THRU THE BIBLE EXPOSITION

Psalms: God's Nurture Of The Inner Man In The Life Of Faith

CXLVI: Trusting God Above Mortal Rulers

(Psalm 146:1-10)

I. Introduction

A. Jeremiah 17: 5 KJV claims, "Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord."

B. Psalm 146:1-10 carries a similar thrust, so we study it for our insight and edification (as follows):

II. Putting Our Trust In God Instead Of Mortal Rulers, Psalm 146:1-10.

A. The verse numbering system in the Hebrew text matches that of the English Bible (Kittel, Biblia Hebraica, p. 1101), so we stay with the numbering system of the English Bible for clarity with this lesson.

B. We then translate Psalm 146:1-10 as follows:

1. "Praise Jah(weh). O my life principle, praise Jahweh," Psalm 146:1.

2. "I will praise Jahweh all of my earthly life (hayay); I will sing praise to my Elohim as long as I live," v. 2.

3. "Do not put your reliance (batah) in princes, in the son of common ('adam) man, in whom there is no salvation." (Psalm 146:3)

4. "When their spirit departs they return to the ground (as did Adam, cf. Gen. 3:19): on that very day their thoughts come to nothing," Psalm 146:4.

5. "Blessed is he whose Help is the Elohim of Jacob, whose hope is in Jahweh his Elohim," (Psalm 146:5)

6. "the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and all that is in it, Who remains faithful forever," (Psalm 146:6)

7. "Who judges the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. Jahweh sets the prisoners free," Psalm 146:7.

8. "Jahweh opens the eyes of the blind; Jahweh lifts up those who are bowed down; Jahweh loves the righteous," Psalm 146:8.

9. "Jahweh watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked," Psalm 146:9.

10. "Jahweh reigns forever, your Elohim, O Zion, for all generations. Praise Jah(weh)," Psalm 146:10.

C. We note significant observations regarding this psalm (as follows):

1. The vast supremacy of trusting in the God of creation versus trusting in mere mortal rulers is set forth in this psalm in clear terms. Man as a sinner is destined for the grave, so the psalmist prefers to put his trust in the God of creation Who called it all into existence from nothing, cf. Hebrews 11:3.

2. God's inclusive help that mortal rulers cannot provide involves (a) food for the hungry (v. 7a), (b) release from unjust imprisonment (v. 7b), (c) healing from infirmities (v. 8a), (d) mental and spiritual health (v. 8b,c), (e) help for the vulnerable in society (aliens, orphans, widows, v. 9a) and (f) protection from the wicked who attack the upright or weak (v. 9b).

3. In summary, God supplies (a) material, (b) political, (c) physical, (d) mental, (e) spiritual, (f) sociological and (g) civil provisions for the needy and afflicted that mortal rulers are unable to provide.

Lesson: We should put our trust in the Creator God of Scripture instead of mortal human rulers, for the latter in human weakness due to sin (cf. Genesis 3:17-19) are not capable of meeting a wide range of needs that their subordinates have where the sinless and hence Eternal Creator God and Faithful Sustainer of the universe is abundantly able and forever ready to meet every such need.

Application: (1) May we not trust in human leaders at all levels of government, be it world, national, state, county or town, but rather rely on our Creator God of Scripture for our ultimate needs of government, cf. Romans 13:1-2 with 1 Timothy 2:1-8 and Acts 17:24-26. (2) May we not trust in medical practitioners or medical societies above the Lord, the Creator and Faithful Sustainer of human health, to meet our health needs. (3) May we not trust in religious leaders, be they parents, local Sunday School teachers, pastors or denominational officials above trusting in the Lord, the Creator and Provider of human spiritual leaders, for He equips and calls such human leaders to serve His interests, 1 Corinthians 3:4-9. (4) May we not put our ultimate trust in local, state or national law enforcement officials or even the nation's military forces or personnel for civil protection, but may we instead trust in the Lord, and may we ALSO not trust in the United States Constitution or the Bill of Rights above the Creator God and Faithful Sustainer of the universe for our protection and provisions, cf. Psalm 127:1.