THE REFUGE
Psalm 113 is the opening song sung by Israel during its great feasts, especially at Passover. Before the Passover meal, God’s people praised the Lord who had redeemed them from slavery in Egypt. Though Psalm 113 is not a retelling of the Exodus, it calls the redeemed to worship the God who accomplished that mighty deliverance, a redemption that ultimately points to the greater salvation found in Jesus Christ.
With that glorious redemption in view, the Israelites remembered how they had suffered under the hand of Pharaoh in Egypt. By His mighty power, God sent forth His servant Moses to accomplish His sovereign will. Through Moses, the Lord spoke, and devastating plagues came upon the entire nation. For many years His people endured the taskmaster’s whip. They were forced to build the Egyptian kingdom under the cruel rule of a hardened and tyrannical king.
Yet God hardened Pharaoh’s heart again and again until the land of Egypt lay in ruins. Pharaoh’s iron scepter was finally broken when the mighty hand of Jehovah entered Egypt at midnight in judgment. From the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat upon his throne to the firstborn of the servant who was behind the millstones, death swept across the land. A great cry arose throughout Egypt such as had never been heard before and would never be heard again.
But God passed over His own people because of the blood of the lamb that had been applied to the two doorposts and the lintel of their homes. He delivered them from the bondage of Egypt. This redemption was to be remembered and celebrated year after year so that His people would never forget His gracious mercy toward His covenant people and His righteous judgment upon the rebellious.
Though Psalm 113 is brief, it overflows with adoration. Having remembered God’s mighty deliverance from Egypt, the psalm now turns our eyes from the gift to the Giver. It begins and ends with a call to praise, directing the hearts of God’s redeemed people to worship.
In this psalm, I would especially draw your attention to verse 3, “From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” It is a call for God’s people to reflect upon His mercy throughout the entire day. From the moment our eyes open in the morning until they close again at night, our hearts should continually give thanks to the One who has redeemed us.
Oh, the merciful compassion of our God. As glorious as Israel’s redemption from Egypt was, it merely foreshadowed a far greater redemption. The blood of the Passover lamb pointed to Jesus Christ, the true and perfect Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. By His redeeming love, He has delivered His people from everlasting judgment. Jesus Christ willingly laid down His life for all whom the Father had given Him, all who come to Him in faith and repentance.
Believer, God has called you. The mighty arrow of His love pierced your heart, bringing you from spiritual death to saving faith in Christ. Beyond all human comprehension, He set His love upon you before the foundation of the world and called you by name. This salvation is both personal and intentional. The God who upholds the universe by the word of His power has set His eternal affection upon His children.
The sword of divine justice that once demanded your condemnation has been satisfied in Christ. The dark cloud of God’s holy wrath that once hung over you has been removed. The power of death has been broken, the condemnation that once awaited you has been removed, and Christ has triumphed over the grave. Praise be to the God of heaven, for the fullness of God’s wrath was turned away from you and poured out upon His beloved Son.
For it is written, “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and You lay me in the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded me; a band of evildoers has encompassed me; they pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones. They look, they stare at me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.”
Come now, all who have bowed the knee to Jesus Christ. Lift up your voice upon the earth, “Praise the LORD! Praise, O servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and forever. From the rising of the sun to its setting the name of the LORD is to be praised. The LORD is high above all nations; His glory is above the heavens.”
“O LORD, I will give thanks to You, for although You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” Amen.
“From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” Psalm 113:3