Today we will consider five Psalms – the last five Psalms of the book of Psalms. We begin in Psalm 146, where after a call to give praise to God and a commitment by the Psalmist to do just that (146:1-2), we come to the exhortation to trust no one aside from God. Trust does not belong in the greatest of men, because even princes can’t save (v. 3). Man’s plans are not eternal (v. 4). But God is worthy of trust. He is the Creator (v. 6) and Sustainer (v. 7) of all. He saves: setting prisoners free (v. 7), opening the eyes of the blind (v. 8), caring for the orphan and the widow (v. 9). And He is the eternal and true King (v. 10). Praise the Lord!

Psalm 147 continues the same theme. It is right to praise God (147:1) because He builds up His people (v. 2). He cares enough to heal the broken heart of one of His own (v. 3) even though He is the sovereign Creator of the universe (v. 4). He knows all and can do all (v. 5), and He humbles the exalted and exalts the humble (v. 6). He sustains His creation (vv. 8-9). Yet His joy is not in the creation, but in those who hope in His hesed love (vv. 10-11). God is protector (v. 13), provider (v. 14), and sovereign Ruler (vv. 15-17). By His very words He sustains the creation (v. 18). And by His very words, He sustains the people He has called to Himself (vv. 19-20). Praise the Lord!

Psalm 148 is another call to praise. The heavenly host should praise YHWH (148:1-2) and heaven itself should praise Him (vv. 3-4), for He has created them all (vv. 5-6). Those on earth should praise Him (v. 7) and the earth itself should praise Him (vv. 8-9). Everyone, from the lowest insect (v. 10) to the greatest king (v. 11) should praise Him. For God alone is worthy (v. 13). Praise the Lord!

Psalm 149 praises God through a new song (149:1). This new song is about the consummation of all things (see Isa 42:10, Rev 5:9, 14:3). The Psalmist calls for us to praise God as Creator and as King (v. 2). Verse 3 pictures the celebration when He brings all things to completion. Again, God’s pleasure is in His people (v. 4 – see 147:10-11) – in those whom He has saved. And He is our pleasure at all times (v. 5). Verses 6-9 speak of our coming in judgment with Him at His return. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 150 closes out the book of Psalms with another call to praise. We praise Him in His sanctuary and in heaven (150:1). This is speaking of praise in His very presence. We are to praise Him for all He’s done, and for Who He is (v. 2). We are to praise Him with song and with dance (vv. 3-5). Indeed, everything that has breath – every living creature: praise the Lord!