Psalm 146

1. Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.
2. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
3. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
5. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:
6. Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:
7. Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:
8. The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:
9. The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10. The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.

A Song of Trust and Adoration

Psalm 146 is a hymn of praise and trust in the Lord, celebrating His sovereignty and faithfulness. In its ten verses, we encounter a heartfelt expression of devotion and reliance on God’s unfailing care. Each stanza serves as a testament to the enduring love and power of our Creator.

The psalm begins with a resounding call to praise the Lord with all one’s soul, emphasizing the personal nature of worship and the depth of devotion owed to God. It sets the tone for a song of adoration and trust, as the psalmist declares their commitment to praise God throughout their life.

Verse three serves as a cautionary reminder against placing trust in human leaders, whose power and influence are fleeting. Instead, the psalmist exhorts us to place our trust in the Lord, whose help is steadfast and unwavering.

The fleeting nature of human life is underscored in verse four, where the brevity of mortal existence is contrasted with the eternal nature of God’s truth and faithfulness. Here, we are reminded of the transience of earthly power and the enduring stability of God’s kingdom.

In verses five through nine, we find a litany of reasons to trust in the Lord, as the psalmist extols His attributes and actions. From His role as Creator of heaven and earth to His compassion for the oppressed and marginalized, God is depicted as a source of hope and refuge for all who put their trust in Him.

The psalm concludes with a declaration of God’s eternal reign and a call to praise Him for His everlasting faithfulness. It serves as a fitting finale to a song of trust and adoration, reminding us of the enduring nature of God’s love and the certainty of His reign over all creation.

In conclusion, Psalm 146 invites us to place our trust in the Lord, who alone is worthy of our praise and devotion. It is a song of confidence in God’s sovereignty and a celebration of His faithfulness to His people. Let us, therefore, join with the psalmist in praising the Lord with all our soul, for He is our hope and our salvation. Praise ye the Lord!