Normally, it is best to consider any OT text from its own point of view before considering it from the New Testament point of view. With this psalm we will make an exception. Psalms 113-118 were traditionally sung at the family Passover meal. Thus, these are likely the psalms sung by our Lord the night of his betrayal (cf. Mark 14:26). Let us consider this psalm from the point of view of that night. What did this psalm say to the Twelve and to Jesus as they prepared to eat that Passover meal?
We should note that the giving of praise is continuous for the Lord’s servants.
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 its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!
For the Twelve this might have meant that they would praise the Lord throughout their lives. Perhaps they realized also a responsibility to evangelize and thus spread his praise throughout the world.
For Jesus this psalm must have called to mind the existence he left behind, where no one spoke ill of him, mocked him, or did anything in his presence but praise. What a contrast with what he would face in the next 24 hours.
Perhaps he reflected on the fact that the ultimate goal of what he was about to suffer was the reuniting of heaven and earth in the praise of its creator. His unity of heart and mind with the Father, strengthened him to do what must be done to redeem lost humanity that they might praise throughout eternity.
The Lord’s greatness is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens! 5 Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, 6 who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?
The Twelve likely struggled to picture the earth from God’s point of view, even in theory. They had been on a Palestinian mountain looking down at the sheep below. But the greatness of God was difficult for them to comprehend. They likely called to mind His creative power; His redeeming power in the exodus; His sustaining power in providing water and manna in the wilderness.
Jesus knew what it had been to look down on the heavens and earth. He was there at creation (Heb 1:1-2). He was there at the parting of the sea. He was that rock from which Israel received water in the desert (1 Cor 10:4). He had known the greatness of God, not in theory but in experience; yet here he is condescending to sing of it with these uncouth and imperfect worshippers.
The Lord’s lowliness is to be praised.
He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, 8 to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. 9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!
The Twelve could think of examples of this. The most obvious is Hannah. Verses 7-8 are drawn from her song in 1 Samuel 2:8. Sarah might also come to mind as one who had been barren.
They may have considered some male examples as well. David and Daniel were each in a lowly condition when called to God’s service. The greatest example of this lowliness they did not see, although he was reclining there with them. They underestimated his greatness. Therefore, they underestimated the extent of his condescension.
The message of Psalm 113 can be well summed up in the words of Isaiah 57:15.
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
Is lifelong praise too much to expect of those who have been saved by such a great and lowly God?Can we, who believe in such a God, fail to reach out to those less fortunate than we? Do we not feel a compulsion to tell them of his love and condescension so that they too might praise him?