Christianity
Psalms 113From the Rising of the Sun
Summary
Psalm 113 opens the Hallel, the group of Psalms 113 to 118 sung in Jewish worship at major festivals. It calls the servants of the LORD to praise his name from this time forth and from the rising of the sun to its going down. God is high above all nations and the heavens, yet he humbles himself to look upon the earth, raising the poor from the dust to sit with princes and making the barren woman a joyful mother of children.
Key verse
“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’s name is to be praised.”
Psalms 113:3
Themes
- Universal Praise
- God's Transcendence
- Care for the Lowly
- Reversal of Fortune
Text
Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.
Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’s name is to be praised.
The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.
Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.
Across traditions
Christianity
1 Samuel 2: The Song of HannahHannah's song in 1 Samuel 2:8 shares almost the same words about God raising the poor from the dust and the beggar from the dunghill to sit among princes, and Hannah, once barren, embodies Psalm 113:9.
Judaism
Psalm 113 in the JPS 1917 TanakhPsalm 113 begins Hallel, recited on Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, Hanukkah and new moons. At the Passover Seder, Psalms 113 and 114 are sung before the meal and the rest of Hallel after it.
Questions about Psalms 113
What is the Hallel?
Hallel, Hebrew for praise, is the name for Psalms 113 to 118 recited together on Jewish festivals and new moons. It is sometimes called the Egyptian Hallel because Psalm 114 recalls the exodus from Egypt.
What does 'he maketh the barren woman to keep house' mean?
Psalm 113:9 says God gives the childless woman a household and makes her a joyful mother. It recalls biblical women such as Sarah, Rachel and Hannah, whose long-awaited children were seen as God's gifts.