Psalms 113:7 (KJV)

What does Psalms 113:7 mean?

Psalms 113:7 says that God lifts people who are poor and needy from the lowest and most humble places, raising them up from the dust and the dunghill. The verse highlights God's care for those who are overlooked or in desperate situations, showing that He pays attention to the humble and raises them up.

In this psalm, the writer is praising God and calling others to do the same, focusing on how God acts with compassion and power. The verse uses vivid images—"dust" and "dunghill"—to describe extreme poverty and social rejection, making it clear that God’s attention reaches even those at the very bottom of society.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 113:7

• "up" (קוּם, qum): This word means "to rise" or "to raise up." Here, it emphasizes God’s active role in changing someone’s situation, not just noticing but actually lifting them.
• "poor" (דַּל, dal): This word refers to someone who is weak, powerless, or lacking resources. It stresses vulnerability, not just financial poverty.
• "dust" (עָפָר, `afar): "Dust" often symbolizes humiliation or being brought low, sometimes even associated with death or mourning.
• "lifteth" (רוּם, rum): This word means "to lift high" or "to exalt." It adds the idea that God doesn’t just help a little, but raises people to a much higher place.
• "needy" (אֶבְיוֹן, 'evyon): This word describes someone in desperate need, often used for those who are destitute or begging.
• "dunghill" (אַשְׁפָּה, ashpah): This refers to a heap of refuse or garbage, a place of shame and exclusion. The image is of someone being taken from a place nobody wants to be.

Why Psalms 113:7 matters

• This verse clears up any idea that God only cares for the powerful or wealthy; it shows that He is especially attentive to those who are overlooked or in distress.
• The language connects to the larger theme of the psalm, which is about God’s greatness being shown in His kindness to the lowly, not just in grand displays of power.
• The verse sets up a contrast with the next verses, where God not only lifts the poor but also seats them with princes, highlighting the dramatic reversal God can bring about.