Praise Ye the Lord: Finding True Happiness in the God of Jacob

Listen to today’s passage – Psalms 146 – 150

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Psalm 146

Second Milers also read – Matthew 27 – 28; Psalms 66 – 70; Proverbs 14

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 89:1

Read the “0714 Evening and Morning” devotion for today by Charles Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from today’s reading – “Praise God“

The final five psalms of the Psalter (146–150) are known as the “Hallelujah Psalms.” Each one begins and ends with the joyful cry, “Praise ye the Lord!” In the original Hebrew, this is “Halel Yahh”—the very word from which we get our English “Hallelujah.” These psalms form a glorious crescendo of praise at the close of the book.

After journeying through psalms of lament, confession, imprecation, and deep longing, the Psalter ends on a note of pure, triumphant praise. There is a beautiful parallel here to the Christian life. We experience mountaintop joys and deep valley sorrows. Sin, suffering, and trials are very real parts of our pilgrimage. Yet the believer who has walked closely with the Lord through many seasons often finds that, toward the end of the journey, praise rises most naturally. We look back and see God’s faithful hand at work in both the good and the difficult chapters of our story.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

We do not know the name of the writer of Psalm 146 or the specific circumstances behind it. But its message is timeless and urgently needed today.

I. The Psalmist’s Lifelong Resolution (vv. 1–2)

Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. (Psalm 146:1-2)

The psalmist makes a deliberate, lifelong commitment. This is not the impulsive vow of a new believer who has yet to face life’s storms. This is the settled resolve of a seasoned saint—a veteran who has walked with God through many battles and many valleys. He has seen God’s faithfulness firsthand. He knows that God has kept every promise and will continue to do so until He takes him home to Heaven.

This commitment is not grim duty or “grin-and-bear-it” Christianity. It is the overflow of a heart that has learned, through experience, that God is worthy of praise in every season. The new believer who has not yet walked long with God would do well to find an older mentor who has proven God’s faithfulness over decades. Their testimony can strengthen our own determination to keep praising the Lord as long as we have breath.

II. The Psalmist’s Warning: Do Not Trust in Man (vv. 3–4)

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. (Psalm 146:3-4)

Here is a sobering warning: Human help has limits. Princes and presidents, doctors and leaders, family and friends—no matter how powerful or well-meaning—are ultimately finite and mortal. Their breath fails; their plans perish with them. Only God can ultimately help us in the deepest needs of the soul.

Scripture gives us clear examples. In 2 Chronicles 16:12, King Asa, who had once trusted the Lord mightily, later in life turned to physicians instead of seeking the Lord for his diseased feet. God had repeatedly warned Judah not to place their hope in Egypt’s chariots and horsemen but to trust in Him alone (Isaiah 30:1-2; 31:1).

Why is it so dangerous to put our ultimate trust in people?

  • People are finite; God is infinite in wisdom and power. “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.” (Psalm 147:5)
  • People are often unfaithful; God is always faithful. He always does what He says He will do.
  • People can be selfish; God is always selfless. He works all things for our ultimate good.
  • People’s love is often conditional; God’s love is unconditional and everlasting.
III. The Psalmist’s Reason for Trust: The Blessed Life (vv. 5–10)

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God: (Psalm 146:5)

The Christian life is meant to be a happy, fulfilling life. The truly miserable people in this world are those still without Christ. The unhappy Christian is usually the one who has been saved but continues to live as if everything depends on his own wisdom, strength, or plans. True happiness flows from having the God of Jacob as our help and our hope.

He is the faithful Creator who keeps truth forever.

Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever: (Psalm 146:6)

The same God who spoke the universe into existence keeps His truth forever. Three times the Bible declares that heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will never pass away (Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” (Psalm 100:5). Because God is faithful, His Word is completely reliable. When you build your life on it, you are standing on solid ground that cannot be shaken.

He is the compassionate Helper of the needy.

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners: The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous: The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. (Psalm 146:7-9)

Notice how active and generous God is toward those in need. When Jesus walked this earth, everyone who came to Him with a genuine need found help. He healed, delivered, forgave, restored, and loved. That same compassionate heart still beats in heaven today. God delights to help people—and as His children, we are called to reflect that same generous, merciful spirit toward others around us.

He reigns forever.

The LORD shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalm 146:10)

Whatever dominates today’s headlines will likely be forgotten in a hundred years. But the Lord’s throne is secure. His kingdom has no end. His reign is eternal. Whatever feels overwhelming in your life today is temporary. The God you are trusting is not.

A Personal Challenge

Friend, where are you tempted to place your trust today? In your health, your finances, your leaders, your family, or your own careful plans? All of these can fail us. Only the Lord remains steadfast through every generation.

Join the psalmist in his resolution: “While I live will I praise the LORD.” Make it personal. Speak it aloud if you need to. Then live today with the happy confidence that the God of Jacob is your help and your hope. He made you. He keeps His Word. He cares deeply for the broken and the needy—and that includes you. And He will reign forever.

Praise ye the Lord!


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