Series: Blessed Be
Psalm 113:8 ESV
Matthew 26:26-30 ESV
Reference to the needy being raised out of the dust and the ash heap (Psalm 113:7)
Psalm 113:8 MSG
God exalts the lowly.
Psalm 113 begins with who God is in relation to heaven and earth. Then the psalm writer moves on to identify God’s care and attention to creation.
We know from Psalm 113:7 that God is attentive to the poor in spirit that God raises out of the dust and the needy out of the ash heap.
Then we are told that God is so very attentive that the poor in spirit will be allowed to sit with the princes (leaders).
Psalm 113:8 says, “to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.”
We have looked at the meaning of Psalm 113 from the viewpoint of God in relationship to creation in a general sense, and that is accurate. However, scripture often has or can have meaning and symbolic meaning at the same time.
In other words, Psalm 113 has meaning for us today and it also has deeper meaning for God’s plan and purpose for creation in a broader sense of the words.
Biblical experts believe it’s quite possible that this psalm (among others) would have been sung on the night in which Jesus was betrayed.
Matthew 26:26-30 says, “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
The hymn Jesus and His disciples sang that mentioned the poor who were raised out of the dust and the needy who were lifted out of the ash heap (Psalm 113:7), and that was no accident.
Jesus broke the bread saying, ‘this is my body’.
Then Jesus took the cup telling them to drink it as it was his blood.
The reference in the prior verse in Psalm 113:7 to being lifted out of the dust and the ash heap also could be significant to what Jesus was about to experience after the crucifixion.
When Jesus was resurrected on the third day, he did arise from the dust and the ash heap.
We mention the symbolism in the previous text at this point because of the reference to being seated with princes with the princes of the people.
Jesus on the cross was about to do just that.
With the new covenant, Everything was about to change.
Previously the poor in spirit were the poor in spirit.
Before Jesus, they did not know the Kingdom of God could be theirs.
They didn’t think they could be comforted.
They were hungry for righteousness but they didn’t know it.
They were meek, hungry, and thirsty but they didn’t know what could satisfy that longing.
They longed to see God but they didn’t know where to look.
They wanted peace but all they could see was chaos.
They had made mistakes (lots of mistakes) and they didn’t know how God could possibly love them.
They wanted to be with God when their time on earth was done but they didn’t think they were worthy.
They wanted more than anything else to be loved.
So…in my lifetime I’ve had different people who have told me those statements. Basically people don’t think they are worthy or deserving of God’s love. They don’t open their hands and reach out because they’ve been rejected so many times by “holy” people on earth…they are afraid to hope.
I tell them, yea me too but here’s the thing…all Jesus God wants is for you to open your hands.
Jesus IS God and can take care of the rest.
Psalm 113:8 says then Jesus “Seats them (you) among the honored guests, a place of honor among the brightest and best.” MSG
That’s exactly what Jesus wants for you. He wants you at His table.
Spiritual Practice: Open Hands
Either open your hands to Jesus and receive or if you’ve done that, tell Jesus about someone you know who really needs help in opening their hands.
In God, Deborah
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