Blog Post #12 Liberation Thematic Study Psalm 146

Historical-Cultural Context

Waltke states that the section of Psalms that Psalm 146 is placed within, was written with the troubles of the exile behind the Israelites (886). Yahweh’s love and faithfulness has been proven among His people (887).

Walton explains that, in the context of the ancient Near East, the attribute of faithfulness was unique to Yahweh (109). Although Yahweh’s faithfulness is ‘frequently affirmed’ throughout the Old Testament, similar affirmations of other gods in the ancient Near East are ‘difficult to find’ (109). The gods of other ancient Near-Eastern communities were, as Walton describes it, under no obligation to be loyal to their people as they have no agreements, promises, obligations or commitments to fulfil. Israel’s covenantal relationship with Yahweh is unique for the historical-cultural context and allows them to rest in the security of His promises. Unlike other nations, they are not simply at the changing whims and needs of the gods, but can trust in the enduring faithfulness of a God that has chosen to enter into a covenantal relationship with them and has proven himself worthy of this throughout His dealings with His people.

In addition to this, the justice described in Yahweh’s dealing with the vulnerable and against the wicked is also arguably unique to His character. The Old Testament cites a God that is inherently just and consistent in His administration of this (Walton, 108). The examples given in Psalm 146 are evidence towards a God that can be trusted because of how He deals with the vulnerable. The gods in other ancient Near-Eastern societies were susceptible to mistakes and to incorrectly administering justice (104, 107).

Furthermore, the contrast clearly made between man and Yahweh in Psalm 146 is not a general contrast made in the ancient Near Eastern world. This is perhaps why the psalmist emphasises this so much. As Walton puts it, “gods were viewed as having all the same qualities as humans, good and bad...they were no better than people, they were simply stronger than people.” (103)

Psalm 146 not only demands praise for a God whose faithfulness is enduring, but whose faithfulness is unique and has been proven through His covenantal relationship with His people.