Psalm 113 is a contrast between the Lord’s exalted position and the petty situations of common people. Yet, the glorious Lord is concerned about the common and the mundane. In a way the concept of this Psalm finds ultimate fulfillment in Philippians 2:4-11:

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Psalm 113 is the first of seven psalms sung at Passover, Pentecost and the Feast of Tabernacles. Psalms 113-118 were a set of seven Psalms known as the Hallel. Psalms 113 and 114 were sung before the feast meal and Psalms 115-118 were sung after.

This first Psalm of the Hallel series first calls all his servants to “Praise the Lord” (halelu-yah) because the Lord is “high above all nations” and “his glory above the heavens.” The Lord is seated high above the earth. There is no one like the Lord.

Yet, this opening of the Hallel collection also points out that this same mighty, high and glorious God “looks far down” to “the earth” to raise “the poor from the dust” and lift “the needy from the ash heap.” It is this glorious God who is even aware and concerned about “barren woman” who has no home and no children. The Lord looks down from the highest position to give the barren woman a home filled with joy and children.

The incarnation of the Lord is clearly anticipated in this Psalm as it is in the accounts or songs of praise by these women:

• Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10)
• Elizabeth (Luke 1:5-45)
• Mary (Luke 1:46-55)

Notice that the Lord not only helps them or assists them, but super-abundantly exalts them to the seat of royalty and overflows their homes with joy. If the Lord is concerned about the weak and the lowly and intervenes to benefit the insignificant then as his people we should have this same attitude. Let us not consider our positions in life to be too great to help those who we could help or assist in this life.

Pope Innocent III (1160-1216) wrote King John of England (1166-1216) on April 21, 1214

"The King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ...has established in the Church His kingdom and His priesthood...and over all He has set up one whom He has appointed as His Vicar on earth, so that, as every knee is bowed to Jesus...so all men should obey His Vicar and se to it that there may be one fold and one shepherd. For the sake of God all secular kings so venerate this Vicar that unless they strive to serve him devotedly they doubt that they are reigning properly. To this, most beloved son, you have wisely attended..."