PRAISE YE THE LORD, AND HERE'S WHY Psalm 113:1-9
 

Psalms 113-118 comprise the first of what are known as the "Hallel Psalms". The word "Hallel" simply means "To Praise." This group of Psalms were sung throughout the year as part of the Jewish worship ritual. The first three verses of this Psalm stand as a call and a challenge for the people of the Lord to be involved in His praise.

 

1. V. 1 The Plea to Praise God - We are  to lift our hearts and our voices in praise because of Who He is. Heb. 13:15; Psa. 47:1;135:1-3;146-150.

2. V. 2a The Process Of Praise To God - The Psalmist gives us an example of praise offered to the Lord.

3. V. 2b-3 The Practice Of Praise To The Lord - The Psalmist tells us that God is to be praised "from this time forth and for evermore." That refers to the duration of praise. It is to be eternally unceasing. Then, verse 3 tells us that every waking moment is to be spent in the praise of the Lord. Praise is supposed to be something that we are engaged in at all times.

 

Before I get into these verses, just let me encourage you a little in this matter of praising the Lord. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to "do it" like anyone else "does it".

 

Certainly, praise is a matter of personality, and whether it involves shouting, crying, laughing, hand raising, dancing in the Spirit, etc.

 

It is pleasing to the Lord! Notice the reasons why we are to praise the Lord.

 

I. V. 4-6 BECAUSE OF HIS GLORY

 

A. V. 4 He Is Exalted - God is greater than all the glory of the nations. He is greater than all the glories of Heaven. When the nations are gone and the saints fill Heaven, that lofty place will ring with His praises, Rev. 4.

 

B. V. 5 He Is Exceptional - There is none like Him! No, there is none like the Lord! He is beyond our comprehension!

 

C. V. 6 He Is Extraordinary – It’s amazing that a God like ours would even condescend to look upon the earth. His eye is on the sparrow and the hairs of your heads are numbered!

 

II. V. 7 BECAUSE OF HIS GRACE

 

  1. The Grace Of His Reaching Down-If it is amazing that He should "look" upon the earth But, even more amazing is the fact that He would move into this world to rescue us from our sins. this is just what He did,

·         Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

·         There was one reason, Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many

 

  1. The Grace Of His Raising Up - The reference here is to those

people who are forced to grovel in the dust of the earth to try and scratch a bare living. This reference to the "dust" is a biblical metaphor for poverty. He paid our price and will lift all who will believe in Him out of the dust of the earth and will set them in high places, 1 Pet. 1:18-19; Eph.. 2:6.

 

  1. The Grace Of His Removing Out - The reference to the "dunghill"

brings to mind the great trash dumps that burned continually outside cities in biblical times. Packs of wild dogs roamed these places looking for food. A trip to the "dunghill" would bring you into contact with all the social outcasts of the day. (He changed our Description - Eph. 2:1-10; and He changed our Destiny - Heaven and not Hell!)

 

III. V. 8-9 BECAUSE OF HIS GREATNESS

 

A. V. 8 He Cancels Our Pasts - He takes the worst of humanity and uses them greatly. David from leading he sheep; the Apostles from the fish; us from our deadness in sin. He takes us like He finds us and then He transforms us into a trophy of His grace, Eph. 2:10. (Note: He changes us all the way, 2 Cor 5:17.)

 

B. V. 9 He Conquers Our Problems - Here, the image of a childless woman is used to illustrate despair and distress. He can take the barrenness of our lives, that has been caused by sin and He can cause us to bring forth fruit for His glory. John 15:5. A wicked life is barren, but a life touched by the Lord is fruitful and glorious!).

 

Would you agree with the Psalmist that the Lord is worthy of our praise? Now, is He getting the praise He deserves from your life? May we all determine in our hearts that we will praise Him with our lips, our lives and with the labor of our hands. He is worthy and He deserves all the praise we can give Him! Let's get busy and praise His name!