The writer of Psalm 146 begins much like the Psalmist of Psalm 1. Both introduce their poem with an antithetical construct; the latter first describes the blessed man by what he does not do, the former in whom the blessed man should not trust. Psalm 146:3 states that the blessed should not trust governing bodies, like princes, and the second line generalizes (as opposed to focuses) this further: the blessed shouldn’t trust humans in general. Why? Because they “cannot save”.
Let us clarify this point, however, lest we misinterpret it: this is not a call to anarchy, nor is it a justification to break all social ties. The focus here is salvation, and the trust that the author speaks of is inherently salvific. In essence, he is saying: “mortal man” can do nothing for your soul. His reason is given in verse 4. The poem focuses on the frailty of humans, our propensity for failure (our “plans come to nothing”) and our proximity to the grave. How indeed could feeble, sickly men ensure the hope of eternal life?
Is there then no hope? Is there no one who can help? The writer answers his own questions with a positive antithesis in Psalm 146:5 – the one person we can trust is “the God of Jacob”. This specific title is intentional as it proves two things. First, the God who helped men in the past, like Jacob, will surely continue to help present-man; and, second, God proves His eternal capabilities and power through His earthly forms of aid.
This second point becomes the focus of verses 6 through 9. How has God helped man on this earth? Unlike mortal princes, God has shown himself to be the true controller of nature and the ultimate sovereign over nations and all human activity. Not only has He made the heavens and the earth, but He is also faithful over all that He has made (verse 6); He cares for the poor and the weak (verse 7); He shows mercy to the criminal (verse 7); He provides physical healing to the blind and the broken-bodied (verse 8); He loves us (verse 8); He protects the foreigner and the immigrant, the orphan and the widow; and, finally, He holds back the evil plans of the wicked (verse 9). In these examples, the full greatness of God is on display. We see His power, love, mercy and sovereignty, and, surely, the Psalmist implores, if we see and understand all of this, all that God does for us now, we won’t be able to do anything else but trust in Him – both for this life and the next.
