Ps 146 gives us many reasons to praise God. It can be good to list these reasons, for there are times when life buffets us so much that it can be difficult to think of reasons during the storms.
- God is faithful. This again is not simply a characteristic for now, but He remains faithful (Ps 146:6, see also Heb 10:23, Ps 33:4)
- He is the God of the underdog, upholding the cause of the oppressed and giving food to the hungry. (Ps 146:7, see also Ps 145:15, Phil 4:19) This care for the needy includes the orphans, widows and foreigners (Ps 146:9, see also Deut 24, Deut 27:19, Zech 7:10). Our attitude towards these groups needs always to be tested against God’s care and compassion towards these people rather than simply being influenced and moulded by political expediency.
- He gives sight to the blind and sets the captives free (Ps 146:7-8, see also Matt 11:5, Luke 4:18, Is 9:2). God is able to do this in the natural realm, as the many healings of the blind by Jesus demonstrate, but He is also able to do this in the spiritual realm, opening eyes that have been blinded by the enemy. (2 Cor 4:4-6)
- He is able to lift up those who are bowed down (Ps 146:8, see also Ps 40:2.) God’s ability to lift us up and rescue us from dire situations definitely gives us reason to praise Him!
- He is righteous and always does what is right. (Ps 146:8, see also Gen 18:25)
When we find ourselves doubting God’s goodness or power (and such times will come to all of us at some point in our lives), this psalm gives us an anchor which keeps us steady.
