He humbles Himself to behold the heavens and the earth. He stoops to beholdThe phrase "He stoops to behold" captures the humility and condescension of God, who is exalted above all creation yet chooses to engage with His creation intimately. The Hebrew root for "stoops" is "shaphel," which implies bending down or lowering oneself. This action signifies God's willingness to lower Himself to observe and care for the affairs of humanity. In the ancient Near Eastern context, deities were often seen as distant and unapproachable, yet the God of Israel is depicted as one who actively involves Himself in the lives of His people. This reflects the Christian understanding of God's immanence, where He is both transcendent and near, caring deeply for His creation. to behold
The word "behold" in Hebrew is "ra'ah," meaning to see, perceive, or consider. It suggests not just a passive observation but an active, intentional gaze. God does not merely glance at His creation; He perceives and understands it fully. This aligns with the biblical narrative of a God who is omniscient, aware of every detail of His creation. Theologically, this speaks to God's intimate knowledge of our lives, reinforcing the belief that nothing escapes His notice and that He is deeply involved in the world He created. the heavens and the earth
The phrase "the heavens and the earth" is a merism, a figure of speech that uses two extremes to encompass everything in between. In the Hebrew Bible, "shamayim" (heavens) and "erets" (earth) together signify the totality of creation. This reflects the biblical worldview that God is sovereign over all realms, both the spiritual and the physical. Historically, this would have been a profound statement in a polytheistic culture where different gods were believed to rule different domains. The psalmist declares that the one true God is Lord over all, emphasizing His supreme authority and power. This comprehensive dominion assures believers of God's control over every aspect of existence, providing comfort and confidence in His providential care. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe central figure in this verse, God is depicted as humbling Himself to observe His creation, both in the heavens and on the earth. This highlights His transcendence and immanence. 2. Heavens and EarthThese represent the entirety of creation. The heavens often symbolize the spiritual realm or the universe, while the earth represents the physical world and humanity. Teaching Points God's Transcendence and ImmanenceGod is both above all creation and intimately involved with it. His willingness to humble Himself to observe His creation demonstrates His care and concern for the world. The Humility of GodGod's humility is a model for us. Just as He humbles Himself to engage with His creation, we are called to humble ourselves in our relationships with others. The Majesty of GodDespite His majesty and power, God chooses to engage with the world. This should inspire awe and worship, recognizing that the Creator of the universe is attentive to His creation. God's Attention to DetailGod's observation of the heavens and the earth suggests His attention to detail and His involvement in the minutiae of life. This reassures us that no aspect of our lives is too small for His notice. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of God humbling Himself to observe creation challenge or affirm your understanding of His nature? 2. In what ways can we emulate God's humility in our daily lives, particularly in our interactions with others? 3. How does the idea of God's transcendence and immanence provide comfort in times of personal struggle or uncertainty? 4. Reflect on a time when you felt God's attention to detail in your life. How did this experience impact your faith? 5. How can the humility of God, as seen in Psalm 113:6, inspire us to worship Him more fully and live out our faith with greater authenticity? Connections to Other Scriptures Philippians 2:5-8This passage describes Christ's humility in taking on human form, paralleling the humility of God in Psalm 113:6. Isaiah 57:15This verse speaks of God dwelling in a high and holy place but also with the contrite and lowly, emphasizing His ability to be both exalted and humble. 1 Kings 8:27Solomon acknowledges that even the highest heavens cannot contain God, yet He chooses to dwell among His people, reflecting the humility described in Psalm 113:6. People PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Behold, Heaven, Heavens, Humbles, Humbleth, Humbling, Looks, Low, StoopsDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 113:3-6 1110 God, present everywhere Psalm 113:5-6 9411 heaven Library Boniface, Apostle of the Germans.
BONIFACE, or Winfried, as they called him in Anglo-Saxon, born at Crediton in Devonshire, in 680, deserves to be honoured as the father of the German Church, although he was by no means the first who brought the seeds of the Gospel to Germany. Many had already laboured before him; but the efforts which had been made here and there did not suffice to secure the endurance of Christianity amongst the many perils to which it was exposed. Christianity needs to be linked with firm ecclesiastical institutions, …
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark PlacesThe Consecration of Joy
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 34. Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. 35. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. 36. Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord; on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the Lord: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture In the Last, the Great Day of the Feast'
IT was the last, the great day of the Feast,' and Jesus was once more in the Temple. We can scarcely doubt that it was the concluding day of the Feast, and not, as most modern writers suppose, its Octave, which, in Rabbinic language, was regarded as a festival by itself.' [3987] [3988] But such solemn interest attaches to the Feast, and this occurrence on its last day, that we must try to realise the scene. We have here the only Old Testament type yet unfilfilled; the only Jewish festival which has …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic Teaching.
It was probably on one of those mountain-ranges, which stretch to the north of Capernaum, that Jesus had spent the night of lonely prayer, which preceded the designation of the twelve to the Apostolate. As the soft spring morning broke, He called up those who had learned to follow Him, and from among them chose the twelve, who were to be His Ambassadors and Representatives. [2500] [2501] But already the early light had guided the eager multitude which, from all parts, had come to the broad level …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vehicles of Revelation; Scripture, the Church, Tradition.
(a) The supreme and unique revelation of God to man is in the Person of the Incarnate Son. But though unique the Incarnation is not solitary. Before it there was the divine institution of the Law and the Prophets, the former a typical anticipation (de Incarn. 40. 2) of the destined reality, and along with the latter (ib. 12. 2 and 5) for all the world a holy school of the knowledge of God and the conduct of the soul.' After it there is the history of the life and teaching of Christ and the writings …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius Letter xix (A. D. 1127) to Suger, Abbot of S. Denis
To Suger, Abbot of S. Denis He praises Suger, who had unexpectedly renounced the pride and luxury of the world to give himself to the modest habits of the religious life. He blames severely the clerk who devotes himself rather to the service of princes than that of God. 1. A piece of good news has reached our district; it cannot fail to do great good to whomsoever it shall have come. For who that fear God, hearing what great things He has done for your soul, do not rejoice and wonder at the great …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Messiah's Easy Yoke
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. T hough the influence of education and example, may dispose us to acknowledge the Gospel to be a revelation from God; it can only be rightly understood, or duly prized, by those persons who feel themselves in the circumstances of distress, which it is designed to relieve. No Israelite would think of fleeing to a city of refuge (Joshua 20:2. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 King of Kings and Lord of Lords
And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, K ING OF K INGS AND L ORD OF L ORDS T he description of the administration and glory of the Redeemer's Kingdom, in defiance of all opposition, concludes the second part of Messiah Oratorio. Three different passages from the book of Revelation are selected to form a grand chorus, of which Handel's title in this verse is the close --a title which has been sometimes vainly usurped by proud worms of this earth. Eastern monarchs, in particular, …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 113:6 NIVPsalm 113:6 NLTPsalm 113:6 ESVPsalm 113:6 NASBPsalm 113:6 KJV
Psalm 113:6 Commentaries
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