Biblical Commentary:What does Psalm chapter 113 mean?
Chapter Context
Psalms 113—118 are known as "the Egyptian Hallel." This collection was used at celebrations such as Passover (Matthew 26:30), which remembered Israel's rescue from Egyptian slavery (Psalm 114:1). The term "Hallelujah" comes from the Hebrew combination of halal and Yah, or halelu-yāh, typically translated as "praise the LORD!" The words of Psalm 136, or sometimes Psalms 120—136, are referred to as "the Great Hallel" for similar reasons.
What does Psalm chapter 113 mean?
This psalm is one of several used at major celebrations, such as the feasts of Passover or Tabernacles. It prominently features the Hebrew word
halelu-yāh. This combination literally refers to "praise" and "God [Yahweh]," and is typically rendered in English as "hallelujah."
God's people are called to worship Him eternally and at all times. God's "name" is emphasized. This means more than the syllables or symbols used to identify the Lord. His "name" represents His reputation and character. To praise and honor the name of the Lord means acknowledging all that He is (Psalm 113:1–3).
Reasons to honor the name of the Lord include His sovereign nature. This means that God is the absolute and unquestioned master of all. He is the Creator who sits "above" His creation and is not subject to it. Other Old Testament writings (Isaiah 40:22; 55:8–9; Psalm 95:3) also emphasize God's unquestioned supremacy (Psalm 113:4–6).
The Lord is also kind and loving to those He has created. Those fallen into dirt represent the defeated and suffering (Amos 2:7). Ashes were often used to represent mourning (Job 2:8; Jonah 3:6; Jeremiah 6:26). Barren women, in the Old Testament era, were looked on with pity and had few hopes of a secure future. Rather than simply allowing creation to unwind itself, the Lord God chooses to interact with mankind. This often means rescuing us from dire circumstances. Verses 7 and 8 echo similar a similar statement from 1 Samuel 2:8, which also relates to a barren woman who eventually has a child (1 Samuel 1:2, 22). These are reasons to honor and worship His name (Psalm 113:7–9).
