REASONS TO PRAISE

There are highly respected leaders throughout history who exhibit integrity and genuinely devote themselves to serving the public. The psalmist, however, warns us against putting our complete trust in any of them (3,4); they are fatally fl awed. Human beings cannot bring salvation; they die—and their plans die with them.

Is this overly negative? The psalmist is not undermining all human leadership; he is simply making the point that if we hitch our wagons to their stars, we will inevitably be let down. High hopes placed in the over-inflated promises of political leaders during elections, for example, usually leave disillusioned voters. They lack the capacity, knowledge and longevity to make good on their promises—and that’s even when their intentions are all good.

Contrast the Lord, who will outlast us. He will be there throughout the psalmist’s life (2). His faithfulness is “for ever” (6). He knows how the world works, because he is both Creator (6) and King (10). We are called to join with the psalmist in praise of this Lord. We also call ourselves to such praise (1b), taking time to remind our hearts that this is our God. We don’t belittle our leaders but neither do we put them on a pedestal. Instead, we look beyond them and remember that our God supplies all our needs out of his riches (2). His faithfulness assures our future (6), his compassion assures us that nothing can finally crush us (7,8), and his watchfulness assures that the weak will be protected and the wicked restrained (9). Of course, it does not always feel that way. That’s why we have psalms like this—to keep reminding us; to keep us on track.

Are you disillusioned with leaders? Have you elevated them beyond what they were meant to be? Pray for them and for yourself to refocus.