An exhortation to praise God for his excellency, 1-5; for his mercy, 6-9.
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 the going down of the same,/
the LORD'S name 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 dwells on high,
6 Who humbles himself to behold/
the things that are in heaven and in the earth?
7 He raises the poor out of the dust/
and lifts the needy out of the dunghill,
8 So that he may set him with princes,/
even with the princes of his people.
9 He makes the barren woman to keep house/
and to be a joyful mother of children./
Praise the LORD.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 113[➚]
John Calvin's Chapter Summary:
In this psalm the providence of God furnishes matter for praising him, because, though his excellency is far above the heavens, nevertheless, he deigns to cast his eyes upon the earth to take notice of mankind. And as not a few are disconcerted by the vicissitudes which they behold occurring in the world, the prophet takes occasion, from these sudden and unlooked for changes, to warn us to attend expressly to God's providence, that we may entertain no doubt that all things are governed according to his will and pleasure.