ScriptureDepth's study of Psalm 113
“He raises up the poor out of the dust. Lifts up the needy from the ash heap; that he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.”
Psalms 113:7-8
The psalmist calls for praise to Yahweh, declaring how he lifts the needy from the ash heap, showing God's work in transforming lives in this chapter.
What Psalm 113 is about
The psalmist calls the servants of Yahweh to praise Him and bless His name now and forever (vv. 1-2). The name of Yahweh is to be praised from sunrise to sunset (v. 3). Yahweh is exalted above all nations, and His glory surpasses the heavens (v. 4). The speaker asks, 'Who is like Yahweh, our God?' who resides on high (v. 5). Yet, He also looks down from heaven and earth (v. 6). Yahweh lifts the poor from the dust and raises the needy from the ash heap (v. 7). He sets them among princes, alongside the princes of His people (v. 8). Additionally, He places the barren woman in her home as a joyful mother of children (v. 9).
Praise Yahweh remains the constant call, celebrating His sovereignty and compassionate acts towards those in need.
Psalm 113 at a glance
- Psalm 113:1–2Call to Praise Yahweh
- Psalm 113:3–4Universal Praise for God
- Psalm 113:5–6God’s Supremacy and Attention
- Psalm 113:7–9God's Compassion and Transformation
Key verse: Psalms 113:7-8
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Psalm 113 (WEB)
Call to Praise Yahweh Psalm 113:1–2
1Verse 1. Praise Yah!Praise, you servants of Yahweh,praise Yahweh’s name.2Verse 2. Blessed be Yahweh’s name,from this time forward and forever more.
Universal Praise for God Psalm 113:3–4
3Verse 3. From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same,Yahweh’s name is to be praised.4Verse 4. Yahweh is high above all nations,his glory above the heavens.
God’s Supremacy and Attention Psalm 113:5–6
5Verse 5. Who is like Yahweh, our God, who has his seat on high, 6Verse 6. Who stoops down to see in heaven and in the earth?
God's Compassion and Transformation Psalm 113:7–9
7Verse 7. He raises up the poor out of the dust.Lifts up the needy from the ash heap;8Verse 8. that he may set him with princes,even with the princes of his people.9Verse 9. He settles the barren woman in her home,as a joyful mother of children.Praise Yah!
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Psalm 113
Praise
In verses 1-2, the psalm begins with a call to 'Praise Yah!' directing servants of Yahweh to give honor to 'Yahweh’s name.' This call to action is reinforced by the declaration that 'Blessed be Yahweh’s name, from this time forward and forever more' in verse 2, serving as a strong introduction to ongoing praise.
Sovereignty of God
Verses 3-4 articulate a universal call for praise, stating that 'Yahweh’s name is to be praised' from 'the rising of the sun to the going down.' The psalm asserts Yahweh's supreme position: 'Yahweh is high above all nations, his glory above the heavens.' This establishes a clear understanding of God’s unmatched authority over all creation.
Compassion for the Needy
In verses 7-8, the text highlights God's compassion by stating that 'He raises up the poor out of the dust' and 'lifts up the needy from the ash heap.' This attention to the downtrodden shows God's concern for the marginalized, setting them among 'princes, even with the princes of his people,' which conveys a message of hope and dignity.
Transformation
Verses 7-9 illustrate God's transformative work in the lives of individuals. The psalm notes that God 'raises up the poor out of the dust' and 'lifts up the needy from the ash heap.' Furthermore, verse 9 states that 'He settles the barren woman in her home, as a joyful mother of children,' indicating a remarkable change in circumstances and status, affirming God's ability to change lives.
Chapter outline
How Psalm 113 unfolds
Psalm 113:1–2 Call to Praise Yahweh
Servants of Yahweh are commanded to 'Praise Yah! Praise, you servants of Yahweh' (v. 1), acknowledging Yahweh's name as worthy of blessing 'from this time forward and forever more' (v. 2).
Psalm 113:3–4 Universal Praise for God
Praise for Yahweh is called for 'from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same' (v. 3), affirming that 'Yahweh’s name is to be praised' universally, as his glory surpasses all nations (v. 4).
Psalm 113:5–6 God’s Supremacy and Attention
The text asks rhetorical questions about God's greatness in 'Who is like Yahweh, our God' (v. 5), affirming his high position and ability to 'stoops down to see in heaven and in the earth' (v. 6).
Psalm 113:7–9 God's Compassion and Transformation
Yahweh acts with compassion, raising the poor from 'the dust' and lifting the needy from 'the ash heap' (v. 7), transforming their status by setting them 'with princes' (v. 8) and granting joy to the barren (v. 9).
Key verses
Psalms 113:7-8The psalmist calls for praise to Yahweh, declaring how he lifts the needy from the ash heap, showing God's work in transforming lives in this chapter.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Psalm 113
- observeWho are the 'servants of Yahweh' told to praise in v1, and for how long in v2?
- observeWhat does Yahweh do for 'the poor' and 'the needy' in vv. 7-8?
- interpretYahweh 'stoops down to see' in v6 right after 'his seat on high' in v5: what is the psalm saying about him?
- interpretWhy does the psalm end with a barren woman becoming a 'joyful mother of children' in v9?
- applyWho around you is on the 'ash heap' right now, and what would lifting them look like this week?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalm 113
- Psalm 57Psalm 113:4 and Psalm 57:5Both exalt God: Psalm 113:4 states his glory is above the heavens, while Psalm 57:5 proclaims his glory above all the earth.
- Luke 1Psalm 113:9 and Luke 1:13Both declare God's intervention: Psalm 113:9 shows he settles the barren woman, while Luke 1:13 announces the birth of John to Elizabeth.
- 1 Samuel 2Psalm 113:7 and 1 Samuel 2:8Both lift the needy: Psalm 113:7 mentions raising the poor from the dust, while 1 Samuel 2:8 describes lifting the needy from the dunghill.
- Daniel 2Psalm 113:7 and Daniel 2:21Both speak of God lifting: Psalm 113:7 shows raising the needy, while Daniel 2:21 indicates God sets up kings.
- Psalm 138Psalm 113:5 and Psalm 138:6Both acknowledge God's care: Psalm 113:5 asks who is like God, while Psalm 138:6 notes he looks after the lowly.
- Isaiah 40Psalm 113:5 and Isaiah 40:18Both question God's likeness: Psalm 113:5 asks who is like God, while Isaiah 40:18 presents a similar inquiry.
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