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Psalm 146

This song contrasts untrustworthy man with the trustworthy and praiseworthy God of Jacob.  The singers begin and end with a loud and earnest exhortation to all who hear to praise that God. 

After the initial unison shout of "hallelujah!" the singers then turn to one another and exhort each other to praise Jehovah as long as they have breath, because, after all, every moment they live is dependent upon Him Who gives "life and breath and all things." It's only reasonable that they should return praise to Him, since He's constantly worthy of it.

Next the song turns to the infinite contrast between the infinitely trustworthy God on the one hand and even the best of men on the other. The singers turn to one another and say, "Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help."  After all, no human being knows whether he will live long enough to carry out his promises – mortality limits the trustworthiness of every man – "his spirit departs, he returns to the earth; in that very day his plans perish!"

By contrast, "Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God!"  That's REAL help!  The "God of Jacob," is the covenant God Who has actually proved Himself trustworthy and has always sustained and blessed His people.  He alone had, has, and always will have the power to help, for it is He "Who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in them."  It is He "Who keeps truth forever, Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry.  The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners!"  Simply put, Jehovah is GOD!

And oh how good He has proved Himself to be!  The congregation gladly sings, "The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises those who are bowed down – the Lord loves the righteous!"  And that real and active love of God is available to all who call upon Him.  So they say, "The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; but the way of the wicked He turns upside down."  In other words, He really moves in the affairs of men!

And He will always be that kind of God - and that leads to a joyous crescendo, and so the people sing, "The Lord shall reign FOREVER – your God, O Zion, to all generations!"  It's no wonder that the people once again join in a unison, timber-rattling shout of "HALLELUJAH!"

Where is your trust?  I mean right now, at this moment.  Would you honestly and enthusiastically sing, "I will sing praise to my God while I have my being?"  Is His trustworthiness so wonderful to you that you want everyone else in the world to join you in trusting Him?