Friday: Praise the LORD, O My Soul

Theme: The God Whom We Must Praise

In this week’s lessons from Psalm 146, we learn more about worship and the God who is the subject and object of our praise.

Scripture: Psalm 146:1-10

By looking at the Lord's name Jehovah, we have already learned that the Lord is our hope and that he remains faithful forever. What else can we learn? 

3. The LORD sets prisoners free (v. 7). This verse and the next take us to the New Testament where Jesus announced the purpose of his mission in the synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:18, 19), quoting from Isaiah 61:1, 2: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

As far as we know from the gospels, Jesus never literally freed anyone from prison. So that fact and the context here show that the deliverance in both places must be spiritual, a deliverance from sin. 

4. The LORD gives sight to the blind (v. 8). Likewise with blindness. The greatest blindness of all is blindness to the truth of God disclosed in Scripture. But when Jehovah gives sight to the blind, the blind recognize the Bible to be true and place their faith in Jesus. 

5. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down (v. 8). Many things in life push us around or knock us down. But God cares for us when that happens and lifts us up again. The next psalm will say, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3). 

6. The LORD loves the righteous (v. 8). "Love” is an attitude rather than an action, as most of the previous items have been. It is mentioned here because it is the source of all the other actions. Why does God act in a trustworthy way toward us, uphold the oppressed, free prisoners, give sight to the blind and lift up those who are bowed down? The answer is because he loves us. It is not because we have made ourselves righteous. It is God who has made us righteous in Christ, and even that is because he loves us. 

7. The LORD watches over the alien (v. 9). The three cases listed in this verse—the alien, the fatherless and the widow—are often cited in the Old Testament as examples of those who are defenseless. But God watches over them and protects them from the wicked. This is like Psalm 145:20.

Will you praise him? Will you put your hope in God and worship God, as the only utterly trustworthy being in this universe? If you will not, your only alternative is despair and cynicism, for people will always let you down. The politicians, intellectuals and scientists will let you down. “Salvation comes from the LORD,” said Jonah, and he was right (Jonah 2:9). God alone is utterly good, utterly powerful and utterly trustworthy. Why settle for less? God is the only being about whom we can honestly and truly say, "Hallelujah."

Study Questions: 

1. What deliverance does Jesus provide? 
2. To what kind of blindness does v. 8 refer? 
3. How is love different from an action? What question does God’s love answer? 

Reflection: Will you put your hope in God and worship God, as the only utterly trustworthy being in this universe? 

For Further Study: Because these studies were first delivered as sermons, they can be used in a number of ways, including in various group studies in your church as well as for your own personal or family devotions. Order the three-volume paperback set, and receive 25% off the regular price.