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Psalms 146

10 verses

TL;DR

Psalm 146 is a hymn that urges worship of God, warns against placing trust in humans, and celebrates God's justice and care for the oppressed.

Summary

The psalm opens with a call to praise the LORD and declares that the speaker will sing His praises as long as he lives. It immediately cautions against trusting princes or humans, who are fleeting and lack true help. The psalm then exalts God’s creative power and eternal truth, noting that He makes heaven, earth, and sea, and that He keeps truth forever. It portrays God as a just judge who cares for the oppressed, feeds the hungry, frees prisoners, opens the eyes of the blind, and lifts the downtrodden. The psalm highlights God's compassion toward strangers, the fatherless, and the widow, while turning the course of the wicked. It concludes with a declaration that the LORD will reign forever, addressing Zion and encouraging further praise.

Outline
  1. Praise and warning against human trust
  2. Exaltation of God’s creation and just care
  3. Assurance of God’s eternal reign
Themes
Trust in God versus trust in humansDivine justice for the oppressedSovereignty and eternal reign of God
Keywords
PraiseGodTrustJusticeOppressedBlindRighteousStrangerFatherlessWidowWicked
People
PrinceSon of ManZion
Places
JacobHeavenEarthSeaZion
Things
GodHeavenEarthSeaTruthJusticeFoodPrisonersEyes of the blindRighteousStrangersFatherlessWidowWicked
Key Verses
  • Psalms 146:3: warns against trusting princes and humans, setting the psalm’s thematic tone.
  • Psalms 146:5: declares the blessedness of trusting in God, framing the psalm’s message of faith.
  • Psalms 146:7: illustrates God’s justice by feeding the hungry and freeing prisoners.
  • Psalms 146:8: demonstrates God’s care for the blind and the downtrodden, emphasizing compassion.
  • Psalms 146:10: confirms God’s eternal reign and invites continual praise.
Questions
  • What does Psalm 146 suggest about the nature of true trust?
  • How does the psalm describe God’s justice toward the oppressed?
  • In what ways does the psalm encourage believers to respond to God’s care?
Sentiment

positive
Encouraging praise and assurance of God’s care.