Psalm 113 · a question people ask
If the LORD is "high above all nations" (113:4), is he far off?
The psalm says both things of him together. He "has his seat on high" (113:5), and he is the one "who stoops down to see in heaven and on the earth" (113:6). The next verse says what he does: "He raises up the poor out of the dust" (113:7). Another psalm puts the two side by side: "For though the LORD is high, yet he looks after the lowly" (Psalm 138:6), where is high is the Hebrew word of Psalm 113:4 and looks after is the verb of Psalm 113:6's see. Solomon, standing before the LORD's altar (1 Kings 8:22), said, "Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you" (1 Kings 8:27). And in Isaiah "the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity" says, "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit" (Isaiah 57:15). Psalm 113 doesn't choose between his being high and his stooping down. It praises him for both.
The verses
“The LORD is high above all nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD, our God, who has his seat on high, who stoops down to see in heaven and on the earth? He raises up the poor out of the dust, and lifts up the needy from the ash heap,”
“For though the LORD is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but he knows the proud from afar.”
“Solomon stood before the LORD’s altar in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven;”
“But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house that I have built!”