Psalms - Praise to the Eternal Lord!

Why We Should Praise God Even When Life Gets Hard

Life can be messy and unpredictable. When we face difficult seasons, it's natural to wonder where God is and whether He truly cares about our struggles. Psalm 146 offers profound wisdom about praising God not just in good times, but especially when life feels overwhelming.
What Does It Mean to Praise the Lord?

The word "hallelujah" literally means "praise the Lord" - and it's actually a command, not a suggestion. When the psalmist declares "Praise the Lord, O my soul," he's speaking from the depths of his being, not just offering surface-level worship.
Praising God involves several key elements:
It's a command, not just a feeling. This means we praise God even when we don't feel like it. Those difficult Monday mornings or challenging seasons when worship feels forced - those might be exactly when we need to praise Him most.
It's a lifetime expression. The psalmist commits to praising God "as long as I live." This isn't something we do only in our youth or only when things are going well. It's a lifelong commitment that grows deeper with time.
It's deeply personal. True praise flows from our personal experiences with God's faithfulness. It's telling our story about His glory - remembering specific times when God provided, protected, or guided us through difficulty.
Why We Shouldn't Put Our Hope in People

The psalm makes a stark contrast: "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man in whom there is no salvation." This isn't about avoiding civic engagement or good leadership - it's about where we place our ultimate hope.
Human leaders, no matter how capable, have significant limitations:
They're mortal. "When his breath departs, he returns to the earth. On that very day his plans perish." Even the best leaders eventually pass away, and their policies and programs often don't survive them.
They can't truly save us. Politicians, bosses, spouses, or other authority figures might help improve our circumstances, but they can't address our deepest needs or guarantee our future security.
Their plans are temporary. We see this constantly in politics and leadership - one administration's priorities become the next one's obstacles. Human plans are subject to change, opposition, and failure.
What Are Your "Princes"?

We all have a tendency to look for someone or something to save us. What pulls you away from trusting God first? Is it your career, your bank account, your spouse, or your political party? These aren't necessarily bad things, but they become problematic when they take the place that only God should occupy in our lives.
How God Helps in Our Hardest Moments

The psalmist provides a beautiful list of how God intervenes in human suffering:

He executes justice for the oppressed
He gives food to the hungry
He sets prisoners free
He opens the eyes of the blind
He lifts up those who are bowed down
He watches over the sojourner
He upholds the widow and the fatherless

This isn't just ancient poetry - it's a description of how God works in real life. When we feel completely helpless, when we're the widow, the orphan, the stranger in a foreign place, God sees us and acts on our behalf.
Storms of Life Create the Backdrop for Praise

Here's a crucial insight: about 70% of the Psalms contain laments or expressions of difficulty. The storms of life actually form the backdrop for our praise to God. This means our loudest praise often comes not from our easiest seasons, but from our hardest ones.
Think of praise like a balloon you're filling up during good times. When hard times come, you release that stored-up gratitude and trust, declaring God's faithfulness even when you can't see the way forward.
God's Eternal Reign Changes Everything

The psalm concludes with this powerful declaration: "The Lord will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord!"
This eternal perspective changes how we view our current circumstances. When we remember that God's reign never ends, we can trust that:
His goodness extends beyond our current situation. Whatever you're facing today, God's reign continues tomorrow, next year, and for all eternity.
His plans won't fail. Unlike human leaders whose plans perish, God's purposes will be accomplished.
His care for you is permanent. The same God who helped you in the past is actively working in your present and has already secured your future.
Praising God From Past Knowledge and Future Hope

Our praise flows from two sources: what God has already done and what we trust Him to do. When the psalmist mentions "the God of Jacob," he's drawing on historical knowledge of God's faithfulness to encourage present trust.
You can do the same thing. Look back at your life and identify specific times when God provided, protected, or guided you. Those experiences become the foundation for trusting Him in current difficulties.
Similarly, because God's character never changes, you can confidently expect Him to continue showing the same faithfulness in your future that He's shown in your past.
Life Application

This week, commit to praising God regardless of your circumstances. Start each day by declaring His goodness, not because you feel like it, but because He deserves it. When you face difficulties, remember that God's eternal reign guarantees His future goodness for all who trust in Him.
Create your own "praise bank" by writing down specific ways God has been faithful to you in the past. When hard times come, draw from these memories to fuel your trust in His continued goodness.
Questions for Reflection:

What "princes" in your life are competing with God for your ultimate trust and hope?
How can you praise God today, even if you don't feel like it?
What specific examples from your past can you remember where God showed His faithfulness during difficult times?
How does knowing that God's reign is eternal change your perspective on your current challenges?