“Who is like the LORD our GOD?” This question rings out from the center of Psalm 113, reminding us that our God is incomparably great and good. Psalms 113-118 were commonly sung by the Jews at the time of the Passover. Known as the Egyptian Hallel (meaning “Praise”), these songs celebrated God’s deliverance of His people under Moses. The first two were sung before the Passover meal, while the last four were sung afterward. Jesus likely sang these very psalms with His disciples on the night of His betrayal (Mark 14:26). Psalm 113 is a powerful worship song, beginning and ending with the words, “Praise the LORD!” The first stanza calls on God’s servants to praise Him, three times calling attention to His “name.” By the revelation of His personal name, “Yahweh,” God makes known something of His character and invites us into His confidence and friendship. The Hebrew meaning of this name is simply, “I am who I am.” It emphasizes that God is self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal, and immutable. He has life in and of Himself. He has no needs. He has no beginning or end. And He will never change. The God who revealed Himself to Moses (Exodus 3:14) is the same now as He was then (v 1-3). In the second stanza, what amazes the psalmist is that God is exalted so high that He has to stoop low, not only to see the earth, but also the heavens! Even the most supreme, majestic parts of creation are far beneath the glory of the Creator. And yet as the New Testament tells us, when God looked down upon our sinful race, He actually came down to become one of us, in order to lift us out of our misery and shame. Because of His condescension, we are offered forgiveness and heaven. Indeed, who is like the LORD our God?! (v 4-6). The last stanza emphasizes this point by nearly quoting the song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:8). Though nothing is too great for God to do, there Is no one too small for Him to notice. Hannah had been childless, but the LORD answered her prayers and gave her a son, who became the prophet Samuel. These verses are later echoed by Mary as she anticipated the birth of her own son, our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 1:46-55). The God we worship is infinitely exalted, far above the heavens. Yet He stoops to raise up the poor and needy, or to open the womb of a barren woman. Our great God is not only concerned for people in general, but also the individual. Not only for Hannah and Mary, but for you and me. He saves us from sin, one by one, lifting us up to seat us with Christ. And when we are discouraged, He lifts us up from our pit, putting a new song in our mouths (Psalm 40:1-3). Now we too can say, “Praise the LORD!” (v 7-9). For further meditation: