Psalm 146:5–10
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. – Psalm 146:5
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Psalm 146, alongside with Psalms 147-150, are a group of psalms that begin and end with the phrase “Praise the LORD!”. A common theme in these psalms is that the LORD’s reign makes him a sure hope for His suffering people. Psalm 146 begins with the psalmist inviting the congregation to centre their lives on an attitude of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD.
In verses 3-4, the psalmist cautions us not to place our “trust in princes”, a reference to worldly riches and powers, because this “son of man” is but a mere mortal and his breath departs when he returns to the earth, a stark reminder of the mortality of all living beings. No matter how much power a leader may hold, his grand plans and legacy vanishes on the very day he perishes. It amounts to nothing! Instead, we are exhorted to trust in the real God, Yahweh, who is the God of Jacob, who made the heaven and earth, the sea and everything that is in them. These words were taken from Exodus 20:11 and echo Genesis 1. The LORD’s existence and reign are forever, and so are His plans.
The LORD is particularly concerned about the weak – the oppressed, those who are hungry, the prisoners, the blind, the downcast, the foreigners, the widows, the fatherless. These are the least and the most disadvantaged members of society. They often find themselves entrapped in circumstances that may paralyse them. In their desperation, they look to the LORD for help.
The LORD’s coming reign promises a new way for those who have been marginalised by the world in its current state. On that day, the last will be first, restored as full members, while those who currently bask in earthly glories will find themselves in deep sorrow. God’s impending Kingdom is one in which the current order of things is about to be reversed. The psalmist assures the congregation that the LORD will bring an end to the way of the wicked and a new world is about to begin, not for a term of rule but for generations to come.
This Christmas, we are reminded of the words of the angel Gabriel towards Mary when she conceived Jesus.
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” – Luke 1:31-33
Reflection:
1. God’s heart is for the weak and the least in society. He is concerned with their well-being. What are you concerned with today?
2. The psalmist exhorts us to live a life in praise of God by learning to place our hope in Him. What does this look like for you?
Prayer:
Dear God, in this season of Advent, we want to prepare our hearts for the reign of God to take root in a deep and lasting way. Guide us and help us in the big and small moments, to orient our lives in a way that reflects Kingdom priorities. Show us the false gods in our lives and wean us off them so that we may truly learn to hope in You and live for You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Click To read the passage
Psalm 146, alongside with Psalms 147-150, are a group of psalms that begin and end with the phrase “Praise the LORD!”. A common theme in these psalms is that the LORD’s reign makes him a sure hope for His suffering people. Psalm 146 begins with the psalmist inviting the congregation to centre their lives on an attitude of praise and thanksgiving to the LORD.
In verses 3-4, the psalmist cautions us not to place our “trust in princes”, a reference to worldly riches and powers, because this “son of man” is but a mere mortal and his breath departs when he returns to the earth, a stark reminder of the mortality of all living beings. No matter how much power a leader may hold, his grand plans and legacy vanishes on the very day he perishes. It amounts to nothing! Instead, we are exhorted to trust in the real God, Yahweh, who is the God of Jacob, who made the heaven and earth, the sea and everything that is in them. These words were taken from Exodus 20:11 and echo Genesis 1. The LORD’s existence and reign are forever, and so are His plans.
The LORD is particularly concerned about the weak – the oppressed, those who are hungry, the prisoners, the blind, the downcast, the foreigners, the widows, the fatherless. These are the least and the most disadvantaged members of society. They often find themselves entrapped in circumstances that may paralyse them. In their desperation, they look to the LORD for help.
The LORD’s coming reign promises a new way for those who have been marginalised by the world in its current state. On that day, the last will be first, restored as full members, while those who currently bask in earthly glories will find themselves in deep sorrow. God’s impending Kingdom is one in which the current order of things is about to be reversed. The psalmist assures the congregation that the LORD will bring an end to the way of the wicked and a new world is about to begin, not for a term of rule but for generations to come.
This Christmas, we are reminded of the words of the angel Gabriel towards Mary when she conceived Jesus.
“And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end.” – Luke 1:31-33
Reflection:
1. God’s heart is for the weak and the least in society. He is concerned with their well-being. What are you concerned with today?
2. The psalmist exhorts us to live a life in praise of God by learning to place our hope in Him. What does this look like for you?
Prayer:
Dear God, in this season of Advent, we want to prepare our hearts for the reign of God to take root in a deep and lasting way. Guide us and help us in the big and small moments, to orient our lives in a way that reflects Kingdom priorities. Show us the false gods in our lives and wean us off them so that we may truly learn to hope in You and live for You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.