Psalms 113:1
Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The repeated command to "praise the name of the LORD" isn't just about saying his name, but about celebrating all His perfections and character. This verse immediately calls us, as God's "servants," to actively and consistently declare His greatness, not just in our own lives but for all to witness.
This psalm bursts forth as an exuberant call to worship, initiating a series of praises. It specifically summons the "servants of the LORD" to lift their voices, a group understood to encompass all God's faithful people, perhaps with a special nod to those in service like the Levites. The immediate following verses will then unfold the profound reasons for this adoration, focusing on God's unmatched majesty and His surprising tenderness toward the humble and needy.
Why does the Psalmist repeat the command to praise the Lord three times in just two verses? What does this emphasis tell us about our spiritual lives?
Urgent and Unceasing Adoration
This opening verse isn't just a gentle suggestion; it's a powerful, repeated command: "Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!" This threefold repetition isn't accidental. It emphasizes the urgency and importance of praising God.
Think of it like a musician practicing a difficult passage – repetition builds skill and deepens understanding. Here, the repetition aims to stir our hearts and minds towards a more fervent and constant worship. It’s a call to move beyond passive acknowledgment to active, enthusiastic adoration.
The verse specifically calls on the "servants of the LORD" to praise. Who are these individuals, and what does their unique position entail?
More Than a Title, It's a Relationship
The phrase "servants of the LORD" here points to more than just anyone who happens to work for God. It signifies a covenant relationship and a people set apart for Him.
Being a servant of the Lord means acknowledging His authority, dedicating our lives to His purposes, and responding to His grace with heartfelt worship.
Understand the original words
halal · Hebrew Verb
The primary Hebrew word for 'praise' in the context of worship, meaning to boast, rave about, or celebrate the character and acts of God.
Yahweh · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Moses (YHWH). It signifies His self-existence, eternity, and faithfulness to His people.
ebed · Hebrew Noun
Those who are in a position of humble submission and service to God, reflecting their status as His people who owe Him obedience and devotion.
shem · Hebrew Noun
In Scripture, a name represents the essence, character, authority, and reputation of a person. To praise the 'name' of the Lord is to praise who He is in His nature and actions.
This passage echoes the command to praise the Lord and make His wonderful deeds known, highlighting the consistent call throughout Scripture to proclaim God's actions.
Psalm 103:1Like Psalm 113:1, this verse directly commands the soul to bless the Lord, emphasizing the personal and internal aspect of praise that complements the public call.
Isaiah 43:21This verse speaks of God forming a people for Himself so that they might declare His praise, revealing the ultimate purpose behind His redemptive work and connecting it to our calling as His 'servants'.
Philippians 2:11This New Testament passage states that every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is Lord, expanding the scope of worship from Old Testament Israel to all creation and fulfilling the universal call to praise.
pulpitPsalms 113:1: "Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD."
Verse 1. - Praise ye the Lord (comp. Psalm 104:35; Psalm 105:45; Psalm 106:1, 48; Psalm 111:1; Psalm 112:1). Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the Name of the Lord. By "ye servants of the Lord," all faithful Israelites are certainly intended; but the phrase need not be absolutely limited to them (comp. ver. 3).
poolePsalms 113:1: "Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD."
THE ARGUMENT This Psalm is a declaration of God’s powerful and universal providence towards all men, and especially towards his afflicted people. An exhortation for all men to praise the Lord, for his excellency and greatness, Psalm 113:1-5 ; for his condescension to the poor and humble-minded, Psalm 113:6-9 . Ye servants of the Lord; ye Levites, who are peculiarly devoted to this solemn work, wh…
The repeated command to "praise the name of the LORD" isn't just about saying his name, but about celebrating all His perfections and character. This verse immediately calls us, as God's "servants," to actively and consistently declare His greatness, not just in our own lives but for all to witness.
This psalm bursts forth as an exuberant call to worship, initiating a series of praises. It specifically summons the "servants of the LORD" to lift their voices, a group understood to encompass all God's faithful people, perhaps with a special nod to those in service like the Levites. The immediate following verses will then unfold the profound reasons for this adoration, focusing on God's unmatched majesty and His surprising tenderness toward the humble and needy.
This psalm bursts forth as an exuberant call to worship, initiating a series of praises. It specifically summons the "servants of the LORD" to lift their voices, a group understood to encompass all God's faithful people, perhaps with a special nod to those in service like the Levites. The immediate following verses will then unfold the profound reasons for this adoration, focusing on God's unmatched majesty and His surprising tenderness toward the humble and needy.
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We're called to praise not just God, but specifically His "name." What does praising God's name truly mean?
More Than a Label, It's His Very Being
Praising the "name of the LORD" is a profound concept. It's not just about uttering sounds or reciting words. God's name in Scripture represents His entire character, His attributes, His reputation, and His presence.
When we praise His name, we are:
"Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD!" — The repeated command to "praise the name of the LORD" isn't just about saying his name, but about celebrating all His perfections and character. This verse immediately calls us, as God's "servants,"…
