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Trinity/After Pentecost · The Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

Psalm 146

Praise the Lord, O My Soul

The Seven Works of Mercy, Master of Alkmaar
The Seven Works of Mercy, Master of Alkmaar, 1504Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam · public domain

Overview & Insights

“The Lord executes justice for the oppressed, and gives food to the hungry.” (Psalm 146:7)

The liturgical nature of this hymn is apparent from the combination of commands addressed to a group (vv. 1a, 3, 10b), namely Zion personified (v. 10), and the testimony of a liturgist (“I” in v. 2). Thus the psalm opens with a call to praise (v. 1a), followed by the liturgist’s proclamation of praise (vv. 1b–2) and his instruction to the congregation (vv. 3–9), particularly in the form of a blessing (v. 5) and praises to Yahweh (vv. 6–9). It then closes with a summary addressed to Zion and a concluding call to praise (v. 10).

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What is Psalm 146?

A hymn urging trust in the Lord rather than princes, for he made heaven and earth and keeps faith forever, lifting the bowed down and watching over the stranger, the widow, and the orphan.

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