GLOBAL PRAISE FOR GRACE
Opening Prayer
Lord, may I praise You from the rising to the setting of the sun (3)
Read Psalm 113
1 Praise the Lord.[a]
Praise the Lord, you his servants;
praise the name of the Lord.
2 Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and forevermore.
3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
4 The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,
6 who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
8 he seats them with princes,
with the princes of his people.
9 He settles the childless woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.
Praise the Lord.
Footnotes
- Psalm 113:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 9
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How often do you take time to praise the Lord?What a psalm! This psalm provides us with a simple but crucial response to God’s cosmic salvation plans. The overview effect is breath-taking – prompting praise! No wonder the psalm is bracketed by the resounding cry, ‘Praise the LORD’ (1,9).
Verses 1–4. Not everybody recognizes the one who sits enthroned over all creation, which is why so many fail to praise Him. But those who do trust Him have no excuse. We know who He is and what He has done. But just occasionally, we need to be reminded! Whenever, wherever, whoever – no one in creation is exempt – we all owe our existence to our Creator. The psalmist is clear – all, including Gentiles, are included (the Queen of Sheba: 1 Kings 10:8,9).
Verse 5–9. Now, the psalm takes a turn. God might be expected to remain in the comfortable security of heaven. But no, He stoops (6). He doesn’t simply look at what He has made. He sees what is going on, even for the vulnerable (the poor, starving, widowed). What actions does His seeing motivate (7–9)?
Apply
Mary’s song (Luke 1:46–55) echoes this psalm. The only primary difference is Christ. He is the one who truly makes this universal. Take time to praise Him now!
Closing prayer
You, Lord, are exalted over all the nations, Your glory above the heavens. Who is like You, Lord our God? (4,5a).
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