Psalm 145
Praise pervades this hymn. God's various claims are duly
expounded. May they so influence our hearts that much fruit may ripen!
1-2. "I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will
bless Your name forever and ever. Every day will I bless You; and I will
praise Your name forever and ever."
Such is the hearty resolve of faith. May it in truth be
our very life. Happily will flow the days which are preparation for the home
in which praises never ebb.
3. "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and
His greatness is unsearchable."
Who can measure the infinitude of the Lord! But as we
praise, the topic will delightfully expand. Eternity will not exhaust it.
4. "One generation shall praise Your works to another,
and shall declare Your mighty acts."
The praise of God endures with earth's continuance. The
Lord's seed shall never be extinct, and the work of praise will be their
ever living joy.
5-7. "I will speak of the glorious honor of Your
majesty, and of Your wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of
Your terrible acts; and I will declare Your greatness. They shall abundantly
utter the memory of Your great goodness, and shall sing of Your
righteousness."
The theme exceeds all utterance. Let all efforts be made
to do justice to it; still the greatness, the majesty, the goodness, the
righteousness of the Lord, will scarcely be touched in their outlines.
8. "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow
to anger, and of great mercy."
The believer's experience testifies to this precious
truth. Where sin abounds, grace much more abounds. Our need and misery
awaken constant compassion. If provocations roused just wrath, we would
speedily be cast off. Every moment proves that God is rich in forbearing
mercy.
9. "The Lord is good to all; and His tender mercies
are over all His works."
Surely goodness and mercy follow us each day. All things
show His tender love.
10-12. "All Your works shall praise You, O Lord; and
Your saints shall bless You. They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
and talk of Your power; to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
and the glorious majesty of His kingdom."
The saints delight in extolling the name of their
glorious King. Superabundant is the theme presented by His dominion. His
throne is universal empire. His scepter is unbounded sway.
13. "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your
dominion endures throughout all generations."
From everlasting to everlasting He sits upon the throne
of unlimited sovereignty. From everlasting to everlasting His praises shall
resound.
14. "The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all
those who are bowed down."
Let us pursue our heavenward path leaning on our Beloved.
When we stumble He will uphold; when we fall He will upraise us.
15-18. "The eyes of all wait upon You; and You give
them their food in due season. You open Your hand, and satisfy the desire of
every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all
His works. The Lord is near to all those who call upon Him, to all who call
upon Him in truth."
All sustenance comes from His bountiful goodness. His
open hand pours down plenteousness on earth. Holiness is His glorious
attribute. Holiness is stamped on all His works. May the impress on our brow
be, Holiness to the Lord! Precious is the thought that the ear nearest to us
is the ear of our God, ever waiting to hear and to relieve our need.
19-21. "He will fulfill the desire of those who fear
Him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them. The Lord preserves all
those who love Him; but all the wicked will He destroy. My mouth shall speak
the praise of the Lord; and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and
ever."
Precious indeed is the promise that the desire of His
servants shall be fulfilled. Salvation shall be their heritage. No harm
shall injure those who love Him. But the wicked shall be utterly consumed.
May the concluding resolve be the inhabitant of our hearts! Let universal
blessings be ascribed to our Heavenly Father in Christ Jesus.