Psalms 113:9 Meaning and Explanation
“He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →God opens the womb of the childless, transforming sorrow into joy and fulfilling His promise of family.
The Context of Psalms 113:9
The psalm concludes with God's power to reverse barrenness and bring joy.
What Does Psalms 113:9 Mean?
The final example of God's transformative power concerns a barren woman. In biblical culture, childlessness was not merely a personal grief but a social shame. God 'maketh' her to keep house and become a mother—reversing both her physical condition and her social standing. She moves from isolation to the joy of motherhood and family life.
This verse echoes God's promises to the childless throughout Scripture (Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth). It testifies that what human medicine and society declare impossible, God can accomplish. The transformation is complete: from barrenness to fruitfulness, from shame to joy. The psalm closes as it began—with a call to praise, now reinforced by these concrete demonstrations of God's power to uplift and restore.
Psalms 113:9 in the Original Language
בָּרָה (barah) does not appear in this verse; the psalm uses Hebrew vocabulary for 'makes' (שׂוֹם) and 'barren woman' (עֲקָרָה) to show God's restoration of what was broken.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 113:9
What does Psalms 113:9 mean?
God opens the womb of the childless, transforming sorrow into joy and fulfilling His promise of family.
What is the context of Psalms 113:9?
The psalm concludes with God's power to reverse barrenness and bring joy.