Psalm 146, one of the five concluding "Hallelujah" psalms (Psalms 146–150) in the Book of Psalms, is a hymn of praise celebrating God's eternal faithfulness and His compassionate care for the vulnerable. The selected verses (6c–7, 8–9a, 9b–10) highlight divine justice: God keeps faith forever, upholds justice for the oppressed, provides food for the hungry, frees prisoners, opens the eyes of the blind, raises up those bowed down, loves the righteous, protects the stranger, sustains the orphan and widow, and thwarts the ways of the wicked, whilst reigning eternally over Zion. The responsorial refrain, "Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (from Matthew 5:3), or alternatively "Alleluia", links the psalm directly to themes of spiritual humility and divine blessing.

The origins of Psalm 146 are rooted in the post-exilic period of ancient Israel, likely during the Second Temple era (circa 5th–4th century BCE). Unlike many earlier psalms, it lacks a superscription attributing authorship to David; Jewish tradition in the Septuagint links Psalms 145–148 to the prophets Haggai and Zechariah. Modern scholarship generally views it as a later composition or redaction, reflecting the experiences of the returned exiles rebuilding Jerusalem and the temple after the Babylonian captivity. As part of the Psalter's doxological finale, it emphasises trust in God rather than mortal rulers, echoing the community's renewed focus on divine sovereignty amid political fragility and restoration hopes.

In the liturgy, this responsorial psalm is appointed for the Mass on the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A. It complements the Gospel reading from Matthew 5:1–12a (the Beatitudes), where Jesus blesses the poor in spirit, the meek, and those who hunger for justice—mirroring the psalm's portrayal of God's preferential option for the marginalised. The first reading (Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12–13) calls for humility and upright living among the lowly remnant, whilst the second (1 Corinthians 1:26–31) stresses that God chooses the weak to shame the strong. Together, these texts underscore the liturgical theme of divine reversal: God's kingdom favours the humble and oppressed, urging the assembly to embody justice, mercy, and trust in His everlasting reign. This selection invites worshippers to reflect on spiritual poverty and social responsibility, bridging Old Testament praise with New Testament fulfilment.