Salmos 146
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 146:1-7
146:1-2 This strophe (Ps. 146:1-7) starts with a double "hallelujah" (BDB 237, KB 248, Piel IMPERATIVES). This is followed by two personal commitments of the psalmist. I will praise ‒ BDB 237, KB 248, Piel COHORTATIVE I will sing praises ‒ BDB 274, KB 273, Piel COHORTATIVE) Praise of YHWH characterizes Psalms 146-150. The Psalter closes on this affirmation. This could refer to private worship but probably it denotes temple worship. 146:1 "soul" This is the term nephesh (BDB 659), which denoted the entire person (cf. Ps. 103:1). See notes online at Gen. 35:18. SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH 146:2 Notice the parallel between while I live ‒ BDB 313 while I have my being ‒ BDB 728 These reflect the Hebrew concept that there is no praise of God after death (cf. Job 10:21-22; 38:17; Ps. 63:4; 104:33; Isa. 38:18). The OT has a rudimentary theology of life after death. New Testament progressive revelation supplements this theology. SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD? 146:3 YHWH is praised because with Him, and Him alone, is salvation/deliverance (BDB 448), certainly not in frail, fallen mankind (MT, "a son of man"; LXX, "sons of men"; cf. Psalm 60:11; 108:12). The SINGULAR stands for all humans, as in Ps. 118:8. SPECIAL TOPIC: SALVATION (OT) 146:4 This verse picks up the thought of Ps. 146:2. At death the body returns to dust (cf. Gen. 3:19; Job 34:15; Ps. 104:29; Eccl. 12:7). The spirit (ruah, BDB 924) or life force goes to Sheol. SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT IN THE BIBLE SPECIAL TOPIC: SHEOL ▣ "his thoughts" This word (BDB 799, KB 898) occurs only here in the OT and is translated by most modern translations as "plans/designs." 146:5 The Psalm praises YHWH but also notes how "blessed" (BDB 80) are the faithful followers. Psalm 146:6-7 and 8-9 list the power and mercy of the God of Jacob. ▣ "help" This NOUN (BDB 740 I, KB 811 I) is often associated with deliverance and protection (cf. Exod. 18:4; Deut. 33:7,26; Ps. 33:20; 70:5; 115:9,10,11). ▣ "hope" The NOUN (BDB 960 I, KB 1305) can be translated (Piel stem) wait ‒ Ps. 104:27; 145:15 hope ‒ Ps. 119:166, Isa. 38:18 146:6-7 There is a series of Qal PARTICIPLES that describe YHWH as Creator (i.e., Elohim) made heaven, earth, sea, cf. Ps. 115:15; 121:2; 124:8; 134:3; Isa. 37:16; Jer. 32:17 created all that is in them this is a summary statement related to this planet as covenant God (i.e., YHWH) keeps faith/trust (see SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT) executes justice for the oppressed (the NEB and REB see "forever," לעולם, of Ps. 146:6c as "the oppressed," לעולים, UBS Text Project, p. 440) gives food to the hungry, cf. Ps. 145:15 sets the prisoners free, cf. Ps. 68:6; 102:20; 107:10,14; Isa. 61:1 (1) imagery of problems (2) slavery for debts (3) exiles (cf. Isa. 49:8-13)
Salmos 146:8-10
146:8-9 Like Ps. 146:6-7, these verses describe the God who acts, so different from the lifeless idols. opens blind eyes ‒ BDB 824, KB 959, Qal PARTICIPLE raises the bowed down ‒ BDB 279, KB 279, Qal PARTICIPLE, cf. Ps. 145:14 (these are the only usages of the VERB in the OT) loves the righteous ‒ BDB 12, KB 17, Qal PARTICIPLE, cf. Ps. 11:7; 33:5 protects the stranger ‒ BDB 1036, KB 1581, Qal PARTICIPLE (for a good brief article see Roland de Vaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 74-76) ‒ Exod. 22:21; Lev. 19:33-34; Deut. 1:16; 27:19 supports the orphan and the widow ‒ BDB 728, KB 795, Piel IMPERFECT ‒ Exod. 22:22-24; Deut. 10:18; 24:17-18; Ps. 68:5 thwarts the way of the wicked ‒ BDB 736, KB 804, Piel IMPERFECT This list is a composite of God's acts from Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and the Prophets. Number 6 is literally "to be bent" (BDB 736) or "to be crooked." This may be a play on the word "righteous" of Ps. 146:8c, which means "to be straight" (see SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS). All words for sin are a play on imagery for God's character, in light of which all humans are crooked. 146:10 This speaks of the sovereignty of the God of Israel and His plans (cf. Exod. 15:18; Ps. 10:16; 29:10). Just a theological note, how will YHWH reign and where and over who? Please look at SPECIAL TOPIC: WHY DO OT COVENANT PROMISES SEEM SO DIFFERENT FROM NT COVENANT PROMISES?. ▣ "Lord" See SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. ▣ "forever" See SPECIAL TOPIC: FOREVER ('olam) ▣ "God" See SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, C. ▣ "O Zion" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ZION