Verses 1-9
Psalms 113-118 constitute the "Egyptian Hallel." The designation "Egyptian Hallel" originated because of the emphasis on Egypt in Psalms 114. Hallel is the imperative singular form of the Hebrew word (lit. praise, cf. Hallelujah) and is a command to praise. The Jews sang the "Egyptian Hallel" (113-118) and the "Great Hallel" (120-136), two collections of psalms, at the three yearly feasts that all the males had to attend: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. Most of the "Great Hallel" psalms are pilgrimage songs. The Jews also used these psalms on other holy days, including their new moon festivals. At Passover it was customary to sing Psalms 113, 114 before the meal and 115-118 and 136 after it (cf. Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26). A third collection of Hallel psalms (146-150) was incorporated into the daily prayers of synagogue worship after the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.
"There was more relevance in these psalms to the Exodus-the greater Exodus-than could be guessed in Old Testament times." [Note: Kidner, Psalms 73-150, p. 401.]
This psalm of descriptive praise calls on God’s servants to praise Him because, even though He occupies an exalted position, He has humbled Himself to lift up the lowly (cf. Philippians 2:7). It expresses thoughts similar to Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10) and Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55). [Note: J. J. Stewart Perown, The Book of Psalms , 2:322.]
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