We are continuing our series of reflections on the Psalms. Each day we will upload a new reflection to the website. We hope and pray that you will find them helpful and that they bring hope during this season. Click on these buttons to read the text of the psalm or listen to a recording of it. You can also listen to the reflection using the audio player below.Read Psalm 146  Listen to Psalm 146

The last five psalms are often called the “Hallelujah Psalms” because they all start and end with the Hebrew word "Hallelujah". In the earlier psalms, we have seen the writers’ griefs, sins, doubts, fears defeats and victories. We have encountered rebellious words and struggling faith. All this is behind us now. In these final psalms every word is praise.

This psalm also sets out to persuade men to trust in God, and in him alone (verses 3-4). ‘Nobody that is only human can save you.’ There are examples in the Bible of people who trusted God with their lives - Noah, Abram, Elijah, Daniel and many others.

Who do we trust in 2020 in the midst of the pandemic? Our leaders can make rules that we may keep to protect us from Covid-19 and they all have different views on how best to cope, but really don’t know how to balance being strict with keeping the economy going, etc. It is God who we must trust to see us through.

In John 6:68 in answer to a question from Jesus, Peter says “to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life we believe and know you are the Holy One of God.” (Psalm 91 also has much to say about God’s protection for those who love him). Verses 5-9 go on to list some of the reasons why we should trust him and verse 10 ends with a statement of God’s eternal sovereignty and a final “Praise the Lord”.

Lord, you have the words of eternal life. Drive this deep into our hearts that we may trust you through all the trials of life and say at the end “Praise the Lord”.