I. Praise then LORD, O My Soul! (v.1-2)
II. The Human Condition (v.3-4)
III. The God who… (v.5-9)
IV. A Diamond God Is Forever (v.10)

1 LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul!

2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.

4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;

7 who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free;

8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.

9 The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.

10 The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!”

Sermon Discussion questions
The Lord Sets Prisoners Free: Psalm 146

Ice Breaker: Have you ever been a "sojourner" (traveler in a foreign place)? Share a funny or memorable moment from that experience.

This Week Specific

Psalm 146 begins and ends with Hallelujah! / “Praise the LORD!" How can you incorporate more genuine praise into your daily life? Are there specific moments or practices you can adopt to keep praise at the forefront of your mind?
Verses 3-4 warn against putting trust in princes or humans. In what areas of your life are you tempted to place your trust in people or institutions rather than in God? How can you shift your trust to God in those areas?
Verses 5-9 highlights God’s care for the oppressed, hungry, prisoners, blind, and orphans. How can you emulate God's compassion in your community? Are there specific actions you can take to support and care for those in need around you?
The sermon lists 12 reasons to trust God, including His care for the oppressed, hungry, prisoners and sojourners. Which of these aspects of God's character resonates most with you personally? How might you be used by God in caring for others in these ways?
The sermon mentioned the importance of a lifelong commitment to worship. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your relationship with God remains strong and vibrant throughout your life? How can you inspire and encourage others in your community to do the same?
How does the idea that "God reigns forever" impact your perspective on current events or personal challenges? How can we live with an eternal mindset in a rapidly changing world?

Weekly Questions

Sermon Discussion questionsThe Lord Sets Prisoners Free: Psalm 146