The big picture
Psalms 113 opens in verse 1 with “Praise ye the LORD . Praise, O ye servants of the LORD , praise the name of the LORD .”, reaches its middle movement near verse 5 with “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,”, and closes in verse 9 with “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, Praise, name, high, princes. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Psalms · King James Version · 9Psalms 113:1-5
1–5: Praise ye the LORD . Praise, O ye servants of the LORD , praise the name…
Psalms 113:1–5 opens with “Praise ye the LORD . Praise, O ye servants of the LORD , praise the name of the LORD .” and reaches “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by LORD, name, Praise.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Praise ye the LORD . Praise, O ye servants of the LORD , praise the name of the LORD .” Naming Praise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Psalms 113:1-5
King James Version1Praise ye the LORD . Praise, O ye servants of the LORD , praise the name of the LORD .
2Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.
3From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’s name is to be praised.
4The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
Psalms 113:6-9
6–9: Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the…
Psalms 113:6–9 opens with “Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!” and reaches “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on the wording and movement of this passage, with particular weight carried by princes, barren, children.
Psalms 113:6-9
King James Version6Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD .
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Psalms 113:1 begins with “Praise ye the LORD . Praise, O ye servants of the LORD , praise the name of the LORD .”
Where the chapter turns
Psalms 113:5 forms a natural hinge: “Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,”
The final note
Psalms 113:9 leaves the reader with “He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD .”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, Praise, name, high, princes, barren help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.