Psalm 113 – Servants of the Lord
Servants have a unique position in households. They often see what others do not see. Psalm 133 – servants of the Lord, calls upon God’s servants to praise the Lord. What do these servants see that others do not?
Psalm 113
Psalm 113 is the first of the six Egyptian Hallel psalms, psalm 113-118. The psalms are notable because they are used in the Jewish Passover celebration, with psalm 113-114 being recited before the meal, psalms 115-118 recited after the meal. As such, Jesus was very familiar with these psalms.
Psalm 113 – servants of the Lord, begins with the call to the servants of God to praise the Lord. Some versions translate servants as children. “Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord.” (Douay-Rheims) “Alleluia. Praise the Lord, children. Praise the name of the Lord.” (Catholic Public Domain) Whether servants or children, they have a special place in the work of the Lord.
“God’s servants have special reason to praise Him. They have the honor of sharing in His great work, and they are promised eternal reward for doing so. Everyone has reason for praise; servants of the LORD have many more reasons.” Enduring Word Bible Commentary Psalm 113
“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.” (1-3)
Why We Praise the Lord?
And why do we praise the Lord? Because, not only does God reign over all nations, this mighty God stoops down to look at us.
“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?” (4-6)
And, if that weren’t enough, our God also concerns himself about the poor and needy in our world, lifting them up.
“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.” (7-9)
“And we praise God for his majesty as he sits high and exalted over all things. But then … it is not the shining might of God that causes the psalmist the most awe and wonder. Rather it is the fact that this huge and glorious God regularly stoops low to notice us in our little lives. We matter to this God. God notices the poor and reverses their fortunes. God notices the woman struggling with infertility and sees to it that she ends up the happy mother of a whole houseful of children. This for the psalmist elicits a profound and deep praise.” Psalm 113 – Center for Excellence in Preaching
Servants of the Lord
God’s servants have a special reason to praise God. Servants are often part of the family, seeing what others do not see. And what do they see? God’s kindness to the poor and needy. It’s like they are standing off center while the master slips away quietly to do good deeds. Not bragging or self-promoting. Humbly, God stoops to help the poor.
“God not only elevates the poor and needy but also raises them to a position of honor and authority. The psalmist envisions God placing them “with princes, with the princes of his people.” This highlights a theme of divine reversal that is widespread in the Bible, where the lowly are exalted and the powerful are brought low. Jesus often spoke about this reversal in His teachings, such as in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) where He blesses the poor in spirit, the meek, and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. God settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children in verse 9, shifting the focus to a specific example of His miraculous work.” This verse speaks to God’s ability to bring joy and fulfillment to those who are experiencing lack or grief. The image of a barren woman becoming a joyful mother underscores God’s power to transform seemingly impossible situations into blessings. Psalms 113 Explained – Verse by Verse Commentary – God’s Blessing
What a wonderful Lord and master we have.
Implications of Being His Servants
According to the Bible Hub website, the following are implications of being servants of the Lord
- Ownership and Lordship – We belong to Him: “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) His authority is absolute; our response is willing submission.
- Purposeful Assignment – A servant exists to carry out the Master’s will (Luke 17:10). Our lives find meaning in aligning with His plans rather than crafting our own.
- Intimate Loyalty – Service is rooted in love, not mere duty (Deuteronomy 10:12-13). Jesus ties obedience to love: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.” (John 14:23)
- Dependence and Provision – The Master bears responsibility for the servant’s welfare (Psalm 23:1). Isaiah 54:17highlights protection (“No weapon… shall prosper”) and vindication (“their vindication is from Me”).
- Shared Reputation – A servant’s actions reflect on the Master’s name (Matthew 5:16). God ties His honor to our faithful service (Isaiah 43:7). (What does “servants of the LORD” imply about our relationship with God?)
Clearly, servants of the Lord bear a serious responsibility as well as receiving rewards.
“Servants of the LORD” is not a casual label. In Scripture it marks an identity granted by God Himself—an identity that shapes every aspect of how we relate to Him.” What does “servants of the LORD” imply about our relationship with God?
Psalm 113 – Servants of the Lord
In the Downtown Abbey series, the servants are truly part of the family. They are also keepers of family secrets, including Lady Mary’s indiscretions. They see the struggles of the Crowleys to make sound moral decisions, ones not only concerning their own welfare, but the welfare of their servants and the townspeople who depend on the Manor for their livelihood. The servants know the integrity of Crowley family members and respect them for it, proudly serving them.
We learn in Psalm 113 – servants of the Lord, that we, too, who serve the Lord are part of God’s family. Our God is an honorable God, worthy of respect. It truly is an honor to serve God. We know our God to be kind and merciful, worthy of our service.
We know God’s secrets, especially the wonderful secret of how much our God loves us humans. How our God not only hears the cries of the poor, but places them in seats of honor. A secret worth proclaiming from the rooftops.
Our God is worthy to be praised, worthy to be served. Fortunate are we who serve in the household of the Lord.
How do you serve God?
(For another take on this psalm, see Psalm 113: Praise the Lord Who Lifts Up the Poor! – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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