Praising Scripture - Dec 29

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

ZEC.13-14
ROM.13

2024 31-Day Praising Day 29:

Sing "Hallelujah" to Praise God (Psalm 146:1-10)
(Memory verses: 3-5)

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
3 Put not your trust in princes,
in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.
4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;
on that very day his plans perish.
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
6 who made heaven and earth,
the sea, and all that is in them,
who keeps faith forever;
7 who executes justice for the oppressed,
who gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free;
8 the Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;
the Lord loves the righteous.
9 The Lord watches over the sojourners;
he upholds the widow and the fatherless,
but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
10 The Lord will reign forever,
your God, O Zion, to all generations.
Praise the Lord!

Reflection:
This Hallelujah psalm delivers a vital message: human beings, including earthly rulers, are not our ultimate source of trust or help. As the psalmist declares: “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.”
True blessedness belongs to those who rely on the God of Jacob, for He alone is the Creator of heaven, earth, and sea. He remains faithful forever, executing justice for the oppressed, providing for the hungry, and liberating the captives.
The psalm beautifully depicts God’s compassion for the vulnerable—He lifts up the bowed down, opens blind eyes, watches over the sojourners, and upholds orphans and widows. In contrast, the paths of the wicked are brought to ruin.
How can we not praise this faithful and merciful God? He chooses to be our help and protection, building and shaping us as His people in Zion.
As those chosen by God to be His people, let us declare with the psalmist: “I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.” Let our praise lead us to trust Him more fully, for He alone is our protector, sustainer, and King forever. Hallelujah!