Introduction
This psalm is the first of the Hallel, or Praise Psalms, embracing Psalms 113-118, and selected to be sung at the three great festivals of the Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The word means praise, and, excepting Psalms 115, 118, the hallel psalms begin or end with hallelujah! for which Psalms 118:0 substitutes yahdah, or the thanksgiving form, Psalms 118:1; Psalms 118:29. In distinction from the hallel, “ Psalms 136:0, with its ‘For his mercy endureth for ever,’ repeated twenty-six times, bears the name of the Great Hallel.” Delitzsch.
The divisions of the psalm before us are simple. The psalm is an invitation to praise Jehovah: first, for his glory and majesty, (Psalms 113:4-5;) secondly, for his condescending goodness, which delights in raising the lowly to honour and happiness, (Psalms 113:6-9.) For the probable occasion see the notes.
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