Psalms 113:1-9 - Homiletics

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 that one stands for the other. His name and his character are inseparable; utter his name, and there instantly rise to our thought the attributes which distinguish him; to sing of his Name is not to praise an imaginary or ideal one, but the very Lord God himself. We worship him "with whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning."

II. THE GREATNESS OF HIS GLORY . He manifests his presence, exercises his power, and makes known his goodness

III. THE FACT OF HIS CONDESCENSION . ( Psalms 113:6 .) "He humbleth himself; who casts looks so low;" "and looketh down so deep." However we read it, the idea is that the "Most High God" interests himself in the children of men. He not only is concerned with the progress of our race generally, but he occupies his eternity with the intimate knowledge and practical government of each nation, province, family, individual soul. To the Infinite One nothing can be too small for his regard.

IV. HIS UPLIFTING POWER AND GRACE . ( Psalms 113:7 .) Obviously it could not be expected that every godly man would rise in worldly position; that involves an actual impossibility; nor would that, if it were possible, be a desirable reward of piety. But the good man—who is the faithful, thrifty, reliable man—is very often raised from obscurity to eminence, from lowliness to power. And the constant tendency of Christian worth and virtue is to convert poverty into competence, want into comfort, misery into cheerfulness, despair into peace. Indeed, this last is one of the ordinary and continual effects of piety. In the gospel of Christ, God is lifting up those that have been brought down into a sense of condemnation and shame to the holy and blessed heights of hope and joy. Christianity is everywhere and always an uplifting power.

V. HIS ENRICHING KINDNESS . ( Psalms 113:9 .) We do not sufficiently realize the goodness of God in the domestic enrichment with which he blesses us; in all the love and all the happiness that come from the conjugal, parental, filial, fraternal relationships which his heart has conceived, which his hand is working for us. All these things bring into view—

VI. HIS STRONG CLAIM ON OUR REVERENCE AND PRAISE . As the psalm begins and ends with a "hallelujah" so should our lives, in every part, be encircled with the utterance of heartfelt gratitude.