"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."

Psalm 113:4-7

The end of today’s psalm expresses the reality that God is the Provider for the poor and needy. He is the Provider of the rich as well, of course, but here the recognition is that God can bring about a reversal of circumstances. It is marvelous that the Lord, who is exalted over all the nations and heavens, stoops down to look on both and care for them. Notice that in today’s psalm, God looks down not only on the earth, but also on the heavens. He is above both.

The psalmist therefore calls on ‘you his servants’ (v. 1) to praise the name of the Lord now and forever, from the rising of the sun to its setting. In other words, he is exhorting his audience to praise God all day, every day. Sunday is sometimes called ‘the Lord’s Day’ because it is a day when people can take time to focus on God and give him praise. Even in the busyness of a weekday, ‘you his servants’ are called to praise.

CLOSING PRAYER

Creator and Sustainer of all things, thank you that you not only keep my life—you bless me with the riches of your abundant love.

(Edited from Encounter with God)