Thank you for joining us this month as we delve into Psalm 145. Today we are studying verses 13 through 16, but if you’re just joining us you can catch up on all of this month’s posts here.
Psalm 145 is clearly attributed to the psalmist, David— the man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). Charles Spurgeon, a late 19th Century preacher and Bible commentator, said that Psalm 145 is David’s “crown jewel of praise.” We can make David’s praise our own, and even better, use this psalm as a model to create our own praise, for “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised…” (Psalm 145:3).
An Everlasting Kingdom
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations. Psalm 145:13a
In this verse David praises God for His eternal kingdom. Unlike earthly nations whose rise and fall, success and failures, fill the annals of history and dot our timelines, God’s kingdom and rule will never end. From David’s praise to my own: “God, you are the King of Heaven; You will never vacate Your throne.”
A Faithful Kingdom
[The Lord is faithful in all his words
and kind in all his works.] Psalm 145:13b
Because God and His kingdom are eternal, we can count on Him to do what He says. We who are bound by time, can look back and count all the ways and times God has kept His promises. Furthermore, God uses His power and sovereignty for the good of His people. Earthly rulers parade their power and increasingly find ways to use it to benefit themselves and those who are in their cultural/political tribe. With David I say: “God, you are the Faithful One. You are true to Your people in every way.”
A Kingdom of Second Chances
The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:14
True to His faithful nature, our failing is not disastrous because He stands ready to rescue and re-establish us in Him. Earthly kingdoms quickly abandon those who fail, but God embraces those who cry out to Him for saving. It’s humbling to ask for help or a rescue. Our earthly systems applaud self-sufficiency, but God exalts those who allow Him to take the lead in their lives. David knew the reality of sin and humility before the Lord, and with David I say, “God, there is NONE like You. There is no one gracious like Our God.”
A Bountiful Kingdom
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand;
you satisfy the desire of every living thing. Psalm 145:15-16
The people of God know that everything belongs to Him and comes from Him. There are no winners and losers in God’s economy. Everyone has what they need. This is not the case with earthly kingdoms; no nation exists that satisfies the needs of its citizens. In God’s Kingdom His people are satisfied with His perfect provision. Along with David, I lift my praise, “God, You are my Provider.”
Kingdom Living
What about the days when our flesh fails, and our emotions take the lead? If we’re honest, there are days when we are dissatisfied with what God provides because we compare ourselves to others. There are moments when we get distracted by things we want, forgetting that God gives us what we need. On the days and in these moments, we can turn to praise and gratitude to train and retrain our hearts and minds to depend on the Lord.
Praise
From our lips to God’s ears, words of praise instruct our hearts on the nature and attributes of God. As we worship Him, our impotency becomes clear and God’s omnipotence overtakes the fear and failing. Simply start with the words, “God, You are. . . .” According to His Word, tell Him who He is, and His provision will become evident.
Gratitude
After telling God who He is and seeing His care in our lives, our praise turns into thanksgiving. “God, thank you for. . . .” Giving gratitude to God quiets our wanting with satisfaction. It creates a list of proofs of God’s working in our lives and confirms this for our heart and mind.
A Kingdom Like None Other
There is no other God like our God. His kingdom is everlasting, faithful, grace-giving, and abounding in blessings. The qualities of the kingdom originate with the King. Great is the Lord! May our praise and gratitude magnify Him and His kingdom.
Study Questions
1. What words do you ascribe to God today? Fill in the blank: “God, You are ________________.”
2. Continue to study what praise is by reading the following verses of scripture. In each verse, what specific attribute of God is being praised?
1 Chronicles 16:28
Daniel 2:20
Jeremiah 20:13
Ephesians 1:6
Exodus 15:2
Isaiah 9:6
3. Make a list of what you’re thankful for today.
4. How is God’s kingdom different from earthly kingdoms, and what does that mean for Believers?
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