Psalm 113, Hallel

Like the two psalms before it, this song begins with hal·lū yāh (Hallelujah) meaning "Praise YHWH!" This is the first of six Hallel psalms (Psalms 113-118) that are recited in synagogues at various Jewish holiday (such as Passover.) Kidner suggests that one of these Hallel psalms is the hymn described in Mark 14:26, the night before Jesus is crucified.

Psalm 113:1-2, Everyone in all times, praise God!

Praise the LORD. 

Praise, O servants of the LORD,

praise the name of the LORD.

 Let the name of the LORD be praised, 

both now and forevermore.

The psalm expands on the first hallelujah, insisting that all servants of God praise Him, praising His name both now and forever, for all time.

Psalm 113:3-4, From east to west

 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, 

the name of the LORD is to be praised.

 The LORD is exalted over all the nations, 

his glory above the heavens.

God is to be praised from the far east (where the sun rises) to the far west (where it sets), that is, over all the earth. (See also Malachi 1:11and Psalm 50:1.) He controls the nations and is much higher than the nations or even earth itself. 

Psalm 113:5-6, Stooping down

 Who is like the LORD our God, 

the One who sits enthroned on high,

 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?

The image of God above the heavens, appearing in verse 4, is expanded. God's throne is described as being so high that he has to stoop down to look at heavens and earth.

Psalm 113:7-8, Lifting the poor

 He raises the poor from the dust 

and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

 he seats them with princes, 

with the princes of their people.

As in other psalms, God's creative power is linked to His justice. As He stoops down to observe the earth, He lifts the poor from the dust and "dungheap" (Alter) and puts them among the wealthy princes.

Note the classic synthetic parallelism in verse 7: the poor are raised from the dust; indeed the needy from the garbage pile.

Psalm 113:9a, Caring for the barren woman

 He settles the barren woman in her home 

as a happy mother of children. 

In addition to lifting the poor, God gives the barren woman many children. (In the ancient Near East culture, this was the desire of all women; see Hannah in 1 Samuel 1.

Psalm 113:9b, Hallelujah!

Praise the LORD.

This song begins as it ends, with hal·lū yāh. This song has echoes of Hannah's song in I Samuel 2:1-10.

First published October 21, 2025; updated October 21, 2025