Psalm 113 –
The first Hallél Psalm

André H. Roosma
7 November 2012

Psalm 113 is the first Hallél-Psalm, that is, the first in a series of special praise- or worship-Psalms.

Below I present the rich text, both the Hebrew original, and a good English translation.1 (When you move your mouse from right to left over the Hebrew words, you will see a simple aid in the pronunciation2 and a literal word-for-word translation.)
Note especially what this Psalm says about what we must do with the glorious Name of God.

1Hallelu YaH [= Praise you YaH].
Praise, you servants [of] YaHUaH,
praise you the Name [of] YaHUaH.
הַלְלוּ יָהּ
הַלְלוּ עַבְדֵי יְהוָה
הַֽלְלוּ אֶת־שֵׁם יְהוָֽה׃
2The Name [of] YaHUaH be praised from now on and forevermore. יְהִי שֵׁם יְהוָה מְבֹרָךְ מֵֽעַתָּה וְעַד־עֹולָֽם׃
3From where the sun rises to where it sets, let the Name [of] YaHUaH be praised. מִמִּזְרַח־שֶׁמֶשׁ עַד־מְבֹואֹו מְהֻלָּל שֵׁם יְהוָֽה׃
4Exalted above all the nations [is] YaHUaH, above the heavens [is] His glory. רָם עַל־כָּל־גֹּויִם יְהוָה עַל הַשָּׁמַיִם כְּבֹודֹֽו׃
5Who [is] like YaHUaH, our God? Who dwells on high, מִי כַּיהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ הַֽמַּגְבִּיהִי לָשָֽׁבֶת׃
6He stoops down deeply [or: humbles Himself deeply], to see in the heavens and on the earth, הַֽמַּשְׁפִּילִי לִרְאֹות בַּשָּׁמַיִם וּבָאָֽרֶץ׃
7He raises the poor from the dirt, and lifts up the needy from the garbage pile, מְקִֽימִי מֵעָפָר דָּל
מֵֽאַשְׁפֹּת יָרִים אֶבְיֹֽון׃
8that He might seat him with noblemen, with the nobles of His people; לְהֹושִׁיבִי עִם־נְדִיבִים עִם נְדִיבֵי עַמֹּֽו׃
9He causes the barren to dwell in the house [as] a joyful mother of sons.
Hallelu YaH!
מֹֽושִׁיבִי עֲקֶרֶת הַבַּיִת אֵֽם־הַבָּנִים שְׂמֵחָה
הַֽלְלוּ־יָֽהּ׃

Psalm 113

Just as in Psalm 117 and Psalm 118 we see here again that the glorious Name of God: YaHUaH appears often: 8 times in 9 verses (of which 2 times in the short form YaH).1 That glorious Name YaHUaH reminds us that God wants to be close; with His people, and that He is the One Who gives life – full life in joyful wonder and worship towards our Creator and in close connection with Him and each other.

What comes forth clearly in this Psalm is that the glory, highness and greatness of YaHUaH does not withold Him from having an eye for the poor, the lowly and the despised in this world. From on high He came down, to lift up the humble. He looks after them.

I leave my comments at this. The text itself says enough.

I can only finish like the Psalmist:

Hallelu YaH!


Footnotes

1 In this translation the glorious Name of God is not replaced arbitrarily by some other word (e.g. LORD) but transliterated as accurate as possible from the oldest Hebrew original. For more background information on this see:
André H. Roosma, ‘The wonderful and lovely Name of the God Who was there, Who is there, and Who will be there.pdf document, extensive Accede! / Hallelu-YaH! study, July 2009.
2 Some hints:
The u is pronounced as oo (as in hood).
The Hebrew ב - soft beth is presented by the letter combination bh and is pronounced about like our v.
The Hebrew כ - soft kaph is presented by the letter combination kh and is pronounced about like our ch in Loch.
The Hebrew א - aleph and ע - ajin are usually represented by ’ and ‘ respectively. Unfortunately, in the explanation fields this appeared to be not possible.

Reactions

22 Jan. 2015

Mary Korda

Re: Ps 113. I very much appreciate your use of technology to display the Hebrew words, one by one, with translation.
Also your comments on the beautiful Psalm 113, which I am planning to use in the obituary and memorial service for my late brother, George.
Praise the Name of the Lord!
26 Jan. 2015

André (author)

Thanks for your kind reaction, Mary!
My sincere condolances on the passing away of your brother! May you experience God to be especially with you, these days!
Yes, I thank God for the technology and the great insights He gives into His Word! Praise His great Name!
God bless you, Shalom!,
André H. Roosma

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The previous article was:
The glorious Name of YaHUaH in the prophecy of Tsephan-Yahu’, 4 Nov. 2012.

 
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