Psalm 145 is filled with great words of praise and acknowledgment for God and flows from a heart that loves the Lord. This Psalm is introduced as David's Psalm of praise. Charles Spurgeon wrote, that this Psalm "...is altogether praise, and praise pitched in a high key.  David had blessed God many a time in other psalms, but this he regarded as his peculiar, his crown jewel of praise."  In this Psalm, David praised God for his fame or glory (vs. 1-7), for His goodness (vs. 8-10), for His Kingdom (vs. 11-13), for His providence (vs. 14-16), and finally, for His saving mercy (vs. 17-21).

It is difficult for me to narrow down this Psalm into a single devotion, but I must. Therefore, I want to focus on verses eight and nine, and then verse 21.

Psalm 145:8, "The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy."  Here David lists four specific points of praise that are couched in God's love for you and me.

1. God is gracious.  This speaks of the manifestation of God's unmerited favor in our lives.

2. God is full of compassion. The ministry of our Lord demonstrated His compassion for those in need.  Oh, how we need Him!

3. God is slow to anger.  What a wonderful assurance! Aren't you glad He is slow to anger?  As a matter of fact, this is one of eight times in the Bible where God is so described.  (Study Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 103:8, Proverbs 15:18 & 16:32, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2, and Nahum 1:3).

4. God is of great mercy.  He withholds the punishment we deserve.  

Do we not have great reasons to praise the Lord!!!

Psalm 145:9, "The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.” What a wonderful proclamation.  God is good to all! The word translated “tender mercies,” has the idea of bowels of compassion. The thought is of tender emotions welling up from the abdomen.  The mercy and compassion of God are upon all that He has made—including you and me!

Psalm 145:21, "My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever."  David concludes this psalm with one final pledge.  Because of the greatness, majesty, graciousness, and righteousness of God's works, he vowed to praise Him.  The Psalm appropriately concludes with the injunction for all to praise God's holy name forever.  Will you make sure to set a course in your life to praise the Lord every day?

May the "...words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."  (Psalm 19:14)

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1. List some of the great reasons for you to praise the Lord, and then take time to do so.

2. Has there ever been a time when you questioned the goodness of God? What was the circumstance, and what did you do to rid yourself of such a sin?

3. No one, if they consider the greatness, majesty, grace, and mercy of God, has any reason not to praise God. Don’t fail in this area of your life. Don’t be self-focused, be God-focused.

4. Will you set a course in your life to praise God for different things every day?