Psalm 113 (112):3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Furthermore, it is stated, “The offering out of your hands is displeasing to Me. For from the east of the sun to the west, My name shall be great among the nations, and in every place they shall offer incense to My name, a pure sacrifice; great shall be My name among the nations, says the Lord” (Malachi 1:10, 11). Can you see how God has set aside and concluded the Jewish ministry, while throughout the universe He has foreshadowed and propagated the life and mission of our Church? The prophet who rendered this prophecy lived after the return from Babylonian captivity, preaching during that time to prevent the Jews from claiming he was simply announcing their past destruction. This message, prophesied by Malachi after the exile ended and the Jews resumed their previous lives, foretold the devastation that would occur under Vespasian and Titus, after which no further calamities like those would come, as they had already been succeeded by the works of our Church. Therefore, the prophet states, “My name shall be great among the nations” (Malachi 1:11), meaning blessed and glorified through their actions, as it is expressed here: “glorious is the name of the Lord.”

Thus, let it be declared continually: “Blessed be the Name of the Lord, from henceforth and forever” (Psalm 111:2). Let praise resound everywhere: from the rising of the sun to its setting, give glory to the Name of the Lord (Psalm 111:3).

Should any of the holy children, who praise the Name of the Lord, inquire about the eternal nature of this blessing—asking why the Name of the Lord isn't eternally praised from the beginning of time—I will respond gently, for the query comes without obstinacy. To you, both masters and children, it is proclaimed: “Praise the Name of the Lord; blessed be the Name of the Lord,” beginning from the moment you utter these praises. Though your praises may be momentary, they should persist without end.

Moreover, since this passage emphasizes humility rather than mere childhood, the antithesis being the empty greatness of pride, let us embrace childlike humility in our old age, and let our children embody wisdom; that is, may neither pride taint our wisdom nor lack of wisdom diminish our humility, enabling us to praise the Lord eternally. Wherever the Church of Christ flourishes among her sincere saints, let praises be offered to the Lord, from dawn to dusk.

“The Lord is high above all the Gentiles” (Psalm 111:4). Gentiles represent all humanity; what marvel is it that the Lord stands above all? They worship celestial bodies—sun, moon, and stars—that shine above them, creatures of His creation, instead of the Creator Himself. Yet the Lord's glory surpasses even the heavens. The heavens behold Him from their lofty heights, and the humble take comfort in His presence; they do not worship the heavens but submit to the Creator who dwells with them, despite their earthly form.

“Who is like the Lord our God, who has His dwelling so high; and yet sees the humble?” (Psalm 111:5). Some might assume He resides in the highest heavens to observe the humble dwellings below, but He gazes upon the modest realities both in heaven and on earth (Psalm 112:6). Is His high dwelling, from which He perceives the meek, not where the humble exist? He elevates the lowly so that they are not ensnared by pride. Consequently, He resides within those He exalts, making them His heavenly abode; He sees them not as proud, but as those who continuously yield to Him, allowing Him to recognize His humble dwelling within them.

As Scripture reveals through Isaiah, “Thus says the Most High, who dwells on high, who dwells in eternity; the Lord Most High, who dwells in the holy.” This clarifies His lofty dwelling in the sacred.

We are led to ponder whether the Lord our God beholds the same humility both in heaven and on earth, or whether differing forms of humility exist in these realms. If there are distinct humilities acknowledged in heaven and on earth, it seems that in heaven, He perceives those who have been called into His presence, while on earth, He sees those He calls to receive Him within themselves. Some among us contemplate heavenly matters, while others yet dream of earthly concerns. It is challenging to describe even those who have not unified themselves under the grace of Christ's yoke as humble because divine writings implore us to associate holiness with humility; however, consider with me another interpretation, Beloved. I suggest that “heaven” refers to those destined to sit on twelve thrones, judging alongside the Lord (Matthew 19:28), while “earth” symbolizes the multitude who, through acts of mercy, will be glorified and ushered into eternal dwellings by those they have befriended through unrighteous wealth in this transient existence (Luke 16:9).

“He lifts the poor man from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap” (Psalm 112:7); to set him among princes, with the princes of His people (Psalm 111:8). Therefore, let not the exalted neglect to humble themselves under the hand of the Lord. Though the faithful steward of God’s resources may one day sit alongside the princes of His people, destined to judge even angels (Matthew 19:28), he was once raised from his humble beginnings, possibly even from lives once consumed by sinful desires.

What then, dear brethren, if we have heard of how lowly things in heaven are elevated from the dust to share communion with the princes of the people? Have we failed to consider the lowly matters the Lord observes on earth? While those who will judge alongside their Lord may be fewer, the number received into everlasting dwellings is far greater. It may appear that a mere handful of grains, compared to a multitude of tares, amounts to little; yet when assessed in isolation, it remains plentiful.

Therefore, the Church speaks in a manner suggesting she does not bear offspring among the throngs who fail to forsake all to follow the Lord and claim their thrones (Matthew 19:28). Still, many within that crowd, who cultivate friendships through unrighteous wealth (Luke 16:9), will stand at His right hand through their acts of mercy. Thus, not only does He elevate the one He desires to place among the princes of His people, but He also transforms the barren into joyful mothers of children (Psalm 111:9). He who dwells on high sees the humble in heaven and earth, filling the seed of Abraham—countless as the stars of heaven and the sand on the seashore—with grace gathered from the tumult of wickedness.

For from the east of the sun to the west My name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place the sacrifice is offered to My name, and the sacrifice is pure’ (Malachi 1:10-11). Thus, this also predicts a spiritual aroma that is pleasing.

God is of immeasurable greatness and is the sovereign Lord over all the earth. His glory cannot be contained even by the vastness of the heavens. Yet, in His boundless majesty, He chooses to lower Himself with compassion toward the most humble within His creation, in order to lift them up and bring them joy. God has previously demonstrated His sovereignty over the Gentiles in favor of His seemingly weak people whom others sought to destroy. He, the Creator, stands above all, beyond the heavens and all things.

The following verses illustrate a profound progression of the humble looking upward; they depict the impact of God’s gracious humility on those who are downtrodden and troubled and on those deemed worthless due to barrenness, lacking any stable support within their households. To dwell in the dust, or upon the refuse pile, signifies utter poverty and helplessness. A barren woman may find herself more easily cast out than one blessed with children who can secure her place in the family. This blessing from God brings immense joy, as reflected in the accounts of 1 Samuel chapters 1 and 2.

This psalm marks the commencement of a collection known by the Jews as the "gallell," which includes Psalms 112 to 117. During the period of the Second Temple, it was recited eighteen times a year during divine services, particularly during the new month celebrations. During the Passover meal, this collection was divided into two parts, with the first being sung before the second cup and the second after the fourth, as noted in Matthew 26:30.

This call extends to youths, those newly enlightened by holy baptism, and those still immature in their motivations. Individuals are encouraged to glorify God not only through words but, more significantly, through their actions, as the Lord instructed: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father who is in Heaven” (Matthew 5:16).