Psalms 113
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Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto 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 unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.
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Commentary
“When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives” (Mark 14:26). Every time we review from the gospels what transpired on the night of Christ’s betrayal, we come upon this detail which speaks so eloquently about Jesus' attitude when confronted with the most difficult, crushing crisis. As this Psalm is part of the so-called Hallel (praise), it is possible that these were the very verses sung by Jesus with His disciples before going into Gethsemane.
The Psalm begins with multiple calls to praise (vs.1-3) and concludes with the same line: “Praise the Lord” (v.9). The object of praise is the name of the Lord. This is the name used by God to make Himself known (Exodus 3:16; 6:7) and extols the covenant God initiated with His people. Worshipping God should not be limited by time and space, but rather it should extend to the whole earth, “from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.”
Dear Lord,
Please expel any trace of doubt from our hearts and give us the power and the courage to praise you today, in spite of any adverse circumstances. Amen.
Ioan Campian-Tartar
Romanian Union Conference
