Psalm 113

“Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord! Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore! From the rising of the sun to its going down the Lord’s name is to be praised.” Psalm 113:1-3 (NKJV)

Today’s psalmist (author unknown) exhorts us to praise the Lord’s name “from the rising of the sun to its going down.”  Where else have we seen that “all day, every day” approach to worship?

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV)

So, we have a direct connection between seeking God’s Word, meditating on and conversing about it, and praising Him continually.  Because we live in the world, we are attuned to its powers and authorities within our culture, the powers and authorities that oppress us.  Only the Bible tells us how we can transcend this world and attach ourselves, not only to something bigger than us but to one true God, the One who is high above the nations yet graciously and mercifully desires to commune with mankind.

“The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?” Psalm 113:4-6 (NKJV)

And exactly how do we benefit from His grace?  The Bible says we are co-inheritors with Messiah (Romans 8:17) and that we will rule and reign with Him (Revelation 5:10)

“This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself." 2 Timothy 2:11-13 (NKJV)

Unlike the World, God neither prefers nor promotes the proud self-seeker.  He chooses those who humbly reach out to Him and who realize they are spiritually poor, needy, and barren.  

“He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes - with the princes of His people. He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!” Psalm 113:7-9 (NKJV)

Now, that is something to praise the Lord about!