Psalm 113:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 113:1-9

In this psalm, I. We are extorted to give glory to God, to give him the glory due to his name. 1. The invitation is very pressing: praise you the Lord, and again and again, Praise him, praise him; blessed be his name, for it is to be praised, Ps. 113:1-3. This intimates, (1.) That it is a necessary and most excellent duty, greatly pleasing to God, and has a large room in religion. (2.) That it is a duty we should much abound in, in which we should be frequently employed and greatly enlarged.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 113:5

Who is like unto the Lord our God ,.... Among the gods of the nations, as Kimchi; or among the angels of heaven, or among any of the mighty monarchs on earth; there is none like him for the perfections of his nature, for his wisdom, power, truth, and faithfulness; for his holiness, justice, goodness, grace, and mercy; who is eternal, unchangeable, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent; nor for the works of his hands, his works of creation, providence, and grace; none ever did the like: and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 113:5

Who is like unto the Lord - Those who are highly exalted are generally unapproachable; they are proud and overbearing; or so surrounded with magnificence and flatterers, that to them the poor have no access; but God, though infinitely exalted, humbleth himself to behold even heaven itself, and much more does he humble himself when he condescends to behold earth and her inhabitants; ( Psalm 113:6 ;). But so does he love his creatures that he rejoices over even the meanest of them to do them... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 113:5

Verse 5 5Who is like unto Jehovah our God The prophet strengthens his position for the celebration of God’s praises, by contrasting the height of his glory and power with his unbounded goodness. Not that his goodness can be separated from his glory; but this distinction is made out of regard to men, who would not be able to endure his majesty, were he not kindly to humble himself, and gently and kindly draw us towards him. The amount is, that God’s dwelling above the heavens, at such a distance... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 113:1-9

The composition falls into three stanzas of three verses each. In the first ( Psalms 113:1-3 ) the servants of the Lord are called upon to praise him. In the second ( Psalms 113:4-6 ) God is praised in the heavens, with respect to his glory there. In the third ( Psalms 113:7-9 ) he is eulogized in respect of his great doings upon the earth. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 113:1-9

Reasons for reverential praise. The force of the psalmist's summons in the opening verse is felt as we proceed through the psalm itself, and when we reach the end of it; for there are brought out— I. THE CONSTANCY OF GOD 'S GOODNESS . In no less than three verses (1-3) the Lord's Name is put for himself. This is significant of the Divine constancy. The name of the Lord is never dissociated from the same class of thoughts and deeds. It is so invariably connected with these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 113:5

Who is like unto the Lord our God ? (comp. Psalms 89:6 ; Isaiah 40:18 , Isaiah 40:25 ). The highest created being does not approach within anything but an immeasurable distance of God. Who dwelleth on high ; or, "who sitteth enthroned on high." read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 113:5

Likenesses to God. "Who is like unto the Lord our God?" The precise point here may be thus expressed: "Who as he combines majesty with condescension?" Both heaven and earth, glorious and wonderful though they are, are alike immeasurably below the majesty of God. The psalmist evidently has the idolatry in mind which seeks for suggestions of God's figure either in heaven or in earth. No fitting ones can be found. They are all made things; and the maker is always grander than the things he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 113:5-8

The Divine nature and character. "Who is like unto the Lord our God," etc.? The views we form of God's nature and character are of the highest importance. I. GOD 'S INCOMPARABLE MAJESTY . (See the fortieth chapter of Isaiah.) But his moral greater than his physical greatness. II. GOD 'S CONDESCENSION . "Humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth." Displays a deep and everlasting interest in the works of his hands. 1. Great men stoop to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 113:5

Who is like unto the Lord our God? - Who can be compared with Yahweh our God? See the notes at Isaiah 40:17-25. The meaning is, that no creature - no idol - can be compared with Yahweh. The remark here has special reference to his attributes as immediately specified - his humbling himself to behold the things in heaven and in earth; his raising up the poor, etc. It is true “in general,” in regard to God, that no creature can be compared with him; it is true, in regard to each one of his... read more

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