Psalm 113 - The Egyptian Hallel



Psalm 113



Psalm 113 - the text for tomorrow's sermon - is sometimes described as the "Egyptian Hallel" - and was sung in conjunction with the major Jewish festivals, particularly the Passover celebration.  At the Passover Psalms 113 and 114 are sung before the meal, and 115 - 118 afterwards.

Psalm 113 is a sort of "rags to riches" psalm - but not as we might expect.  The American dream is built upon a confidence that one can, with hard work and motivation, transcend the limitations of one's social class - that there is an ability to move between the social classes.  We see this hope reiterated in the popular aspects of our culture.  It's in our movies - like Rocky and Slumdog Millionaire and The Blindside.  It's in our game shows.  It's in our music - think of every hip-hop song about leaving the ghetto and becoming rich and famous.  In America one can go from rags to riches, from poverty to wealth, from obscurity to fame, if one works hard enough and has enough drive.... At least that is the dream.  The reality may be much less golden.

But the rags to riches aspect of Psalm 113 isn't based on the individual's motivation or hard work.  It comes, instead, as a gift from God.

Before their Babylonian exile, the Jewish people farmed ancestral lands handed down from father to son over generations.   And because they believed that God gave families the land they tilled, the harvest was a direct reflection of God's blessing.  Ideally, the rich and prosperous farmer was a righteous man; the two were linked. But after their return from exile those ancestral lands were confiscated - taken from them and given over to foreign landlords.  The Jewish people became tenant farmers and were expected to pay heavy taxes to their foreign rulers.   Under this occupation Israel began to change their thinking.  No longer did they identify with the rich and prosperous farmer (or strive to identify with him.)  Instead, they identified with with the poor man - the ones without land and burdened with tribute.  But their return to their homeland had given them hope.  Now they understood that God smiled upon the poor and had given them a place of honor.

Their rags to riches wasn't a hope that with enough hard work they could rise above their situation - but rather a confidence that no matter how poor they were, God smiled upon them and that it would be God who would lift them up from the dunghill.