Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 113

Praise ye the Lord - Margin, as in Hebrew, “Hallelujah.” See the notes at Psalms 106:1.

Praise, O ye servants of the Lord - You who profess to serve and obey him; who acknowledge him as your God. In the original this is also the word “Hallelu,” הללוּ halelû.

Praise the name of the Lord - Still the same word “Hallelu.” The name of the Lord is put here, as it is often, for the Lord himself.

Blessed be the name of the Lord - Blessed be the Lord; or let the name of the Lord be blessed.

From this time forth and for evermore - Now and forever. He is worthy of praise now, and he ever will be. What he is now, he will always continue to be; and as praise is proper now, it will be forever and ever. An eternal God has claims to eternal praise.

From the rising of the sun ... — From the farthest east to the farthest west—the sun in its rising and setting being the remotest object that we see in the horizon.

The Lord’s name is to be praised — This does not mean that it “will” be—though that is true; but that it “ought” to be—that it is worthy of universal praise. All people in the east and in the west—everywhere—“should” praise and adore that name.

The Lord is high above all nations - Hebrew, "Exalted above all nations is Yahweh." That is, he rules over all nations; he directs their affairs; he is their sovereign king. As a matter of fact, and from the necessity of the case, he is on a throne which is elevated above all the kings and kingdoms of the world. He is the Sovereign not only of one nation, but of all; and it is fitting that this should be acknowledged by them all.

And his glory above the heavens - That which renders him glorious. The manifestations of his glorious character are not confined to the earth; they extend to the heavens; they are not confined to the visible heavens; they extend far beyond, in the regions of illimitable space. The universe—the earth and the starry worlds—all are full of the manifestations of his glory; and far beyond the bounds of created things (if they have a boundary), God is there—without limit—the same God—worthy there of universal praise! Who can comprehend such a God? Compare with the notes on Psalms 8:1.

Who is like unto the Lord our God? - Who can be compared with Yahweh our God? See the notes on Isaiah 40:17-25. The meaning is, that no creature - no idol - can be compared with Yahweh. The remark here has special reference to his attributes as immediately specified - his humbling himself to behold the things in heaven and on earth; his raising up the poor, etc. It is true "in general," in regard to God, that no creature can be compared with him; it is true, in regard to each one of his attributes, that they are far above all created excellence.

Who dwelleth on high - Margin, "exalts himself to dwell." Literally, "The one making high to sit." The language is applicable to one who is seated on a lofty throne. Compare Psalm 8:1. He has his dwelling - his throne - his permanent seat - in the heavens: so high and exalted that it requires infinite condescension to look upon the earth, or even upon the heavens.