Psalm 113 7

Psalm 113:7 kjv

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

Psalm 113:7 nkjv

He raises the poor out of the dust, And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,

Psalm 113:7 niv

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;

Psalm 113:7 esv

He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap,

Psalm 113:7 nlt

He lifts the poor from the dust
and the needy from the garbage dump.

Psalm 113 verses

Psalm 113 7 Meaning

Psalm 113:7 declares God's mighty act of elevation, showing His concern for the lowliest and most disadvantaged in society. It proclaims that the sovereign Lord, despite His transcendence, intervenes in the lives of the poor and needy, raising them from positions of extreme destitution and dishonor to places of dignity and prominence. This verse emphasizes God's compassion, justice, and power to reverse human fortunes, demonstrating His unique character among the nations.

Psalm 113 7 Context

Psalm 113 is the first of the Egyptian Hallel (Psalms 113-118), sung during significant Jewish festivals like Passover, Weeks (Pentecost), and Booths (Tabernacles). The psalm begins by calling servants of the Lord to praise His name due to His unparalleled greatness and majesty (vv. 1-4). However, the surprising turn comes in verses 5-6, which speak of God "humbling Himself" to observe the heavens and the earth. Verse 7 directly follows this, elaborating on how God manifests this condescension: by caring for the marginalized. The historical and cultural context highlights that in ancient societies, poverty was often associated with shame and being ostracized, lacking social standing or means of support. The "dust" and "ash heap" were concrete images of the lowest social and economic conditions. Individuals in such states were considered destitute, on the fringes of society, often without hope for improvement. The psalm, therefore, presents a powerful polemic against any notion that divine favor equates with earthly prosperity or that the poor are forsaken by God; instead, God is uniquely concerned with uplifting them.

Psalm 113 7 Word analysis

• He raises (יָקִים, yāqīm) / lifts (יָרִים, yārīm): These are Hiphil forms of קוּם (qûm, to rise/stand up) and רוּם (rûm, to be high/exalted). The Hiphil conjugation indicates causing something to happen, emphasizing God as the active agent who initiates the uplift. This isn't self-elevation; it's a divine intervention.

• the poor (דָּל, dāl): Refers to those who are economically weak, feeble, or without means, often due to social disadvantage or oppression. It denotes their powerlessness.

• from the dust (מֵעָפָר, mēʻāp̄ār): עָפָר (ʻāp̄ār) literally means "dust," "earth," or "dry earth." It symbolizes the lowest, most debased state of humility, dishonor, or even a return to the ground (death). To be raised from the dust implies a complete reversal from degradation and oblivion.

• and the needy (אֶבְיוֹן, ʾeḇyōn): This term, similar to דָּל (dāl), often emphasizes dependency and an inward recognition of one's own destitute state, relying solely on God or others for aid. They are genuinely lacking and deeply poor.

• from the ash heap (מֵאַשְׁפֹּת, mēʾašpōṯ): אַשְׁפֹּת (ʾašpōṯ) means "ash heap" or "dunghill." In ancient Near Eastern culture, ash heaps were refuse dumps where the poor and sick might gather (like Job 2:8), often signifying extreme abjection, disease, and social ostracism. To be lifted from this place implies a profound social and physical restoration, not just economic, but a rescue from ultimate squalor and contempt.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "He raises the poor from the dust": This phrase speaks to God's act of picking up those who are at their absolute lowest point, socially, economically, or spiritually, elevating them from the very ground they have fallen to or been cast upon. It signifies resurrection from a state akin to lifelessness or irrelevance.
  • "and lifts the needy from the ash heap": This parallelism reinforces the previous line, but with even greater emphasis on extreme squalor and rejection. The "ash heap" suggests a place not merely of poverty, but of defilement and utter despair, a place where people were literally discarded. God's action here is one of purification and radical rehabilitation, not just economic betterment, but social and spiritual renewal. These two parallel lines together form a poetic device highlighting God's complete and comprehensive reversal of status for the destitute.

Psalm 113 7 Bonus section

The "dust" (עָפָר) is sometimes used in the Bible to signify a vast multitude or uncountable numbers (e.g., Gen 13:16) or the origin of humanity (Gen 2:7, Ps 103:14). Here, in a single person context, it evokes deep humiliation and lowliness, contrasting with God's infinite greatness. The image of the "ash heap" was so strong that even a king would debase himself to it as an act of mourning or repentance (Jon 3:6). Thus, God lifting someone from the ash heap speaks to an unprecedented act of divine intervention, surpassing human means of recovery. This verse also finds significant theological resonance in the broader narrative of the Bible where God consistently works through the humble and the weak (e.g., choosing shepherds, fishermen, and the "least of these" for His kingdom purposes). It serves as a precursor to the radical social ethic espoused in the New Testament regarding caring for the poor.

Psalm 113 7 Commentary

Psalm 113:7 succinctly captures a foundational truth about God's character: His sovereign power is not distant but deeply engaged with the human condition, particularly in lifting the most marginalized. This divine act of raising the poor from the dust and lifting the needy from the ash heap is a powerful demonstration of justice and compassion. It dismantles the worldly perception that status and wealth indicate divine favor, affirming instead that God uniquely champions those whom society discards. This elevation is not merely a social or economic improvement, but a radical transformation from utter despair and dishonor to a place of dignity and new life. It underlines that God’s glory is magnified not just in His majesty over the cosmos but equally in His condescension to rescue the vulnerable. Practically, this inspires humility in those of high standing and hope in the downtrodden, reminding believers that God’s redemptive power extends even to the lowest rungs of society.