Psalms 113:1

PSALM CXIII

An exhortation to bless God for his own excellencies, 1-6;

and for his great mercy to the poor and necessitous, 7-9.

NOTES ON PSALM CXIII

Psalms 113, Psalms 114, Psalms 115, Psalms 116, Psalms 117, and Psalms 118, form the great Hallel, and were sung by the Jews on their most solemn festivals, and particularly at the passover. To these reference is made by the evangelists, Matthew 26:30, and Mark 14:26, there called the hymn which Jesus and his disciples sung at the passover, for the whole of the Psalms were considered as one grand hymn or thanksgiving. It was probably composed after the return from the captivity. It has no title but Hallelujah in the Hebrew and ancient Versions.

Verse Psalms 113:1. Praise, O ye servants] Probably an address to the Levites. The Anglo-Saxon has [A.S.], praise the Lord, ye knaves. Knapa or knave signified among our ancestors a servant; sometimes a male, a young man.