Introduction
Psalms 113-118 are often referred to as the Hallel psalms, these were sung on festive occasions, such as at Pentecost, the feast of Tabernacles, and the feast of Dedication. These were psalms of adoration to the Lord which commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt.
Psalms 113-114 were sung before the meal and Psalm 115-118 were sung after the meal. This was probably the hymn which our Saviour and His disciples sang at the conclusion of the Passover supper, Matthew 26:30 / Mark 14:26.
‘Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, you his servants; praise the name of the LORD. Let the name of the LORD be praised, both now and forevermore. From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised. The LORD is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people. He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.’ Psalm 113:1-9
The psalmist begins by encouraging God’s servant to praise the LORD, Psalm 11:1 / Psalm 112. Praising the name of the LORD means that they were directing their praise toward the character of the LORD.
When praises were made in the name of the LORD, this let others know who they were praising, that He wasn’t some foreign god. The Name of the LORD is to be praised now and forevermore, from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, that is, the Name of the LORD should be continually praised.
It is the LORD who is exalted and He is exalted way above the nations and His glory is exalted above the heavens. In other words, God is greater than everything else in creation, Psalm 8:1.
There is no other who is like the LORD, God because He sits enthroned on high above everything else, Isaiah 40:17-25. There is no other who stoops down to look upon the heavens and the earth, Psalm 8:4 / Psalm 144:3. Not only does God dwell in a heavenly realm, but He also works in His creation, working among those He created for His glory on earth.
God’s greatness isn’t determined by people’s financial status, He involves Himself in the lives of both the rich and poor. He lifts up the poor to be considered as those whom men would exalt to be princes. Every righteous poor person is a prince in the eyes of God, 1 Samuel 2:8. In other words, God lifts up the poor from the depths to great heights, Ephesians 2:5-6.
God also blesses the childless woman with a household of children, Psalm 68:6 / 1 Samuel 2:5-8, and as a result, she is more than happy to have children.
No wonder the psalmist ends the psalm with the same words, they began with, ‘praise the LORD’.
Conclusion
The psalmist had many reasons to praise the LORD, and as Christians today, we too have many reasons to praise the LORD.
Here are a few reasons to praise the LORD.
1. We should praise the LORD because of His glory, Psalm 138:5.
2. We should praise the LORD because of His greatness, Psalm 145:3.
3. We should praise the LORD because of His power, Psalm 21:13.
4. We should praise the LORD because of His goodness, Psalm 107:8.
5. We should praise the LORD because of His mercy, 2 Chronicles 20:21.
6. We should praise the LORD because He has provided salvation, Luke 1:68-69.