Psalm 113

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 113:6

Who humbleth himself ... - So high that it is necessary he should stoop even to behold the things which seem most lofty to us; and who actually does stoop thus to regard the things which he has made in heaven and on earth.To behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! - More literally, “to look in heaven and in earth.” Even to look on heaven, high as it is to us - still more to look on earth, so insignificant as compared with the vast bodies in the heavens - is condescension on the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 113:7

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust - From the most humble condition in life. He exalts them to conditions of wealth, rank, honor. He has power to do this; he actually does it. This is not intended to be affirmed as a universal truth, or to assert that it is always done, but that it is among the things which show his majesty, his power, and his goodness, and which lay the foundation for praise.And lifteth the needy out of the dunghill - From the condition of lowest poverty. Instances are... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 113:8

That he may set him with princes - May give him a rank - a position - with nobles and great people upon the earth. Many instances of this nature have occurred in the history of the world. Not a few of the nobles of England, including several of its lord chancellors, have been raised thus from very humble life; and in every nation God shows that he has power to give to those of humblest rank a name and place which no hereditary titles and honors can bestow: thus Shakespeare was the son of a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 113:9

He maketh the barren woman to keep house ... - Margin, as in Hebrew, “to dwell in a house.” That is, to be at the head of a family. See the notes at Psalms 68:6. Compare 1 Samuel 2:5. This, too, is suggested as a reason why God should be praised and adored. In instances where all hope of posterity is cut off, he interposes, and diffuses joy through a dwelling. We may look abroad, and see abundant occasion for praising God, in his condescension to human affairs - in his lifting up the poor from... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 113

A.M. 2962. B.C. 1042. This and the five following Psalms the Jews termed, הלל , hallel, or, the great hallel, from הללו יה , hallelujah, the first word of this Psalm. They were used at the feasts of the new moons, and on other festival solemnities, and especially on the paschal night, when they were sung, or rather recited, or chanted, at their tables, after they had eaten the paschal lamb. To this custom, as the evangelists have informed us, (Matthew 26:30 ; Mark 14:26 ,) our Lord and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 113:1-3

Psalms 113:1-3. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord Ye Levites, who are peculiarly devoted to this solemn work, and sometimes termed God’s servants, in a special sense, and all you faithful souls. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time, &c. Let not the work of praising God die with us, but let those that come after us praise him; yea, let him be praised through all the generations of time, and let us and all his saints praise him in eternity. From the rising of the sun, ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 113:4-6

Psalms 113:4-6. The Lord is high above all nations Superior to all princes and bodies of people in the world; and his glory above the heavens Whereas the glory of earthly monarchs is confined to this lower world, and to small pittances of it, the glory of God doth not only fill the earth, but heaven too, where it is celebrated by thousands and myriads of blessed angels; yea, it is far higher than heaven, being infinite and incomprehensible, Who is like unto the Lord? Hebrew, Jehovah,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 113:7-8

Psalms 113:7-8. He raiseth up the poor Yet, great and glorious as he is, he stoops so low as to regard and advance those whom all men, even their own brethren, slight and despise; out of the dust, &c. From a most contemptible and miserable condition; that he may set him with princes In equal honour and power with them, as he did Joseph, David, and others; even with the princes of his people, who, in God’s account, and in truth, are far more honourable and happy than the princes of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 113:9

Psalms 113:9. He maketh the barren woman to keep house Hebrew, מושׁיבי הבית , moshibi habaith, to dwell in a house, or family, or among children, namely, born of her. In the sacred history of the Old Testament, we find many instances of barren women, who were miraculously made to bear children. Isaac, Joseph, Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist were thus born of mothers who had been barren. “These examples,” says Dr. Horne, “may be considered as preludes to that marvellous exertion... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 113:1-9

Psalms 113-114 When hope seems gonePsalms 113:0 to 118 form a collection called the Hallel. Israelites sang the Hallel at various annual festivals, the most important of which was the Passover. They sang Psalms 113:0 and 114 before eating the meal, and Psalms 115:0 to 118 after (cf. Matthew 26:30).From east to west, now and for ever, God is worthy to be worshipped by those who serve him (113:1-4). Although he is enthroned in the highest place, he is concerned about his creatures on earth (5-6).... read more

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 113:6

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 113:7

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 113:8

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 113:9

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 113

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 113:1-3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 113:4-6

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 113:7-8

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 113:9

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 113:1-9

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