February 23
Reading: Psalm 113
1 Praise the LORD!
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD!
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the LORD is to be praised!
4 The LORD is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the LORD our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the LORD!
Like the previous two psalms, Psalm 113 begins with “Halleluia.” Like the previous two psalms, Psalm 113 is a song worshipping God. But this psalm is vastly different in purpose and structure.
Psalm 113 is the first song in the Egyptian Hallel, Psalms 113-118. These six songs were and are used every year during the Passover to commemorate Yahweh’s salvation of Israel from Egypt. Thus, Psalm 113 opens and closes with “Halleluiah.”
Psalm 113 opens the Egyptian Hallel with a very poignant message about Yahweh, the Lord. The first part of the psalm (vss. 1-4) praises the Lord for one thing, that Yahweh “is high above the heavens.” The last part of the psalm (vss. 7-9) praises the Lord for something else, that Yahweh raises up the lowly.
In between the beginning section and the ending section is a question. (vss. 5-6) This question is the key to unlocking the meaning of the psalm.
“Who is like Yahweh Elohim?” (vs. 5) The implied answer is that no one is like Him. Why? What is it about God that no other god is like? The Lord God “is seated on high.” No one sits higher, no god, no king, no president, no athlete, no one. And yet, He “looks far down.” God notices the lowly, the poor, the needy, the woman without children or a home. God is high, but not aloof. He condescends. He cares. He sees. He listens. He is high and mighty over all the earth, and He knows the sufferings of the downtrodden.
Yahweh is the one who heard Hagar’s weeping in the wilderness. (Genesis 16-17) He is the one who cared for Tamar when no one else would. (Genesis 38) He is the one who heard Hannah’s prayers. (1 Samuel 1-2) I love it that God is like this. It makes me love Him all the more.