February, 2026

When our Bible study group, in December of 2025, was looking at Psalm 146 as one of the week’s readings, it was tough not to drop my jaw. Read the psalm here. Verse 3’s “Do not put your trust in princes” and the year’s “No  Kings” events seemed boldly connected. Verse 9’s “The Lord watches over the foreigner” jangled against hardline programs toward immigrants.

Yet, if you think that’s all this Psalm has to say—and to whom—you’d miss its richness.

Unlike some Psalms, this one does not tell who wrote it or why. I’m guessing that the writer was feeling oppressed by the government in place at the time. Possibly the writer also felt said government was not protecting or supporting the weak in their society. So, there could be some finger-pointing in this psalm, but it’s not entirely where you’d think. Who is the psalmist speaking to?

The writer addresses “my soul” (verse 1). Basically, this is a “note to self.”

Now, I freely admit to being kind of a news junkie. I think that the techniques/algorithms that have been used to make social media addictive—and which will be increasingly condemned—are also probably used by various suppliers of “news” to keep us over-hyped and constantly tuned in. This seems true no matter which political side you might favor.

So, one takeaway, for me, from verses 3-6 of Psalm 146 might be, “Chill. Take a longer view. God is God. Rulers, and their policies, come and go.” In many historical times and places, the rulers were changed out by death or conquering. For those of us in present-day USA, we know that elections can change government more quickly. With 2026 being an election year, it’s our power/responsibility to advance good leadership.

Part of that responsibility, oddly, will be for all of us to “note to self” ourselves against over-hyping and manipulation by forces who'd like to keep us arguing/ distracted. Resist it in yourself by relying on the Spirit and the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:17 likens this to a sword!)

So, we go back to Psalm 146. A big part of it (verses 7-9) lists specific ways God cares for non-powerful people who may be orphaned, blind, imprisoned, etc. (Praise God!) In other Old Testament passages as well, God’s special concern for the weak in society is expressed, along with specific practices that the people of God should do to help out. For example, when harvesting your vineyards, you were urged to leave some fruit behind for the poor and migrants (Leviticus 19:9-10).

Centuries later, Christ had parables promoting that same “love for neighbor” theme seen way back in Leviticus (19:18). Consider Jesus’ famous Parable of the Good Samaritan and its background (Luke 10:25-37), or the Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46). Sometimes, Jesus just came out and directly taught that his followers should care for others. Consider his washing of the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17) or his telling Peter, after his resurrection, “If you love me, feed my sheep” (John 21:15-17). I don’t think the idea of Christians serving others should be in dispute.

What’s gotten thorny is how some people want to measure anyone's devotion to God by their political stances, as if Christianity is about power or other self-interest, rather than love and service. When Psalm 146 contrasts “princes” and mortal leaders with our reigning GOD, its “note to self” concludes that people who put their hope IN GOD are better off. (It’s also comforting to read, in verse 9, that God frustrates the plans of the wicked! Another reason for praise!)

Even as Jesus navigated his ministry here, there were tensions between earthly power and Christ’s Gospel work. Just after the Feeding of the 5,000, the crowds wanted to make Jesus king by force, but he intentionally slipped away (John 6:15). At the beginning of his ministry, Satan tried to offer Jesus total earthly power, but he refused it (Matthew 4:8-10). Later, just before his crucifixion, Jesus told Pontius Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36), but that his purpose was rather to testify to the truth. During his ministry, Jesus preached the question, “What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)

Certainly, Christ’s kingdom is often not in tune with our world, where fame, fortune, and power are often chased, not regarding God. However, we also cannot forget times in history when religious leaders were chasing or abusing power themselves.

Christ did call out hypocrisy among the religious leaders of his time, who sometimes bent themselves to such lesser, earthly goals. Consider Matthew 6:1-21, Luke 14:1,7-14, or Matthew 23:1-12, 16-17, 25-28. Or, consider the story, often told before Easter, of Jesus passionately throwing out the animal-sellers and money changers from the temple (e.g. Mark 11:15-17 or John 2:13-17). Christ's mission was to shepherd people back toward God. So is ours. If our motives are tainted, people will sniff it out and our mission loses credibility.

So, hey, church, it’s Lent—a time of self-examination, humbling, and repentance. Granted, discernment is not easy stuff. However, I think one enduring relevance of Psalm 146 is this: We ask our own selves, most carefully, “Soul, where are you placing your trust?”

 

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written by Constance Morgenstern
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