of Israel, those who fear the LORD. These servants of the LORD are the results of the LORD’s deeds in Psalm 111. In Psalm 112 we find the blessings of the LORD upon these servants of the LORD. And now here in Psalm 113 we find the glory of the LORD upon these servants of the LORD. The first task that servants are to perform is to praise “the Name of the LORD”. His Name implies all that He is. That Name is to be praised, not just now and then, on certain occasions, but always, “from this time forth and forever” ( ) and everywhere, “from the rising of the sun to its setting” ( ). It means it has to happen through all generations and that the now living generation must begin to do so. They can begin doing so because they are now cleansed and have a new heart ( ). There must be continuity in praise through the ages. Each generation must live in awe of that Name. If that awe is there, if He is acknowledged in His majesty and exaltation, His Name will be praised. That Name must be praised, not only here and there in Israel, but everywhere on earth, “from the rising of the sun to its setting” ( ; ). There must be continuity in praise throughout the earth ( ). The praise must run with the sun. It also means that we praise Him all day long, from sunrise to sunset. “The name of the LORD”, an expression mentioned here three times, is to be hallowed and praised. The name “LORD” indicates that this is particularly about His covenant relationship with His people. This should give God’s people, as His servants, extra encouragement to praise ( ).

‏ Psalms 113:2

Introduction

Psalm 111 is a song of praise about the deeds of God in redemption. Psalm 112 is a song of praise about the blessing of God upon the God-fearing. Psalm 113 is a song of praise about the glory of the LORD toward afflicted people.

Psalm 113 is the first of a series of psalms (Psalms 113-118) called hallel-psalms or thanksgiving psalms. They are sung at the great feasts – Passover, Pentecost, and Feast of Booths (Mt 26:30; Mk 14:26).

In Psalm 113, the LORD is sung about in His incomparable greatness and exaltation (Psa 113:1-4) and in the deep condescension of His love to the afflicted (Psa 113:5-9). We find this in the praise of Hannah (1Sam 2:1-10) and in the praise of Mary (Lk 1:46-55). In Hannah we see the barren (Psa 113:9) and in Mary the poor and needy (Psa 113:7).

The middle, the center, is the question posed in Psa 113:5: “Who is like the LORD, our God?” This is the theme of this psalm.

We as creatures know limits, we are limited in time and space. We know length, breadth, height and depth. The LORD cannot be measured, His glory knows no bounds:

His length: to eternity (Psa 113:2).

His breadth: from the rising of the sun to its setting (Psa 113:3).

His height: high above all nations … above the heavens (Psa 113:4).

His depth: looking far below in the heavens and on the earth (Psa 113:6-9).

It brings to mind what we read in the letter to the Ephesians: “That you … may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God” (Eph 3:17b-19). This can only be followed by everlasting worship: “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him [be] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen” (Eph 3:20-21).

Encouragement to Praise the LORD

The psalm begins with the exclamation “praise the LORD”, or “hallelujah”, which is at the same time a call to praise Him (Psa 113:1). The “servants of the LORD” are particularly encouraged to praise the LORD. By this is meant the whole people (Exo 19:6) and in particular the Levites and the priests.

After the suffering of the Servant of the LORD in Isaiah 53, we also find in Isaiah 54-66 mention of the servants of the LORD as an indication of the faithful remnant of Israel, those who fear the LORD. These servants of the LORD are the results of the LORD’s deeds in Psalm 111. In Psalm 112 we find the blessings of the LORD upon these servants of the LORD. And now here in Psalm 113 we find the glory of the LORD upon these servants of the LORD.

The first task that servants are to perform is to praise “the Name of the LORD”. His Name implies all that He is. That Name is to be praised, not just now and then, on certain occasions, but always, “from this time forth and forever” (Psa 113:2) and everywhere, “from the rising of the sun to its setting” (Psa 113:3).

It means it has to happen through all generations and that the now living generation must begin to do so. They can begin doing so because they are now cleansed and have a new heart (Eze 36:25-26). There must be continuity in praise through the ages. Each generation must live in awe of that Name. If that awe is there, if He is acknowledged in His majesty and exaltation, His Name will be praised.

That Name must be praised, not only here and there in Israel, but everywhere on earth, “from the rising of the sun to its setting” (Zep 2:11b; Mal 1:11). There must be continuity in praise throughout the earth (Psa 50:1). The praise must run with the sun. It also means that we praise Him all day long, from sunrise to sunset.

“The name of the LORD”, an expression mentioned here three times, is to be hallowed and praised. The name “LORD” indicates that this is particularly about His covenant relationship with His people. This should give God’s people, as His servants, extra encouragement to praise (Exo 3:16).