God’s Saving Word: Praise and Thanksgiving

Introduction

Psalm 146: Today and for the next four days, we will be reading the concluding five psalms (146—150) in the book of Psalms. All five begin and end with the words “Praise the LORD!” and form the concluding doxology to the book. These five psalms are also known as the “Hallelujah” psalms because in some translations they begin and end with the word “Hallelujah.” Today’s reading praises God as Creator and Deliverer and emphasizes God’s concern for justice.

Scripture Reading

In Praise of God the Savior

146 Praise the Lord!
    Praise the Lord, my soul!
2 I will praise him as long as I live;
    I will sing to my God all my life.

3 Don’t put your trust in human leaders;
    no human being can save you.
4 When they die, they return to the dust;
    on that day all their plans come to an end.

5 Happy are those who have the God of Jacob to help them
    and who depend on the Lord their God,
6 the Creator of heaven, earth, and sea,
    and all that is in them.
He always keeps his promises;
7     he judges in favor of the oppressed
    and gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free
8     and gives sight to the blind.
He lifts those who have fallen;
    he loves his righteous people.
9 He protects the strangers who live in our land;
    he helps widows and orphans,
    but takes the wicked to their ruin.

10 The Lord is king forever.
    Your God, O Zion, will reign for all time.

Praise the Lord!

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 146:1-2

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, my soul! I will praise him as long as I live; I will sing to my God all my life.

Reflect

Reread verses 3 and 4. These verses reflect the strong message of Israel’s prophets that the people were to place their trust in God and not in earthly leaders, wealth, foreign powers, or idols. What are the risks of putting our trust in worldly things? Why might we be tempted to do so?

Pray

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD my soul! I will praise you as long as I live, O God. I will sing to you all my life. Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, you always keep your promises; you judge in favor of the oppressed and give food to the hungry. You are king forever, and you will reign for all time! Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Psalm 147: A psalm in praise of God the Almighty.