Sermon Summary
Main Point: Praise the LORD for He exalts the humble—by humbling Himself.
In this sermon on Psalm 113, we’re reminded that God is worthy of praise not only for His greatness but for how He uses His unmatched power—by humbling Himself to lift up the lowly. Unlike earthly rulers who try to present themselves as champions of the common people, God, the true Most High, doesn't simply look down from His throne. Instead, He enters into our condition, ultimately becoming one of us through Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself even to death on a cross. This self-giving love shows God’s heart to raise the poor and needy, giving life to the spiritually barren, and offers us a vision of greatness marked by humility and compassion. This message challenges both believers and seekers to reject worldly power and, instead, embrace Christ's example of true exaltation through humility and sacrificial love.
Sermon Outline:
The Most High is to be highly praised! (vv. 1-4, 9b)
The Most High “Makes Low” (vv. 5-6)
The Most High Exalts the Low (Vv. 7-9a)
Sermon Text: Psalm 113
113 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 forevermore!
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,
and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
on the heavens and 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 gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!
Discussion Questions:
Psalm 113 describes God as “enthroned on high” yet willing to “stoop down” to care for the lowly. How does this portrayal of God challenge or deepen your understanding of what it means to be “great” or “powerful”?
In what ways have you experienced God’s care during times when you felt lowly, poor, or spiritually barren? How can we, as followers of Christ, be channels of that same care for others?
Jesus exemplified God’s humility by becoming human and dying on the cross. How does Christ’s humility impact the way we approach leadership, power, and influence in our own lives?
Earthly leaders often seek personal glory and power, while God uses His power to lift up the needy. How can we distinguish between worldly and godly uses of power in our daily lives? What changes might we make to better reflect God’s way of using power?
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