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Psalm 145 English Standard Version (ESV)
Great Is the Lord] A Song of Praise. Of David.
145 I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you
and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,
and I will declare your greatness.
7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 The Lord is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.
10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your saints shall bless you!
11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom
and tell of your power,
12 to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
[The Lord is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.]
14 The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and kind in all his works.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;
he also hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord preserves all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
Reflection
- This is an acrostic psalm: we might call it “Praising God from A through Z”, as each letter brings to mind a different reason to praise the Lord.
- David resolved to praise the Lord daily and forever. And urged parents to declare God’s great acts and awesome deed to their children. And praise the Lord for his greatness, goodness, and righteousness.
- God’s grace is his favor and divine enablement to those who do not deserve it. He is merciful to those who deserve his wrath. He is patient with those who arouse his anger with sinning. His loyal love is amazingly strong and long-lasting. He is good to everyone, even sending rain and many other blessings on the unjust as well as the just. God consistently sustains the fallen, uplifts the oppressed, and provides for all. He cares for his creatures faithfully and lovingly all the time.
- God is attentive to those who pray to him sincerely. He will grant the petitions of believers and will deliver them in times of need. He will protect those who love him, but destroy those who do not. For these reasons, David said he would praise God, and all people will bless Him forever.
- How do you retell God’s awesome deeds and praise the Lord for his greatness, goodness, and righteousness among fellow-believers? Among your non-Christian friends and relatives?
