Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Psalms, grapples with this very question in its exploration of Psalm 146.
The verse "Hallelujah, my soul, etc." sparks a fascinating discussion. The prophet Jeremiah, as quoted in Jeremiah 20:13, sings, "Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord," and the Midrash asks, why? The answer given is beautiful: because God saves the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers. When the wicked are sent to Gehenna (hell) and the righteous are saved, that is a moment deserving of praise. Moreover, it's a praise that never leaves the poor. It's a constant acknowledgement of God's deliverance.
But it doesn't stop there. Isaiah 57:19 declares, "I create the praise of the lips." It's not just about personal praise; it's about inspiring others. "Let all flesh bless His holy name." This leads to the declaration, "I will praise the Lord in my life; I will sing to my God as long as I exist."
King Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 9:12, reminds us, "For man also does not know his time." If we don't praise while we're alive, when will we? The Midrash emphasizes that death isn't the time for praise. As Psalm 115:17 says, "The dead do not praise the Lord," and Psalm 6:6 echoes, "In death there is no memory of You." So who will praise God then? The answer rings out: "He who is alive, He who will praise You," not in Sheol (the underworld). Ecclesiastes 9:10 reinforces this, stating, "For there is no work, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in Sheol."
Therefore, the Midrash concludes, "I will praise the Lord in my life." It's a call to action, a reminder to seize the present moment and offer our gratitude while we can.
The text then pivots to the famous verse in Psalm 146:3: "Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation." This isn't just about political figures; it's about the futility of relying on others for our salvation. We can't coast on the merits of our ancestors.
The Midrash illustrates this poignantly: A person shouldn't think, "Ishmael can say, 'Abraham is my father, and he will save me,' or Esau can say, 'Jacob was righteous, and he will save me, and I will escape through his merit.'" Psalm 49:8 makes it clear: "No man can redeem the life of another." We can't rely on our family's righteousness to save us.
So, if we can't trust in princes or ancestors, what should we rely on? The answer is clear: on our own deeds. Proverbs 9:12 says, "If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it." Each individual is responsible for their own actions and their own spiritual growth.
The Midrash beautifully connects this to our daily lives. Proverbs 16:26 states, "A laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger urges him on." We can't eat from our father's actions. Ecclesiastes 6:7 reminds us, "All man's labor is for his mouth," and 3:22 adds, "So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work." Ultimately, Psalm 128:2 encapsulates the message: "When you eat the toil of your hands, you are praiseworthy, and it is well with you."
The message of this Midrash is powerful and enduring. It's a call to action, urging us to praise God in the present moment, to take responsibility for our own actions, and to find meaning in our work. It's a reminder that we can't rely on others for our salvation; we must cultivate our own relationship with the Divine. So, what are you waiting for? What praise will you offer today?