Psalm 146 belongs to a beautiful and powerful series of five psalms commonly known as “the Alleluia Psalms” (Psalms 146–150). These psalms form the closing section of the book of Psalms and are characterized by a single dominant theme: pure, uninterrupted praise to God. Throughout the Psalter, we read about victories and defeats, sins and repentance, doubts and affirmations, affliction and deliverance, wars, enemies, falls, and restorations. The Psalms reflect the full emotional and spiritual range of human life before God. However, when we arrive at the Alleluia Psalms, the tone changes decisively. Here, lament fades into the background, and what remains is an unceasing call to praise the Lord.
Psalm 146 opens this final section with a clear and intentional focus. The psalmist does not begin with complaint, petition, or reflection, but with praise itself. The opening verses read:
1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.
2 While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
Psalm 146:1–2
These words set the tone not only for this psalm, but for the remaining psalms that follow. Praise is not introduced as a reaction to circumstances, but as a deliberate and conscious commitment of the soul.
An order to our soul to praise God
The psalm begins with a command: “Praise ye the Lord.” Immediately after, the psalmist turns inward and speaks to himself: “Praise the Lord, O my soul.” This is significant. The psalmist is not waiting for emotions, conditions, or external motivations to align; instead, he issues an order to his own soul.
This teaches us an important spiritual lesson: praise is not always spontaneous. There are moments when our soul must be instructed, reminded, and directed to praise God. The psalmist understands that the soul can grow weary, discouraged, or distracted, and therefore it must be called back to its primary purpose—worship.
By addressing his own soul, the psalmist acknowledges that true praise must come from within. It is not merely an action of the lips, but a movement of the heart and spirit. God Himself rebuked Israel on several occasions for offering praise that was empty and superficial. They honored Him with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him. In contrast, the psalmist here makes it clear that the praise God accepts is praise that flows from the soul.
This inward command challenges us to examine the source of our worship. Do we praise God only when we feel like it, or do we praise Him because He is worthy? True worshipers understand that praise is an act of obedience as much as it is an expression of joy.
While I live will I praise the Lord
The psalmist continues with a strong declaration: “While I live will I praise the Lord.” These words may appear simple, but they carry deep meaning and profound commitment. To praise the Lord while we live is not merely to sing songs occasionally; it is to adopt a lifestyle that glorifies God in every season.
Praising God with our lives goes far beyond verbal expressions. It means that our decisions, attitudes, actions, and priorities reflect our devotion to Him. The psalmist is not promising momentary praise, but continual praise—progressive, intentional, and enduring.
He reinforces this commitment by saying, “I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.” This phrase removes all limits. Praise is not restricted to youth, health, success, or comfort. As long as life remains, praise remains. There is no expiration date on worship.
This raises an honest and challenging question for us: will we truly praise God regardless of the circumstances we are going through? It is easy to praise God in times of blessing and abundance, but what about times of loss, suffering, persecution, or uncertainty?
History gives us powerful examples of believers who lived out this commitment fully. One such example is John Huss, a man who paid the ultimate price for his faith. Huss was condemned and burned at the stake because of his commitment to the Gospel. According to historical accounts, even as the flames surrounded him, he continued to sing hymns to God. In that moment, he reportedly said:
“By that Gospel I am here, and I am here with courage and joy, ready to suffer this death. What I taught with my mouth, I will now seal it with my blood.”
This testimony confronts us with a sobering truth. Praise is not merely a pleasant activity; it can be an act of profound faith and courage. For Huss, praising God was not dependent on safety or comfort. His worship was rooted in conviction and devotion to Christ.
Praising God, therefore, can involve sacrifice. It may involve standing firm when it is costly, trusting God when the outcome is uncertain, and glorifying Him even in the face of suffering. This kind of praise reveals the depth of a believer’s faith.
Dear brothers and sisters, Psalm 146 calls us to this same level of devotion. It invites us to praise God not only with words, but with our entire lives. It urges us to cultivate a heart that worships God in joy and in sorrow, in strength and in weakness.
The Alleluia Psalms remind us that praise is the final word. No matter how dark the journey has been, the destination of God’s people is worship. The book of Psalms, which begins with meditation on the law of the Lord, ends with an explosion of praise. This shows us that praise is not only our present calling, but our eternal future.
May we learn to speak to our own souls and command them to praise the Lord. May we commit ourselves, like the psalmist, to praise God while we live and as long as we have breath. And may God grant us the strength to praise Him at all times, just as faithful witnesses like John Huss did, regardless of the most terrible circumstances of life.
Let our praise be sincere, steadfast, and unwavering, for the Lord is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise—now and forever.