Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 113

1 PRaise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD : praise the Name of the LORD.

Ye Levites, who are peculiarly devoted to this solemn work, who sometimes are called Gods servants in a special sence, and all you faithful souls.

Marginal references: Heb. Hallelujah.

3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same , the LORD's Name is to be praised .

From one end of the world to the other; from East to West, which he mentions rather than from North to South, because those parts of the world were at this time much uninhabited and unknown.

For his glorious works of Creation and Providence, the benefit of which all Nations enjoy; and for his gracious purpose and promise of bringing in all Nations to the knowledge of his truth by the Messias.

Marginal references: Mal. 1. 11.

4 The LORD is high above all nations , and his glory above the heavens .

Superiour to all Princes and bodies of people in the world.

Whereas the glory of earthly Monarchs is confined to this lower world and to small pittances of it, the glory of God doth not onely fill the earth, but heaven too, where it is celebrated by thousands and myriads of blessed Angels, yea it is far higher than heaven, being infinite and incomprehensible.

Marginal references: Psal. 8. 1.

5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high ,

To wit, far above all heavens, as was now said, being exalte[illegible: 1+ letters] as in place, so in power and dignity, above all persons and things visible and invisible.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] himself to dwell.

6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth ?

Who is so high, that it is a wonderful vouchsafement and condescension in him to take any notice or care of his holy and heavenly host, and much more of sinful and miserable men upon earth, which yet he is pleased to do.

Marginal references: beholdeth things be▪; [illegible: 1+ letters]o Gr. [illegible: 1 word]. 138. 6. [illegible: 1 word] 5[illegible: 1+ letters]. 15.

7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust , and lifteth the needy out of the dunghil:

Yea he stoops so low as to regard and advance those whom all men, and even their own brethren slight and despise.

From a most contemptible and miserable condition. Beggers and mourners used to lie in the dust, or, as it follows, upon the dunghil, 1 Sam. 2. 8. Lament. 4. 5.

Marginal references: Sam 2. 8. [illegible: 1 word] 107. 41.

8 That he may set him with princes , even with the princes of his people .

In equal honour and power with them, as he did Ioseph, David, and others.

Which in Gods account and in truth are far more honourable and happy than the Princes of Heathen and barbarous Nations, because their Subjects are more noble, and they have Gods special presence and providence among them.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] 36. 7.

9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house , and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.

Heb. to dwell in an house or family, or amongst children, to wit, coming out of her own womb, as is clearly implied by the opposition of this to her barrenness. And the word house is oft put for children, as Exod. 1. 21. Ruth 4. 11. Psal. 115. 10, 12. And so it is explained in the next clause.

Marginal references: Sam. 2. 5. [illegible: 1 word] ▪ to dwell [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] house.; [illegible: 1 word] 68. 6.