lectionary.com

Pentecost Season · Mary's Visitation · Year A

Psalm 113

He Raises the Poor from the Dust

May 31, 2026

The Visitation, Mariotto Albertinelli
The Visitation, Mariotto Albertinelli, 1503Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence
A Florentine altarpiece pared down to two women under an arch, holding each other's forearms, with nothing else in the picture at all.Psalm 113 lifts the poor from the dust and gives the barren woman a household, and this is the meeting that produced the Magnificat.Mariotto AlbertinelliA Florentine painter who worked in partnership with Fra Bartolomeo, quarrelled constantly with critics, and gave up painting to run an inn.Galleria degli Uffizi, FlorenceBuilt as Medici offices, hence the name, and turned over to the family's art collection, which was left to the city on condition it never leave.Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelLuke 1:39-57Lk 1:39-57
EpistleRom. 12:9-16bRom 12:9-16b
Old Testament1 Sam. 2:1-101 Sm 2:1-10
PsalterPs. 113Ps 113

Overview & Insights

"He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap." (Psalm 113:7)

Psalm 113 calls for praise of the Lord who is exalted above all yet stoops to lift the poor and give the barren woman a home. Its theme of reversal connects with the songs of Hannah and Mary.

From Sermons.com: Join Today to access the most scholarly & well written preaching resources anywhere.

Take it further: Psalm 113

Commentary

Psalm 113Ps 113 Working Preacher

A Luther Seminary commentary on the psalm's praise of the God who lifts the poor, appointed for the Visitation.

Psalm 113Ps 113 Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse by verse evangelical commentary on the psalm's call to praise the God who stoops to help.

Classic commentaries on Psalm 113Classic commentaries on Ps 113 BibleHub

A classic aggregator stacking historic verse by verse commentary on Psalm 113.

Psalm 113, Barnes' NotesPs 113, Barnes' Notes StudyLight

Albert Barnes' notes on the whole of Psalm 113, verse by verse.

Background & Word Study

Psalm 113 in HebrewPs 113 in Hebrew Sefaria

The Hebrew text with classical Jewish commentaries alongside for close reading.

The Church Fathers

Psalm 113, patristic commentaryPs 113, patristic commentary Catena

A verse linked catena of early church interpretation of Psalm 113.

Prep at sermons.com

Ready to write?

  • Full sermons on Luke 1:39-57
  • Illustrations cleared for use in worship
  • Commentary, quotes, and Bible dictionary
Open it at sermons.com →

Trusted by pastors since 1995.

Free every Tuesday

Illustrations & Sermon Prep in your inbox

The coming Sunday’s readings, a cleared-for-use illustration, and a sermon-prep head start. One email, free.