Day 676: Psalm 113- Life Is In God's Hands

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!
 
4 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?

7 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!
 
 
Meditation
God’s sovereign grace compels us to worship Him for His infinite and intimate care. Hallelujah to the Lord who lifts the lowly, picks up the poor, and brings blessing from barrenness!
 
God rules over all nations and all the universe (4). God is enthroned on high but looks down on the lowly, poor, and empty (5-6). God’s lavish love lifts up and gives life.
 
This psalm echoes Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2. Barren Hannah is one of six scriptural examples of God bringing blessing from barrenness. Sarai became the mother of many nations (Genesis 11:30); Rebekah (Genesis 25:21) and Rachel (Genesis 29:31) were matriarchs through whom the line of Christ came. Samson’s mother (Judges 13) and the Shunammite woman whom Elisha healed (2 Kings 4:8-44) join the list of women through whom God brought impossible life. God alone gives life. God alone brings something out of nothing. God alone looks upon the lowly, picks up the poor, and brings blessing from bareness!
 
Mary’s song celebrating God’s salvation celebrates the same redemptive realities (Luke 1:46-55). God’s infinite rule over all nations and all the universe is demonstrated in Him becoming lowly and poor through the empty womb of Mary. Jesus lived to be lifted up on the cross so all who trust Him can be lifted to new life. By the Spirit Jesus was lifted out of the grave so the poor in spirit can be picked up to live a newness of life.
 
Hallelujah to the One who lifts the lowly and brings blessing from barrenness!
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you in this Psalm about the revelation of the infinite and intimate rule of God? Does this increase your hope and security in the Lord’s sovereign care?
 
-God brings something out of nothing (Hebrews 11:3). Where do you need the hope of God’s sovereign care to bring life? A difficult relationship, questions about the future, addiction, family planning… Ask Jesus to lift your lowly heart and pick up your poor spirit.
 
-Take time to sing praise with this Psalm. The psalm begins and ends with, “Hallelujah!” Pause to praise God’s holy name with the lyrics from today’s reading.
 
Key Verse
9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!