We’re excited to welcome our guest, Jennifer Hong, whose post today continues our study of Psalm 145 in our Great is the Lord series. Find the full series here.
I have taught my children not to say “always” and “never.” More specifically, I have advised them to be very careful about using such words when speaking about people or circumstances, as a declaration of absolutes is rarely true.
“You always interrupt me.”
“You never let me have the first turn.”
“We never play the game that I pick.”
These kinds of statements are usually exaggerations and often put someone on the defense. To encourage my children to think carefully before speaking, these words are taboo in our home.
In All His Ways, In All His Works
Maybe it is because absolutes are buzz words in my household that my ears prick uncomfortably at the abundance of the word “all” in Psalm 145. I counted eighteen uses of “all” in twenty-one verses! Then, I read the Psalm again, soaking in the full meaning of each of these great statements.
Though I caution my children against characterizing themselves or others with such broad-sweeping declarative words as “always” and “never,” absolutes can absolutely be applied to God! They are no exaggeration here. God is love (1 John 4:7-10). He is all love, through and through, entirely and always. He is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9). He is always faithful, forever and ever, into eternity. God is unchanging (Malachi 3:6), and David extols God’s unchanging goodness throughout Psalm 145.
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.” (v. 17)
I am struck by the contrast between this statement and my own life, where my flesh still struggles against submission to grace. I try to act righteously, but no one would suggest that I am righteous in all I do. Kindness is my aim, but I have spoken over my children words that hurt. Thank Goodness, the Lord’s ways are higher than my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). Because the Lord is righteous and kind in all that He does, I can trust Him, in every circumstance and every season.
The Lord is Near
In verse 18 the Psalm transitions from praising God’s absolute characteristics to extolling our Lord in terms of how He relates to His people — to those who call on Him, fear Him, and love Him. God is responsive. He hears His people’s cries and responds to their needs. This is His righteousness and kindness in action.
Read the following verses and identify the “who,” the recipient of God’s mercy.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.” (vv. 18-20)
Did you notice that each of the “who” phrases include the word “Him”? The recipients of God’s mercy are identified not by their own character and actions but by their relationship to God. They call on Him. They fear, revere, and honor Him. They love Him.
The Bible also tells us that this relationship was initiated by God. 1 John chapter 4 shows us that the love we receive from God is the very source of our love given in return.
“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins…. We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:10, 19)
Do you see how love flows through this beautiful relationship? God loves us, and we respond to His love with trust, reverence, and love. We call to Him with a sincere heart, and He is near. Psalm 145 is David’s great expression of praise, extolling who God is and what He has done. The Lord is near. Let’s lift our voices in praise.
For Study and Reflection:
1) Speak or sing God’s praises by reading aloud Psalm 145 or singing a song of praise. Psalm 145 was written millenia ago in the Kingdom of Israel. O the Deep Deep Love of Jesus was written by Trevor Francis in London in 1835, and Reckless Love by American songwriter Cory Asbury was released last year. All three declare God’s extravagant love. Lift your voice in praise.
2) How have you seen God’s righteousness or kindness?
3) In what current or recent life circumstances do you need to call on the Lord?
4) Thank God for His faithfulness.
Jennifer lives in Houston with her husband of fourteen years and their four energetic children. Since leaving her pediatric practice seven years ago, she has found life at home to be wild but wonderful. Homeschooling has fueled Jennifer‘s passion for education, driving her deeper into the Word. Her favorite day is Thursday, when her family escapes their urban surroundings to walk in the woods and dig in the dirt.
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