Yahweh, the Israelite high God bends down to uplift the downrodden : perspectives on the incomparability of Yahweh in Psalm 113

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to interpret the text of Psalm 113 theologically as a portrayal of the Israelite God, Yahweh. In order to do this the composition of the text, its genre and literary context, text analysis, dating and theological relevance have been investigated. Yahweh is depicted in Psalm 113 as an incomparable God. He is king, creator and God of justice. In this hymn there is a call on his servants to praise him. He deserves praise because he stoops down as enthroned king to uplift the destitute and downtrodden. This unexpected and unequalled deed by this exalted divine royalty of elevating the needy and the despised greatly enhances Yahweh's character. He is simultaneously transcendent and immanent of nature. Wordplay, the presence of sun imagery and the function of the rhetorical question in the psalm that depicts Yahweh as an incomparable God, are all allusions to polemical attitudes that surfaced with respect to Yahweh and other ancient Near Eastern deities. Yahweh's kingship surpasses that of Shamash, Baal, Marduk, Re/Amun-Re or Ilu (El). For this he should be praised.