By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph.D.
Dean, Office for Global Engagement, University of Mobile
GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
Psalm 146:1–10
Our psalm this week comes from the last collection in Book Five, the final “hallelujah” psalms. They are given this designation because each of these songs begins and ends with the Hebrew words “hallelu Yah,” regionally translated as “y’all (For real because it’s the plural form of you.) praise Yahweh.”
The Declaration (1–2)
Verse one includes two imperatives. First y’all praise Yah(weh). Immediately following, the psalmist exhorts his own soul to praise Yahweh. An important note here is that the original Hebrew includes the vowels and consonants that look like this: Yehovah. The problem with transliterating this name as Jehovah is that the vowels (e-o-a) indicate to the reader that the substitute name Aedonai is to be spoken. In this way, the Hebrews would never be guilty of misusing the name of Yahweh their God (the third commandment). Whenever the name Yahweh is replaced in the Hebrew reading with Aedonai (or Adonai), we read the name LORD (in all capital letters).
In verse two the psalmist declares his unceasing commitment to offer praise to Yahweh. We see parallel verbs “praise” and “sing praise” as well as parallel theological references to Yahweh and “my God.” The point here is that as long as believers have life, it is right and fitting for us to lift up our hands and lift up our voices in praise to God our Creator.
The Warning (3–4)
He warns us in these verses not to rely on humans whose authority and abilities are limited. Verse three is reminiscent of Psalm 20:7, except this carries the weight of a prohibition: “do not trust” or even “stop putting your trust” in princes or a son of man who cannot save. Why? Their lives and abilities are fleeting. Resting on temporal solutions and the agencies of men are feeble foundations. Where then is our hope?
The Worthy One (5–9)
Yahweh is the worthy one. He is the Creator. He is the faithful one. He is the just one. He sets the prisoners free. He loves the righteous. He provides for the stranger, the fatherless and the widow.
Yahweh reveals is His nature through the Torah. The people of Israel failed to reflect the character of their covenant God to the nations around them. Instead they compromised themselves and reflected the ungodly nations before their holy God.
In due time God became man. Jesus, the Word, “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). He sets the captives free. As Chris Tomlin wrote: “My chains are gone; I’ve been set free. My God, my Savior has ransomed me.”
The Reality (10)
“The Lord reigns forever … for all generations. Hallelujah.” Y’all praise Yahweh. He is worthy of praise. He revealed His plan from the beginning that He would redeem a people to Himself from every family (Gen. 12:3) and nation (Gen. 22:18). In time the Father sent the Son to live and die and rise again to bring us good news of redemption. Shortly thereafter He sent the Holy Spirit to empower the disciples-turned-apostles to proclaim the gospel to the nations. Now He includes us in His plan. We, who were dead in trespasses and sins, are made alive in Christ Jesus. Hallelujah, brothers and sisters. Praise the Lord.
A fitting end to this lesson is to join the heavenly choir who stand and sing the Hallelujah Chorus before the throne: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).
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