Psalm 113: Barrenness to Blessing

​Key Verse
9 He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!
 
Meditation
God’s infinite glory compels God's people to praise Him, singing Hallelujah to the eternal One who lifts the lowly, picks up the poor, and brings blessing from barrenness.
 
Today’s psalm is bookended with “Hallelujah!” (vv. 1, 9), details God’s vast glory (above all nations and the heavens! vv. 3-4), and offers reason for praising the Lord (He looks down on the lowly, poor, and empty vv. 5-6). God’s lavish love lifts the lowly and gives life to all, so His people join the cosmic chorus of praising the Lord.
 
This psalm echoes Hannah’s song in 1 Samuel 2 , Hannah being 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 celebrates the same redemptive realities (Luke 1:46-55), the bareness of her hope transformed to blessing through the Savior in her womb. Jesus is the One whose glory is over all nations and the Heavens, He who became lowly that His people may be lifted up. Jesus became poor that believers might become rich in love. Hallelujah must rise from our hearts! All His people must praise the Lord who alone brings blessing from barrenness.
 
 
Today’s Reading
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!
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you in this Psalm, especially the revelation of God’s infinite glory and the intimate ways He cares for his people? 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!