Psalms 146

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 146

1¶ Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

2While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

3Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help.

4His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

5¶ Happy [is he] that [hath] the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope [is] in the LORD his God:

6Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein [is]: which keepeth truth for ever:

7Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:

8The LORD openeth [the eyes of] the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:

9The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

10The LORD shall reign for ever, [even] thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

The psalm opens with a fervent call to praise the LORD, emphasizing a lifelong commitment to glorifying God. It warns against placing trust in mortal princes or any human, as their help is fleeting and their plans perish. Instead, it declares blessedness for those who hope in the God of Jacob, who is the eternal Creator and compassionate provider for the needy and oppressed.

Medium Summary

Psalms 146 begins with a personal and communal exhortation to praise the LORD throughout one's existence. It strongly cautions against relying on human authority, such as princes, or any "son of man," highlighting their inherent mortality and the transience of their intentions. In stark contrast, the psalm proclaims the blessedness of those who find their help and hope in the LORD, the God of Jacob. This God is identified as the sovereign Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, who faithfully upholds truth forever. The psalm then enumerates His benevolent actions, including executing judgment for the oppressed, feeding the hungry, freeing prisoners, healing the blind, raising the downtrodden, and loving the righteous. He is further depicted as the preserver of strangers and the reliever of the fatherless and widow, while actively thwarting the way of the wicked. The psalm concludes by affirming the LORD's eternal reign over Zion, urging continuous praise.

Long Summary

Psalms 146 commences with a resounding call to praise the LORD, expressing a deep, personal commitment to sing praises to God for as long as life endures. The psalmist then issues a crucial admonition, advising against placing trust in human leaders, specifically "princes," or any "son of man," because their capacity for help is limited by their mortality; their breath departs, they return to dust, and their very thoughts perish on that day. In sharp contrast, the psalm declares the profound happiness and blessedness of those whose help and hope are firmly rooted in the LORD, the God of Jacob. This divine being is celebrated as the omnipotent Creator, who fashioned the heavens, the earth, the sea, and all their contents, and who steadfastly keeps truth for evermore. The psalm meticulously details the LORD's active and compassionate engagement with humanity: He executes judgment on behalf of the oppressed, provides sustenance for the hungry, and grants liberty to prisoners. Furthermore, the LORD is depicted as one who opens the eyes of the blind, raises those who are bowed down by affliction, and holds a special affection for the righteous. His care extends to the most vulnerable, as He preserves strangers, and offers relief to the fatherless and the widow. Conversely, the LORD actively confounds and turns upside down the path of the wicked. The psalm culminates in a powerful declaration of God's eternal sovereignty, affirming that the LORD, the God of Zion, shall reign throughout all generations, thereby reiterating the initial call to praise.

Core Concepts

  • Praise to the LORDThe psalm opens and closes with the exhortation "Praise ye the LORD," emphasizing a continuous, lifelong commitment to glorifying God.
  • Trust in Man vs. GodIt strongly warns against placing hope or reliance on mortal humans, especially princes, contrasting their transient nature with the eternal and unfailing help found in the God of Jacob.
  • God as CreatorThe LORD is identified as the one who "made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is," underscoring His ultimate power and sovereignty.
  • God's Justice and CompassionThe psalm highlights God's active role in upholding justice for the oppressed and demonstrating profound compassion by providing for the hungry, freeing prisoners, and healing the afflicted.
  • Help for the VulnerableGod is specifically portrayed as the preserver of strangers and the reliever of the fatherless and widow, demonstrating His particular care for society's most defenseless members.
  • God's Eternal ReignThe psalm concludes by affirming that "The LORD shall reign for ever," establishing His perpetual sovereignty over all generations.