The Bible — World English Bible

Psalm 113

In brief

Psalm 113 opens the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113 to 118), sung at the Jewish Passover. It calls the servants of the Lord to praise his name from sunrise to sunset, then proclaims his greatness above all nations. Yet this God so high stoops down: he lifts the poor from the dust and gives a home to the childless woman. This contrast between his height and his closeness to the humble is the heart of the psalm, which recalls the song of Hannah.

The chapter in 3 parts

  1. v. 1-3May the name of the Lord be praised everywhere and always
  2. v. 4-6A God high above all, who stoops to look
  3. v. 7-9He lifts the poor and gives a home to the childless woman

1Praise Yah! Praise, you servants of Yahweh, praise Yahweh’s name.

2Blessed be Yahweh’s name, from this time forward and forever more.

3From the rising of the sun to its going down, Yahweh’s name is to be praised.

4Yahweh is high above all nations, his glory above the heavens.

5Who is like Yahweh, our God, who has his seat on high,

6Who stoops down to see in heaven and in the earth?

7He raises up the poor out of the dust. Lifts up the needy from the ash heap,

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

9He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother of children. Praise Yah!

Key verses

Verse 3
From the rising of the sun to its going down, Yahweh’s name is to be praised.

Praise has no border and no schedule: from sunrise to sunset, God's name is to be celebrated across the whole earth.

Verse 5-6
Who is like Yahweh, our God, who has his seat on high, Who stoops down to see in heaven and in the earth?

No one is like the Lord. Yet his dwelling on high does not make him distant: he stoops to look on the heavens and the earth.

Verse 7-8
He raises up the poor out of the dust. Lifts up the needy from the ash heap, that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.

God lifts the poor and the needy and seats them with princes. The psalm says that his greatness shows itself in caring for the small.

Verse 9
He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother of children. Praise Yah!

The childless woman becomes a joyful mother. In that time, this meant the end of a humiliation. The verse recalls Sarah, Rebekah, Hannah and Elizabeth.

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What the sermons say

Samson, a Weak Judge: God's Promise Versus Walking by SightJean-Marc Botteron cites verse 9 about the announced birth of Samson: what is a problem for you is none for God, who gives life where everything seems dead.Read the summary →

Frequently asked questions about Psalm 113

What does Psalm 113 mean?

Psalm 113 affirms that the infinitely high God is also close to the humble. It invites us to praise his name at all times and in all places, then gives two reasons: his greatness above the nations and his tenderness toward the poor and the childless. It is one of the psalms sung at Passover.

What is the link between Psalm 113 and the song of Hannah or Mary?

Verse 7 takes up almost word for word 1 Samuel 2:8, in the song of Hannah, who had been childless. The song of Mary, in Luke 1:46-55, also takes up the idea that God lifts up the humble. The three texts celebrate a God who overturns situations of distress.

How can I pray Psalm 113?

Read verses 1 to 3 while blessing God's name aloud. Meditate on his greatness in verses 4 to 6, then think of a situation of humiliation or lack, yours or a loved one's, and bring it to the God who lifts up in verse 7. Finish by praising him with the very words of the psalm.

Articles quoting Psalm 113

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World English Bible translation — public domain.