Psalms – Chapter 113

Old Testament26 Verses

1When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a barbarous people:

2Judea was made his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.

3The sea saw and fled: Jordan was turned back.

4The mountains skipped like rams, and the hills like the lambs of the flock.

5What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou didst flee: and thou, O Jordan, that thou wast turned back?

6Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams, and ye hills, like lambs of the flock?

7At the presence of the Lord the earth was moved, at the presence of the God of Jacob:

8Who turned the rock into pools of water, and the stony hill into fountains of waters.

9Not to us, O Lord, not to us; but to thy name give glory.

10For thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake: lest the Gentiles should say: Where is their God?

11But our God is in heaven: he hath done all things whatsoever he would.

12The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold, the works of the hands of men.

13They have mouths and speak not: they have eyes and see not.

14They have ears and hear not: they have noses and smell not.

15They have hands and feel not: they have feet and walk not: neither shall they cry out through their throat.

16Let them that make them become like unto them: and all such as trust in them.

17The house of Israel hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.

18The house of Aaron hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.

19They that fear the Lord have hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.

20The Lord hath been mindful of us, and hath blessed us. He hath blessed the house of Israel: he hath blessed the house of Aaron.

21He hath blessed all that fear the Lord, both little and great.

22May the Lord add blessings upon you: upon you, and upon your children.

23Blessed be you of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

24The heaven of heaven is the Lord's: but the earth he has given to the children of men.

25The dead shall not praise thee, O Lord: nor any of them that go down to hell.

26But we that live bless the Lord: from this time now and for ever.

Reflection for Today

The message of Psalms Chapter 113 unfolds within the broader narrative of prayer, praise, and the full range of human emotion before God. Catholic theology, drawing on the Psalms are the prayer book of the Church, prayed daily in the Liturgy of the Hours (CIC 2585-2589), sees in this chapter a call to deeper faith. The principle that God invites us to bring all our emotions to Him guides our interpretation.

The Church Fathers, including St. Augustine, St. Jerome, and St. John Chrysostom, devoted themselves to explaining Scripture for the faithful. Their insights, preserved in the Church's Tradition, continue to illuminate our reading. The Catechism reminds us that "the Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures as she venerated the Body of the Lord" (CIC 103).

As you engage with this chapter, bring your questions, struggles, and hopes to the text. God's Word addresses the whole person—mind, heart, and will. Through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we receive the grace to live what we read. May this chapter strengthen your faith and deepen your love for Christ and His Church.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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