Psalm 145

Good morning, friends!
Years ago, Angela and I attended a Marriage Encounter Weekend, which we highly recommend. During it, we were asked to write a brief description of who we are. I crafted a stunningly brilliant statement, absolutely nailing the assignment! However, when the facilitators offered a grid for evaluating our statements, I discovered I totally missed the point. Rather than describing who I was, I focused almost entirely on what I did. It was eye-opening!

While I was still developing in self-awareness, King David was quite aware of the God he loved and worshiped. In a bit of oversimplification, Psalm 145 can be viewed through the twin lenses of who God is – descriptions of his character – and what God does – descriptions of his activity. Grab some coffee and read the Psalm in its entirety. I’ll wait here for you.

Notice David starts by expressing his own worship: “I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever” (Psalm 145:1). He intended praise to be a vital part of his daily life (v. 2). David also wanted his people to grow in their worship, to understand more clearly who they were praising and why.

First, here are ways David described who God is:

• V. 3 – God is great and worthy of praise;
• V. 8 – God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and rich in love;
• V. 13 – God is faithful to his promises and loving toward all he has made;
• V. 17 – God is righteous in all his ways;
• V. 18 – God is intimate, near to all he has made.

This is not a comprehensive list, but a good place to start in understanding who God is!

Next, here are ways David described what God does:

• V. 4 – God works mighty acts of power;
• V. 6 – God performs awesome works and great deeds;
• V. 7 – God acts in abundant goodness and righteousness;
• V. 14 – God upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down;
• V. 15 – God provides, and he satisfies those who look to him;
• V. 19 – God fulfills the desires, hears the cries and saves those who fear him;
• V. 20 – God watches over those who love him but destroys the wicked.

Again, not a comprehensive list but a good place to start in understanding what God has done!

So, what's the point? What does it matter if we know part of who God is and part of what he does? David answers those question: “So that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom” (v. 12). David wanted the thankful worship of God to go global, believing people would be drawn to God the more they understood who he is and what he does. Mission and praise are vitally connected. As John Piper says, “mission exists because worship doesn’t.”

As you gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving next week, I encourage you to take time to praise God. Praise him for who he is, letting David’s list be the starting point. Thank him for what he has done, expanding on David’s list from your own life. David wanted the worship of God to spread across the globe. On Thursday, start by letting it spread across your table! God bless you and happy Thanksgiving.

Thankful for You,
Pastor David