Psalm 146

God helps the helpless

People can’t save us from death

1Thank the good LORD. [1]
I’ll say it again: Thank the LORD above.
2I’m going to thank the LORD as long as I live.
And I’m going to sing praise songs, too.
3Don’t hang your hopes on some famous soul.
Famous or not, people can’t save you.
4They die and get buried, returning to dirt,
And the plans they made die with them.

Hang your hopes on God

5People who put their faith
In the God of Jacob [2]
Are happy people indeed.
For they’re hanging their hopes on the LORD,
the genuine God of Jacob.
6God created sky and ground,
The sea and everything in it.
And he’s devoted to all he has made.
7The LORD gets justice
For people wronged.
He gets food
For people hungry.
He sets the prisoners free.
8The LORD gives sight
To people blind.
He lifts the down and out.
And he loves to see goodness in people.
9The LORD guards the immigrants,
Newcomers in the land.
He provides for orphans and widows.
And decimates plans of the godless.
10The LORD will reign forever.
He’s your God, Jerusalem, [3] for all time to come.
Thank the good LORD for that.

Footnotes

Intro Notes for Psalms

Intro Notes for Book 5 of 5 In Psalms

1146:1

The Hebrew word is hallelujah, which is often translated as “praise the LORD.”

2146:5

Jacob was the father of the men whose extended families grew to become the 12 tribes of Israel.

3146:10

Literally “Zion,” a term of endearment, and another name for Jerusalem. It’s a bit like “The Big Apple” for New York City, “The City of Love” for Paris.