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Psalms Chapter 146

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns 10 Verses

What is Psalms 146 about?

One hundred fifty inspired poems and hymns — Israel's prayer book, spanning lament and praise, confession and trust. The complete chapter text below provides the immediate literary context for study.

Text — American Standard Version (1901)

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. For original Hebrew/Greek interlinear text, open in BibleWord.ai.
1Praise ye Jehovah. Praise Jehovah, O my soul.
2While I live will I praise Jehovah: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
3Put not your trust in princes, Nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.
4His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; In that very day his thoughts perish.
5Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in Jehovah his God:
6Who made heaven and earth, The sea, and all that in them is; Who keepeth truth for ever;
7Who executeth justice for the oppressed; Who giveth food to the hungry. Jehovah looseth the prisoners;
8Jehovah openeth [the eyes of] the blind; Jehovah raiseth up them that are bowed down; Jehovah loveth the righteous;
9Jehovah preserveth the sojourners; He upholdeth the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
10Jehovah will reign for ever, Thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye Jehovah. Psalm 147
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What do historical commentaries say about this chapter?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord, etc.] Or, “hallelujah”; which, in the Greek and Vulgate Latin versions, is the title of the psalm; but is rather the beginning of it; and is an exhortation to men, especially to the saints, to praise the Lord, the Lord Christ, the Lord of the world, who has created it and upholds it; the Lord of lords, David’s Lord; and the Lord of all his people, by creation, redemption, and grace; and from whom they receive all blessings and mercies, temporal and spiritual, and are therefore under the highest obligations to praise him; praise the Lord, O my soul; the psalmist does not put others upon that he…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · on verse 1
“Praise ye the Lord - “Ye” - all people. Margin, Hallelujah. See Psalms 104:35; Psalms 106:1. Praise the Lord, O my soul - See Psalms 103:1, note; Psalms 104:1, note. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · on verse 4
“That day - As soon as ever he is dead. Thoughts - All his designs and endeavours either for himself or for others. Psalms 146:6”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · on verse 1
“Pss 146–150 The Psalter ends with five hallelujah psalms, so named because each begins and ends with Praise the Lord! (Hebrew haleluyah). Ps 146 The call to praise (146:1-2) leads into a warning against folly and false confidence (146:3-4). The psalm concludes with a blessing for all who place their hope in the Lord (146:5-7). 146:1 This verse is reminiscent of 103:1, 2, 22; 104:1, 35.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · on verse 1
“am 3489, bc 515 Praise ye the Lord: Heb. Hallelujah, Psa 105:45 Praise the Lord: Psa 103:1, Psa 103:22, Psa 104:1, Psa 104:35 Psalms 146:2”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · on verse 1
“Instead of "bless," as in Psa 103:1; Psa 104:1, the poet of this Psalm says "praise." When he attunes his sole to the praise of God, he puts himself personally into this mood of mind, and therefore goes on to say "I will praise." He will, however, not only praise God in the song which he is beginning, but כּחיּי (vid., on Psa 63:5), fillling up his life with it, or בּעודי (prop. "in my yet-being," with the suffix of the noun, whereas עודנּי with the verbal suffix is "I still am"), so that his continued life is also a constant continued praising, viz., (and this is in the mind of the poet here, even at the…”
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