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Psalm 113

Psalms 113–118 comprise an important unit called the Hallel, which in Hebrew means “praise.” Composed after the exile, these six psalms are recited together by observant Jews during some of the major holidays on the Jewish calendar. The Gospel writers tell us that Jesus and His disciples sang a song following their last meal together, which was the Passover (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26). That may have been the Hallel.

Praise the Eternal!
All of you who call yourselves the children of the Eternal, come and praise His name.
    Lift Him high to the high place in your hearts.

At this moment, and for all the moments yet to come,
    may the Eternal’s name ascend in the hearts of His people.
At every time and in every place
    from the moment the sun rises to the moment the sun sets—
    may the name of the Eternal be high in the hearts of His people.

The Eternal is seated high above every nation.
    His glory fills the skies.

To whom should we compare the Eternal, our God?
    No one.
    From His seat, high above,
He deigns to observe the earth and her thin skies,
    stooping even to see her goings on, far beneath His feet.
He gathers up the poor from their dirt floors,
    pulls the needy from the trash heaps,
And places them among heads of state,
    seated next to the rulers of His people where they cannot be ignored.
Into the home of the childless bride,
    He sends children who are, for her, a cause of happiness beyond measure.
Praise the Eternal!

Psalm 113

Praise the Lord.[a](A)

Praise the Lord, you his servants;(B)
    praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be praised,(C)
    both now and forevermore.(D)
From the rising of the sun(E) to the place where it sets,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The Lord is exalted(F) over all the nations,
    his glory above the heavens.(G)
Who is like the Lord our God,(H)
    the One who sits enthroned(I) on high,(J)
who stoops down to look(K)
    on the heavens and the earth?

He raises the poor(L) from the dust
    and lifts the needy(M) from the ash heap;
he seats them(N) with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
He settles the childless(O) woman in her home
    as a happy mother of children.

Praise the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 113:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 9