PSALM 146

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 2 While I live I will praise the LORD; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Do not put your trust in princes, [Nor] in a son of man, in whom [there is] no help. 4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish. 5 Happy [is he] who [has] the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope [is] in the LORD his God, 6 Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that [is] in them; Who keeps truth forever, 7 Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. 8 The LORD opens [the eyes of] the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. 9 The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He turns upside down. 10 The LORD shall reign forever–Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

PSALM 146:1-10

HALLELUJAH!

I’m a big guy. I weigh more than the average man. I remember when “camp chairs” first came out. My friend had several set out and I was invited to sit in one. I wasn’t sure it would hold me, but then he insisted, and so I sat down. The chair did it’s best to hold my weight, but it lasted all of about 15 seconds. That’s how long it was between when I sat down and I laughed at something my friend said or did. Between the stress of my weight and the extra pressure/ movement of a hearty laugh the chair just gave up and broke into a few pieces. I felt foolish and embarrassed and it would be years before I trusted in a camp chair again.

But I remember the day that my brother shared about some more robust camp chairs. I was elated to find out they made some for people my size. After we bought one, I was careful the first several times I sat in it, because I wasn’t sure I could trust it, but it held every time. So now I hardly ever think about it when I sit in my chair. I even got to where I allowed my daughter to jump in my lap because I know the chair can hold the weight.

This whole ordeal with chairs taught me something about trust. When you trust something that can’t hold your weight your going to be let down (in a hard way), but when you trust something that can hold your weight you go a lot further with it.

This psalm begins with Hallelujah! Which is Hebrew for “Praise the LORD” (Notice that LORD is in all capitals representing the divine name of God). This is not only the psalmists insistence that he will praise the LORD, but a call to all who are singing and listening to also praise the LORD! The reason? Simply because you can trust Him. He can hold your weight. He is your creator and sustainer, if anyone knows your needs it’s Him!

To be honest we’ve been let down by things before. Maybe you bought a self-help book that sounded promising, but the more you got into it, the less it had to deliver. Maybe you voted for a particular candidate hoping they would turn this country around, but we still find ourselves in the same old mess.

The psalmist here says, “Praise the Lord! He is good! You can trust Him!” And he goes on to describe the greatness of God. He tells of His character, what He does, and what he looks for in us! You can praise the Lord because He is worthy of all praise! you can trust him and know that you won’t ever be let down or put to shame, but that He delivers on what He promises.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your incredible grace and mercy! Thank you that your are a God we can trust. You are not the figment of our imaginations. You are not a god created by human hands that will let us down, but that you are the LORD God almighty and you are worthy of worship, trust, and praise. We give you glory and honor today by trusting in you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.