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Who Is like the Lord Our God?
113 Praise the LORD!
Praise, O servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD!
Blessed be the name of the LORD
from this time forth and forevermore!
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
the name of the LORD is to be praised!
The LORD is high above all nations,
and his glory above the heavens!
Who is like the LORD our God,
who is seated on high,
who looks far down
on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes,
with the princes of his people.
He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the LORD!
(ESV)
Psalm 113 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Music connects with every person on the planet. More than likely, all of us can identify with a song or artist that inspires us in a personal way. Songs are easy to remember, well-situated to pass down through generations, and often teach us about life. This is especially true of music aligned with God. It is an effective tool to teach spiritual truth and draw us deeper into God’s character.
In the ancient world, the psalms were composed precisely for these reasons. The memories and stories about God were effectively passed down through music. Being easily memorized and sung often, they became timeless. Psalms 113-118 were composed to be sung around the supper table during Passover.
The themes of these six Passover psalms are:
- Psalm 113: Praising God for releasing the downtrodden.
- Psalm 114: Escaping from Egypt.
- Psalm 115: Praising God together as a people.
- Psalm 116: Thanking God personally and giving oneself to Him.
- Psalm 117: Calling non-Jews to praise God.
- Psalm 118: Recalling God’s steadfast, enduring love.
(Nelson’s Commentary)
As you can see, they were foundational to Hebrew theology. Psalm 113 was specific in praising God for reaching down from heaven to those who were struggling.
Who is like Yahweh our God— the One enthroned on high, 6 who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?
Psalms 113:5-6 HCSB
Back then, they praised God for stooping (NASB translates this ‘humbles Himself’) down to Earth. The incredible aspect to consider is that Jesus takes this statement to a whole new level. Jesus stooped (humbled) Himself to the point of becoming flesh and blood and walking among us. He stooped down to heal us and teach us. He stooped down to die for us and then was raised again conquering sin and death. The fulfillment of this verse means even more to us today knowing the great lengths God went to in order to save His people!