Psalms – Prayers of Honesty and Praise
In the next few days we will finish the prayers of those who loved God, knew God and always knew He was in charge. The writers knew God’s love and constant care. So, they tell the world about God, reminding us all of God’s character and what He alone is capable of doing when He sees fit and necessary.
Psalm 146 is no exception. Look at all the verbs that this paraphrase uses that describes the actions of God. (He made, defends, feeds, gives, lifts, and loves. Always. Rejoice and be glad that God IS in charge forever and ever. Yes, and Amen!
Listen in the background of your own mind for songs of praise that fill your soul as you read…You will have more than “10,000 Reasons to Praise the Lord!” (By Matt Redman)Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
The sun comes upIt’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
You’re rich in love
And You’re slow to anger
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Bless You Lord
Psalm 146, The Message
1-2 Hallelujah! O my soul, praise God!
All my life long I’ll praise God,
singing songs to my God as long as I live.
3-9 Don’t put your life in the hands of experts
who know nothing of life, of salvation life.
Mere humans don’t have what it takes;
when they die, their projects die with them.
Instead, get help from the God of Jacob, put your hope in God and know real blessing!
God made sky and soil, sea and all the fish in it.
He always does what he says—
he defends the wronged,
he feeds the hungry.
God frees prisoners—
he gives sight to the blind, he lifts up the fallen.
God loves good people, protects strangers,
takes the side of orphans and widows,
but makes short work of the wicked.
10 God’s in charge—always.
Zion’s God is God for good!
Hallelujah!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Hallelujah, indeed! We also join the psalmist in praise of who You are and what You do for all of us who believe and follow You. Thank you for salvation through Jesus. Thank for the power of Your Holy Spirit who lives in us. Thank you for hope and peace that comes from knowing you are in charge always.
In Jesus Name, Amen
An old hymn is now playing in the background of my mind as we reflect on this psalm of praise…
To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life our redemption to win,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice;
Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory; great things He hath done.
Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 