Psalms146
English Standard Version
1 the Lord! the Lord, O my !
2I will the Lord as long as I ; I will to my while I have my .
3 your in , in a of , in there is .
4When his , he to the ; on that very his .
5 is he whose is the of , whose is in the Lord his ,
6who and , the , and that is in them, who ;
7who for the , who to the . The Lord the ;
8the Lord the eyes of the . The Lord those who are ; the Lord the .
9The Lord the ; he the and the , but the of the he brings to .
10The Lord will , your , O , to . the Lord!
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 146.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Why we should not trust in men. (1–4). Why we should trust in God. (5–10).
vv1-4
If it is our delight to praise the Lord while we live, we shall certainly praise him to all eternity. With this glorious prospect before us, how low do worldly pursuits seem! There is a Son of man in whom there is help, even him who is also the Son of God, who will not fail those that trust in him. But all other sons of men are like the man from whom they sprung, who, being in honour, did not abide. God has given the earth to the children of men, but there is great striving about it. Yet, after a while, no part of the earth will be their own, except that in which their dead bodies are laid. And when man returns to his earth, in that very day all his plans and designs vanish and are gone: what then comes of expectations from him?
vv5-10
The psalmist encourages us to put confidence in God. We must hope in the providence of God for all we need as to this life, and in the grace of God for that which is to come. The God of heaven became a man that he might become our salvation. Though he died on the cross for our sins, and was laid in the grave, yet his thoughts of love to us did not perish; he rose again to fulfil them. When on earth, his miracles were examples of what he is still doing every day. He grants deliverance to captives bound in the chains of sin and Satan. He opens the eyes of the understanding. He feeds with the bread of life those who hunger for salvation; and he is the constant Friend of the poor in spirit, the helpless: with him poor sinners, that are as fatherless, find mercy; and his kingdom shall continue for ever. Then let sinners flee to him, and believers rejoice in him. And as the Lord shall reign for ever, let us stir up each other to praise his holy name.
Key Words
הָלַל: to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to boast; and thus to be (clamorously) foolish; to rave; causatively, to celebrate; also to stultify
נֶפֶשׁ: properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)
חַי: alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether literally or figuratively
זָמַר: play upon it; to make music, accompanied by the voice; hence to celebrate in song and music
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
עוֹד: properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
בָּטַח: figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
אַל: not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
נָדִיב: properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
Cross References
Psalms 146Calvin highlights this to show that princes are mere men, flesh and not spirit, unable to save.
Supported by John Calvin
Echoes the identical lifetime commitment to praise God as long as one has being.
Supported by John Calvin
Man's physical return to his earth, from which he was originally taken.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Christ's miracles, especially giving sight to the blind, fulfill this divine work.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Pronounces a curse on trusting in man, matching the Psalm's warnings against human hope.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Parallels the beatitude pronounced on the man who trusts and hopes in the Lord.
Supported by John Calvin
Jesus declares He was sent to proclaim liberty to captives, fulfilling God's freeing work.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes the creative power of God who made heaven, earth, and the sea.
Supported by Matthew Poole