Psalm 145

Read Psalm 145

“I will extol You, my God and King, and bless Your Name forever and ever.” David announced to the Lord his dedication to daily worship. “Every day I will bless You and praise Your Name forever and ever.” David was not being forced into a duty that was unpleasant to his soul. He was deeply impressed with the glory of God. “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.”

Every generation in Israel had the privilege of passing on the message of the Lord's majesty to the young people who were with them. They could “speak of the might of Your awesome deeds.” They were teaching their children and grandchildren central truths of life when they sang of the goodness and righteousness of the Lord.

The psalms of Israel and the hymns of the church throughout the centuries recount for us the character of the Almighty. “The Lord is gracious and merciful.” These words are not just a mantra to memorize. They are a summary of what the Lord's people have understood about Him based on His dealings with His people so richly presented to us in the Bible. “The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.”

It is the delight of the godly to proclaim the wonders of the Lord throughout the earth. One lifetime is too brief to make known among all the people groups of the world the mighty deeds of God and the glorious splendor of the resurrection kingdom that Jesus has inaugurated. Our praise of the Lord will go beyond our brief lifespan here below. The Lord's kingdom is everlasting. “Your dominion endures throughout all generations.”

One day we will see and experience the fuller glory of His reign. In our current condition in this fading world, we cry out to our God for His help. He knows our weakness. He “upholds all who are falling.”

We have a Friend at the right hand of the Father. Through Him we offer up our petitions to God. “The Lord is near to all who call on Him.” The Son of David who died for us is also the Christ who is in us by His Holy Spirit. He carries us through our moments of present distress. One day we will appear before Him in glory.

“The Lord preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.” A day of final judgment has been imminent since the closing of the Scriptures. How much more so today when the message of Jesus has reached every nation on the face of the earth. Let us join the redeemed from all over the globe who worship the Lord. “My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever.”

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

O Lord Our God, we praise you now, and we will never stop praising You. We will speak of Your greatness from generation to generation. There is so much to sing about in Your presence. Your goodness and mercy should never be ignored. Your might and Your truth are displayed in Your care for Your children. You are building a wonderful Kingdom. You are near to us, and we call upon You with great delight. We love You, O God. May all the earth magnify Your Name forever.