Psalm 113:⁵ Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, ⁶ who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? ⁷ He raises the poor from the dust, and lifts the needy from the ash heap, ⁸ to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people. ⁹ He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!

It’s good to read a psalm of praise this morning, as opposed to a psalm of lament which have been common of late as we follow the Moravian Daily Texts reading plan. I’m interested in the ways in which the psalmist describes God’s actions from his seat “on high”. The writer highlights the following:

• Raises the poor from the dust
• Lifts the needy from the ash heap
• Makes (the poor and needy) sit with princes
• Gives barren women a home by giving her children

As we know, God did many other things which might have made the list. God led the people from slavery in Egypt, gave the formerly nomadic Hebrews a land of their own, gave them victory in battle, brought upon them rich treasures from other nations, and much more.

But in today’s passage the writer highlights another dimension of God’s nature. God takes particular interest in advocacy for the poor, the dispossessed, the marginalized, the alien, the widow, the orphan. It’s a consistent theme in scripture, which has me thinking this morning. How is it that my church and my own life reflect God’s particular interest in people on the margins? I’ll be praying about this today. Lord open my heart and speak your word into me. Amen.