Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 146

Praise: Following Psalm 103:1; Psalms 103:22; Psalms 104:33, “praise” being substituted for “bless.”

Princes— The thought of Psalm 118:8-9 is here elaborated, with distinct allusion to Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19 (Compare to 1 Maccabees 2:63). The verse, no doubt, was in Shakespeare’s mind when he made Wolsey say:

“Oh, how wretched
Is that poor man that hangs on princes’ favours!”

as it was quoted by Strafford when the news reached him that Charles I had given the royal assent to the bill of attainder against him. But in the psalm it is not the caprice of princes, as in these notable instances, but their frailty as men that is declared untrustworthy.

In that very day ...—Compare Antony’s words:

“But yesterday the word of Cæsar might
Have stood against the world; now lies he there,
And none so poor to do him reverence.”

SHAKSPEARE, Julius Cæsar.

Thoughts.— The Hebrew word is peculiar to this passage. “Fabrications” would reproduce its etymological meaning.

For the different aspects of the Divine nature and character inspiring trust, see Introduction. With this verse, compare Psalms 33:12 and Psalms 144:15.

Hope.— The Hebrew word is rare in the psalter, expressing earnest “looking for,” or “waiting for.” (See Psalms 104:27 and Psalms 119:166.)

Truth. —Or, faithfulness. The connection of this feature of the Divine character with the creative act is worthy of notice. That act alone was for the universe a promise and pledge, just as the covenant was a peculiar promise to Israel. Tennyson has put the same thought into verse:

“You made man, he does not know why;
He thinks he was not made to die;
And You have made him: You are just.”

In Memoriam.