NOTES for Psa 113
It is hard to imagine a situation in which, while listening to another person pray, we would allow ourselves to say: “He is not at his best today; he could have said it more beautifully, he repeats himself too often, and in general he is talking about the wrong thing.” It is the same when reflecting on the Psalms: very often there are simply no words, because before us is an example of living prayer, another person’s conversation with God.
Nevertheless, today’s psalm is the cry of a person overflowing with gratitude, who uses whatever comes to hand to glorify God. Not for any particular deeds, not in response to a request. It is simply the cry of a person who is delighted, amazed, and overwhelmed by the realization that God is Love.