The psalm is the third of the Hallel psalms that were sung at the Passover, and it begins with a reminder that God alone should be praised. The psalmist, on behalf of other worshippers, asks God to continue to act in ways that would bring glory to himself. The worshippers knew that he had done so in the past when he delivered the Israelites from Egypt and brought them to the promised land. At Passover time, it was, or should have been, straightforward to think about God’s steadfast love and faithfulness!
A visitor to Jerusalem at Passover time might wonder why all the crowds had gathered there. He would be informed that they had gathered to meet with their God. ‘But where is he?’ the visitor might ask. ‘You don’t seem to be worshipping anything.’ The reply that would have been given is stated in verse 3: ‘Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.’ That statement is a reminder of his supremacy and his sovereignty.
In contrast to the supreme and sovereign God the vanity of idols is described in verses 4-8. They cannot speak or move because, being made by humans, they have no life. Yet they have an effect on those who use them and depend on them. Such are unable to praise God in any way or live for his glory.
In verses 9-11, the author calls on different groups in Israel to worship the Lord because he has helped them and protected them in the past. Groups mentioned include the nation as a whole, the priests and those who fear God. Those who fear God could be Gentiles who had become proselytes and there would have been many of them attending the Passover.
It looks as if there is an arrangement of choral responses here. The call issued in verses 9-11 is answered by another section of the worshippers who affirm that the Lord in the past has blessed the three identified groups of the nation, the priests and those who fear God and will continue to do so (vv. 12-13).
Then another response is given in verse 14 that asks God to bless those who previously called for divine blessings, and for him to extend his blessing to their descendants.
Further calls for blessing are made in verses 15 and 16. It is easy to wish for a person to be blessed by God, but what is the evidence that he can do it. One obvious evidence is his ability to make the universe (v. 15). Connected to that is his sovereignty revealed in deciding who goes where (v. 16). But alongside his sovereignty is his kindness in giving such a world to humans. In addition, there is also his expectation that humans will praise him.
In verse 17, the dead are described as being unable to participate in the praise of God. Who are the dead here? Perhaps the author has in mind those who worship idols in this life. The author may even be commenting on the fact that death is a divine judgment on the idolaters because in verse 18 he indicates, in contrast to those described as dead, that those who bless God, who worship him, will do so forever.
The psalm closes with an expression of determined dedication to the God who blesses his people.
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