Psalm 146:6-10
Our responsorial psalm for this week comes from Psalm 146, a hymn of praise that extolls the merciful God as the only source of strength.
It is one of the last five psalms in the Psalter, often called the “Hallelujah Psalms,” because they all begin and end with the word Hallelujah, which means “Praise the Lord.”
The God of Jacob keeps faith forever,
“God of Jacob,” a title used frequently in the Psalms and other parts of the Old Testament, highlights God’s enduring covenant relationship with Jacob (Genesis 31-33) and, by extension, the entire people of Israel.
The fact that God, the Creator, remains eternally faithful provides a foundation of trust for believers.
secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry.
Unlike earthly rulers who may fail or exploit the vulnerable, God actively works to support and vindicate those who are unjustly treated.
He is also concerned with the physical well-being of people, particularly those who lack basic necessities.
The LORD sets captives free.
This can be understood both literally (delivering people from physical captivity, as he freed the Israelites from bondage in Egypt) and metaphorically (liberation from spiritual, emotional, or societal bondage).
God has the power to bring freedom to those in any form of captivity.
The LORD gives sight to the blind;
This includes healing physical blindness as well as providing spiritual enlightenment.
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
God is portrayed as a source of strength for those who have been humbled by life’s circumstances. This action of lifting up signifies God’s support and restoration.
The LORD loves the just;
The psalmist highlights God’s special favor toward the righteous; i.e., those who live according to God’s will.
the LORD protects strangers.
In ancient Israel, foreigners lacked the rights and protections afforded to native citizens, leaving them vulnerable. These strangers on the margins of society are precisely the kinds of people the God of Israel chooses.
Israel itself is a prime example of this protection: They were aliens in Egypt when God took them and made them into his people.
The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
Orphans and widows were among the most defenseless people in ancient Israel because they lacked a male protector or provider.
In this context, a widow was a woman whose husband had died, leaving her without an adult son or male relative to care for her. In a patriarchal society that reserved economic power and legal authority for men, a widow often faced poverty, social isolation, and exploitation.
Without parents to care for them, orphans were similarly at risk. The extended family was traditionally responsible for taking care of orphans, but when no such support system existed, these children usually fell through the cracks of society. Like widows, orphans were often neglected, with no rights and little protection or recourse against those who might exploit them.
These are the ones for whom God cares.
The LORD shall reign forever;
Unlike earthly rulers whose reigns are temporary, God’s reign is unending, which provides a sense of stability and security to believers.
your God, O Zion, through all generations.
This phrase personalizes God’s reign for the people of Zion (Jerusalem), signifying that God’s relationship with his people is not limited to one generation but extends throughout all time.
Alleluia!
The psalm concludes with a call to worship. Alleluia, or Hallelujah in Hebrew, is a liturgical expression meaning “praise the Lord.”
After recounting God’s attributes and actions, the natural response is one of praise and gratitude. Alleluia!
Sunday Readings 