The last five psalms are “Praise psalms,” which have a “Hallelujah” at the beginning and end of each one. Weeping is past, and joy has come. From the hearts of those who wrote these psalms, praise rises to the Lord from “my soul.” Even though these were likely sung as congregational hymns, this is not merely a form or an organized program, but the opening of thankful hearts to the Lord in a way that is unmistakably glorious.
Verse one has two imperatives that state the importance of praise. Praise is important, and praise from the soul is more important. Praise to the Lord is given without reservation and with absolute conviction. In verse two, there are vows of absolute commitment in the form of two declaratives. “While I live, I will praise the Lord,” and then he goes further to state a lifetime commitment – “I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.” That is what we know as unreserved commitment and is about as far as a human being can go in making a vow of praise.
This contrasts with the limitations of men, who are powerless to meet the fundamental needs of an individual or a society. No matter what position in life a person holds, that person is limited by human weakness. There is no point in trusting noblemen because they usually have their own agendas that motivate any assistance they might offer. They are not dependable. Strong men may have physical power, political power, or some other kind of power, but their power and plans are done when they die. Even that may be sooner rather than later. There is no reason to put trust in any man whose values are not God’s values. His values are the opposite of those of society in general.
In contrast to the weakness of men is the power of God. He is the Helper of the helpless. As Jehovah, He is the Redeemer. As Elohim, He is the Creator-God in whom we have full confidence. He is the all-powerful Creator, the One who is always faithful to His word. He takes the part of the helpless and provides for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, as well as the basic needs of human life. He frees those bound to habits they cannot break. The devil, the world system, self-centered living, and oppression can bind people to where they have no one to turn to but the Lord.
The Lord is our helper; he who created heaven and earth can care for His own. The Lord is our hope. He provides for us with caring concern. He frees those who are bound, gives sight to the blind, lifts the hurting, cares for the lonely, and removes the fear of those who can’t provide for themselves but who trust Him. He made those who were physically blind see when He was here, and He can do it again. He gives spiritual eyesight to those who come to Him. He will carry the burden of those who are sorrowful, oppressed, or in trouble. He loves those who obey His law and do His will. For those who seek the paths of righteousness, He knows and makes it His business to tend to the welfare of strangers and those who have no human helper.
Christian values are very different from the social and secular values of our day, which shift from righteousness grounded in the word of God as the standard to popular opinion and laws that accommodate accepted social sins. So, in His own time, the Lord will judge the wicked by His righteous standards. He is the King eternal, the only wise God.
For our learning, we know that praise changes the focus of our minds from self to God. Praise leads us from meditation to worship God. Praise makes us consider and appreciate God. Praise lifts our minds from earthly things to heavenly things. Praise prepares our hearts to accept divine love and power. So, it is well that we, like the psalmist, say, “Praise ye the Lord.