Every verse here opens — tap a number for what that one means.
1Hallelujah! Give praise, O servants of the LORD; praise the name of the LORD.
2Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forevermore.
3From where the sun rises to where it sets, the name of the LORD is praised.
4The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens.
5Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high?
6He humbles Himself to behold the heavens and the earth.
7He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the dump
8to seat them with nobles, with the princes of His people.
9He settles the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother to her children. Hallelujah!
Commentary
Psalm 113, explained
What Psalm 113 is saying
Psalm 113 opens the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113–118), the collection sung at Passover and major festivals. The psalm celebrates YHWH's transcendence—enthroned above the heavens—and His condescension—stooping down to raise the poor from the dust and seat them with princes. The barren woman given a home with children echoes Hannah's song (1 Samuel 2).
The background behind it
As the first psalm of the Hallel, it was sung before the Passover meal (the 'hymn' of Matthew 26:30 likely included Psalms 113–118). The Mishnah (Pesachim 10:5–7) prescribes its liturgical placement in the Seder.
Themes running underneath
The psalm's theology centers on the paradox of divine transcendence and immanence: the God who dwells on high is the same God who lifts the needy from the ash heap. This reversal theology—exalting the lowly—becomes programmatic for Mary's Magnificat and the gospel itself.
Why it still matters
This psalm redefines greatness: true power stoops. It challenges communities of faith to reflect God's preferential attention to the marginalized and to recognize that God's most characteristic action is lifting up the overlooked.
Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible — used by permission, Bible Hub.