Praise the Lord, My Soul

A Reflection for Wednesday, March 18, by Rev. Natasha Westerhoud 

Lectionary reading for 03/18/2026: Psalm 146; Isaiah 60:17-22; Matthew 9:27-34

Selected passage for reflection: Psalm 146

Read

Psalm 146

1 Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

2 I will praise the Lord all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

3 Do not put your trust in princes,

in human beings, who cannot save.

4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;

on that very day their plans come to nothing.

5 Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord their God.

6 He is the Maker of heaven and earth,

the sea, and everything in them—

he remains faithful forever.

7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed

and gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free,

8 the Lord gives sight to the blind,

the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,

the Lord loves the righteous.

9 The Lord watches over the foreigner

and sustains the fatherless and the widow,

but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10 The Lord reigns forever,

your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, My soul!

Reflect

I'm so thankful to trust in the One who stays faithful forever, bringing justice to the oppressed, feeding the hungry, freeing prisoners, watching over strangers, supporting the fatherless and widows, opening the eyes of the blind, and lifting those who are struggling. There's no one else I'd rather trust, yet sometimes I find myself wandering and getting lost. I try to handle things that feel overwhelming, or I take my eyes off the only One who can help, hoping someone else will come to my rescue. About a month ago, I received some tough news. At first, I didn't turn to the One who promises eternal faithfulness, who SUSTAINS and lifts me. Instead, I spiraled into anxiety and restless nights, trying to control everything. I leaned on others but forgot the One who truly knows me best. When I finally paused and took a deep breath, I turned my eyes back to Jesus, and He gently reminded me of His goodness and constant faithfulness. He has never abandoned me and remains faithful forever. Only then could I sleep peacefully, comforted in the knowledge that God is watching over me. 

Psalm 146 is a song of reorientation and an invitation to trust not in ever-changing powers, disappointing plans, or those who cannot save, but in the living God who remains faithful forever. Psalm 146 gently warns us: “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help.” During Lent, we are asked to consider what we rely on for security, whether it be our routines, achievements, illusion of control, or even the approval or advice of others. These “princes” are not necessarily people; they can be anything we hope will support us but ultimately cannot bear the weight of our souls.

Respond 

Psalm 146 demonstrates God’s active faithfulness: uplifting those who are hurting, sustaining the weary, and caring for the unseen. It’s comforting to realize God’s reign isn’t distant but quietly and persistently breaking in, even amid wilderness or fragile moments. Take a moment to check in with your soul. Does it feel thin, cracked, or tired? This is an invitation to turn to praise. Not because life is easy, but because God remains faithful.

Rest 

Father, we rest knowing you are the maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in between. You remain faithful, and we put our trust in you and praise you as you watch over us. Amen. 

About the Author 

Natasha Westerhoud follows Jesus' teachings by living with love, compassion, generosity, and radical hospitality. As an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada, she serves as a chaplain, caring for residents and families. Deeply passionate about pastoral care, she founded Soul Care Ministries, offering inspiring workshops and mental health support around the world. She is also a trauma and attachment counsellor, currently studying for a degree in Spiritual Care. Married to Mike for 30 years, they have two beloved children, Hana and Eli, after a heartfelt journey of waiting and crossing oceans to adopt. She openly shared her adoption stories in ‘The Mom Quilt,’ with proceeds supporting The Mercy House in Kenya, helping pregnant girls in need.