Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Psalm 146                         

Psalm 146

There are certain phrases, even phrases from the pages of Scripture that fly off our tongues without much thought. One of those is “Praise the LORD!” Of course, that is an “anglization” of the Hebrew “Hallelu Yah!” Praise Yahweh! It is a marvelous and personal exclamation. We are privileged to even be able to speak the name of our God. It means, most likely, that we know Him. Or better, that He knows us. And the response to that glorious truth is and should be praise, constant praise.

The final five psalms begin with this declaration. Have you noticed? The psalm for this week begins, “Praise the LORD, O my soul.” In other words, let every speck of who I am be lifted in praise of my Maker, my Sustainer, my Savior. The remainder of the psalm rehearses the character and powerful works of God. And something clearly represented in Psalm 146 is that God loves all that He has made. Prisoners, strangers, the righteous, widows. Everyone. Divine desire pointed towards all. It becomes a crescendo that rushes toward a final refrain, “The LORD God shall reign forever–your God, O Zion to all generations. Praise the LORD!”

Use that refrain. Speak it regularly. But perhaps, think a bit more about it as it leaves your lips. It is a touch of thunder. Hear the rumble?