“His glory is above the heavens” (verse 4). That’s what the author of Psalm 113 said about the Lord, at a time when no one knew about more than the 9,110 stars, planets and novae that are visible to the naked eye. But yesterday, with the first pictures from the new James Webb Space Telescope being released, we can see ever more clearly that the universe is far, far larger, with light from the most distant galaxies taking billions of years to reach our planet.

So, it’s no wonder that a God Who could create something so unimaginably great with a single Word is worthy of an even greater amount of praise. Of course every nation in every place throughout time should give all honor and glory to the Creator of all things (verses 1-4).

But the psalmist chooses to focus on yet another, and perhaps even more amazing reason for praising the Lord: that a God of such infinite power would take notice of anything at all on this tiny speck of dust we call earth (verse 6). And more than that, our Creator has chosen to get involved in the daily lives of even His most insignificant creatures, raising the poor and needy out of their misery, and giving them the honor that only princes normally receive (verses 7 and 8). He is the One Who makes the miracle of childbirth possible, even for those who have lost all hope of conception (verse 9).

And this isn’t just poetic hyperbole. For God in fact came into this world as a baby born to a virgin. And Jesus grew up in an insignificant family from among a conquered and oppressed people. But more than that, He was despised and rejected by those people, crucified as a blasphemer and a traitor. It’s hard to imagine anyone falling farther. And yet it is precisely such humility that made our salvation possible.

So yes, let’s praise the Lord for His unimaginable power and glory in Creation. But let’s also honor Him for His humility, for going to the cross so that all who trust in Him might live with Him forever.

Psalm 113 (NASB)

Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD. Praise the name of the LORD.
2 Blessed be the name of the LORD From this time forth and forever.
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting The name of the LORD is to be praised.
4 The LORD is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens.
5 Who is like the LORD our God, Who is enthroned on high,
6 Who humbles Himself to behold The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust, And lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 To make them sit with princes, With the princes of His people.
9 He makes the barren woman abide in the house As a joyful mother of children. Praise the LORD!