Psalm 146:7-10
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.
The Lord keeps faith forever, secures justice for the oppressed, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets captives free. The LORD gives sight to the blind;
God’s faithfulness is unending. He shows mercy to those in every kind of need.
the LORD raises up those who were bowed down.
There are many situations in life that can force one to be bowed down, whether a physical disability, a mental or emotional affliction, a hardship, or an injustice.
Whatever it might be, God re-establishes them in security and enables them to stand with pride.
The LORD loves the just;
God delights in those who live justly and seek to align themselves with his ways.
the LORD protects strangers.
The Hebrew word ger, translated here as “stranger,” refers to a foreign resident or sojourner—someone living among the Israelites without native status, often vulnerable and reliant on the community for protection and hospitality. Strangers, or aliens, lacked certain legal rights and, being in a foreign land, were often unfamiliar with the rights they did have, making them easy targets for exploitation.
Israel itself serves as a powerful example of this condition: when they were strangers in Egypt, God intervened, taking them as his own people and delivering them from oppression.
The fatherless and the widow the LORD sustains, but the way of the wicked he thwarts.
In patriarchal societies, privileges primarily belong to adult free men, leaving women and children dependent on male guardians within their households. Widows, in particular, are often women whose husbands have died, leaving them without a home or an adult son to care for them. They are marginalized and require a patron for support.
Similarly, the orphans mentioned lack extended family to provide refuge, emphasizing their vulnerability.
In summary, we see that God’s protection extends to society’s most vulnerable: the foreigner, orphan, and widow. God’s care for them illustrates his impartial justice and compassion.
Conversely, God’s opposition to “the way of the wicked” shows that he actively defends against those who would exploit or harm others, protecting them against injustice.
This verse creates a poignant connection with our other readings for this Sunday, with stories of two widows in extreme poverty.
The LORD shall reign forever; your God, O Zion, through all generations.
The psalmist concludes with a proclamation of God’s eternal reign, affirming that his justice and compassion are not temporary but enduring.
“Your God, O Zion” makes this eternal reign personal to Israel, reminding them that their God is not distant but actively involved in their lives.
Alleluia.
Alleluia, or Hallelujah in Hebrew, is a liturgical expression meaning “praise the Lord.” This summons suggests that this psalm was sung as a hymn in a liturgical setting. In this case, it’s also used as a response to their series of statements about the nature of God. Having heard examples of God’s indescribable graciousness, the people are called to give praise. Alleluia!
Sunday Readings 