It was hard to choose one verse in this chapter. Overall, the chapter reminds us that there is no other source of strength besides that of God. Verse 3 says to put no trust in princes, in mere mortals powerless to save. No matter their money or planning, princes, kings, governors, they are all mere mortals and can’t offer the saving grace that God can. Verse 4 reminds us of that mortality: they return to the earth. All their planning and plotting will come to nothing if they don’t have God in their hearts. Sure, planning and leaving an estate for someone might help them out of poverty or oppression for a while. But they can’t take that money with them. Instead of focusing on strength and power that only lasts while on earth, we should focus on teaching others the word of God. It is faith that can secure justice, and feed the hungry. It is faith that sets prisoners free and opens the eyes of the blind. You can say, “a well paid lawyer can set a prisoner free. Or an expensive treatment might help someone to see.” But are they really free? And can they really see? God is the only one who can free our soul and help us see his word.
At the beginning of the chapter, we once again see “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord, my soul,” and this reminds us that we should praise him everyday. It doesn’t have to be the same blessing every time, as that might become more obligation than desire to thank him. It should be more like a 5 year old giving blessing before a meal, where you never really know what all becomes part of the blessing. When I feel prayers becoming too routine, I shake them up. Try praying in a different part of the house. Try having a candle lit or music in the background. Our mercies are new each day, as should our praise be. Don’t let yourself start to feel redundant and then fall off of praising God. Just sing a new song.
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