Scripture Text (NRSV)
(146:1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my
soul!
146:2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to
my God all my life long.
146:3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is
no help.
146:4 When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that
very day their plans perish.)
146:5 Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is
in the LORD their God,
146:6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
146:7 who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the
hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free;
146:8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those
who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.
146:9 The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan
and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.
146:10 The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all
generations. Praise the LORD!
Comments:
An interesting view of this text challenges us, as the People of God
(Jewish) or the Body of Christ (Christian) in the world (The Lord)to
do these things, feed the hungry, show hospitality to strangers and
look after widows and orphans. Isn't that what Paul meant when he
spoke of us as being the "body"? Bob in OK
The timing of this is perfect. Just as the election campaigns and we
are once again hearing all kinds of promises that will never be kept -
here is the psalmist reminding us to beware of trusting in "princes."
Rather trust what is trust-worthy the Lord. It is the Lord wjo created
heaven and earth. It is the Lord who is faithful. It is the Lord who
executes justice for the oppressed, heals the afflicted, and watches
out for the stranger. It is the Lord who will reign forever. That
alone is reason for praise, but what is more we are invited to
participate in the Lord's work - doing what we see in Him. Praise the
Lord! Jeff in NY.
Amazing! What a timely reminder that we are not to conform to the
"princes" or political figures of this world,but to continue to depend
on the Lord for our righteousness and salvation. Also, it is still up
to us as individual persons to continue the work of feeding the
hungry, comforting the friendless and working for freedom for the
oppressed as God's hands in this world, and not to depend solely on
govermental promises and programs, as these change with the next
administration. Let God be our guide! Susan, MA
Connection to all Saints day: "Do not put your trust in... mortals, in
whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the
earth; on that very day their plans perish."
But in Ecc.3:14 it says, "I know that whatever God does endures
forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it; God
has done this, so that all should stand in awe before him."
The things we do in God's name will last. The saints who have loved
God and neighbor, will have a lasting effect on us.
DGinNYC
