Psalm 146:1-2: “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”
The Hebrew word for “Praise the LORD” is “Hallelujah” and is used in the HCSB version of Psalm 146. This phrase or word starts ten of the Psalms: 106, 111-113, 135, 146-150. That is why these Psalms are often called the Hallelujah Psalms. Try reading out loud one of these Psalms as a prayer of thanksgiving up to God for His greatness and goodness.
It is said that David was a man after God’s own heart. More has been written about David than any other biblical character. How do we grow and then live out to have that said about us? I wonder, will people say that about me after I am gone? I would hope that I leave that type of memory in people’s minds rather than my many shortcomings.
David had many talents. He was a shepherd, wrote 75 of the 150 psalms, skillful musician – he often played his harp for Saul, fought in battles, was a commanding communicator, a statesman, and administrator who set his standards high for future kings of Israel and Judah. David knew God intimately despite his trials in life because his training ground was spent in solitude, repetitive, and obscure. But he never gave up hope and trust in God to deliver and provide for his needs.
David faithfully sang praises to God throughout his life even though David suffered at the hands of his enemies. He experienced injustice in afflictions having three of his sons that turned against him, besides his close friend and counselor Ahithophel. But God delivered David every time as he continued to sing praises up to God.
David felt real fear, but he ultimately embraced God’s loving faithfulness, and he responded with perseverance in singing aloud of God’s righteousness.
Psalm 146 gives us some guidelines for being a woman or man after God’s own heart:
- Verses 1-4 – Trust in God and not in people. Even in sad circumstances praise the Lord. Disassociate yourself from dependence on people over – dependence on God.
- People will disappoint us, but God can meet every need of our heart – verse 3.
- Our dreams can vanish. The impact God has planned for us occurs when we are pursuing God.
- Verse 6 – God remains faithful forever. He never stops.
- Verse 7 – God executes justice so every person can trust in His righteous judgment to right where we have been wronged. Give up your painful memories to God to be free of that bondage.
- Verses 8-10 – The LORD loves, protects, provides, is faithful to all of His promises. God frustrates and defeats the purposes of the wicked.
2 Chronicles 16:9a ESV states: “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” The HCSB states: “For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His.”
God continuously watches and examines my inner thoughts, attitudes, and my heart to see if it is pursuing after God’s own heart. He is looking for my heart to be wholly His. For my heart to be blameless before God just as David confessed every sin before God to have his life pure and righteous before a righteous God.
Chuck Swindoll has said: “Faith is counting on Him when we do not know what tomorrow holds.” David. A Man of Passion & Desitiny.
Questions:
How can you show unconditional love to the challenging sandpaper people you come across this week? God uses people that are irritating, rub us the wrong way, and are bothersome, as part of His all-knowing plan for our life because He knows about it – strange as that may seem.
Do you realize God sees you as having value? Ps. 147:11 HCSB states: “The LORD values those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His faithful love.” Since you are therefore cherished by God, think about how you can praise Him more throughout today despite roadblocks and pessimistic responses you encounter. God will show Himself strong in His support and is our ever present stronghold of refuge.
My prayer today: Dear God, You faithfully love me no matter what. I come to you with my distresses, difficulties, and look forward to full fellowship with You. As You plead my cause I proclaim my gratitude and sacrifice of praise as You lift me up. You are my refuge, my battle fighter – Jehovah Nissi – my good shepherd, and ever-present wherever I go. I put on a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair to display your splendor (Is. 61:3b). May there not be any offenses in my life that separate you from hearing my requests. Help me to grasp fully the truth found in your Word and apply it correctly in my life. I place my hope and dreams in your unfailing love and goodness as my counselor and defender. In Jesus name Amen.
Listen to Zach Williams You Tube “Old Church Choir” official lyric video as he sings “There is nothing going to steel my joy!”