Psalm 145:1-21

David was a man who had experienced both victory and defeat in his life. He was no stranger to joy but was also well acquainted with sorrow. At times, his life served as a great example, and he was a spiritual man, but at other times, David’s life was hallmarked by sin and bad choices. David was familiar with the goodness, grace, mercy, and longsuffering of God. He understood how good God had been in his life and the blessings which God had laid upon him. This understanding motivated David to praise God.

In Psalm 145, we find some key characteristics of David’s praise for God. Some commentators have said that this was perhaps David’s favorite psalm, but regardless, this psalm will give us great insight into David’s adoration for his God.

1. DAVID’S PRAISE WAS PERSONAL!

v1 “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.”

The words “I” and “my” are significant. David wasn’t about to let someone else magnify God on his behalf. David would praise God personally. You and I, as Christians, ought to have a personal life of praise as well.

2. DAVID’S PRAISE WAS PERSISTENT!

v2 “Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.”

David’s life would be a life of praise to God. He did not just praise God sporadically or from time to time, but the Bible declares, “Every day will I bless thee;” As believers, our life ought to be marked by consistency and even constancy when it comes to praising our God.

3. DAVID’S PRAISE WAS PURPOSED!

v3 “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.”

There was no question as to why or who David was praising. His praise was purposed. It was directed at the Lord. David was not magnifying himself or stimulating fleshly things; instead, his praise was centered upon the Lord. Praising God ought not to bring glory to man or pleasure to our flesh or attention to self, but true praise puts all the emphasis and attention on “the Lord.

4. DAVID’S PRAISE WAS A PROGRESSION!

v4 “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.”

Making much of God audibly, whether in testimony or sermon or song, is of utmost importance. There is a progression of praise. If the former generation brags on their God to the younger generation, then that generation will know who their God is, what there God has done, and what their God can do for them. We ought to be quick to brag on our God because our children are listening, and the younger generation is observing.

ILLUSTRATION: John Wesley was about 21 years of age when he went to Oxford University. He came from a Christian home, and he was gifted with a keen mind and good looks. Yet in those days, he was a bit snobbish and sarcastic. One night, however, something happened that set in motion a change in Wesley’s heart. While speaking with a porter, he discovered that the poor fellow had only one coat and lived in such impoverished conditions that he didn’t even have a bed. Yet he was an unusually happy person, filled with gratitude to God. Wesley, being immature, thoughtlessly joked about the man’s misfortunes. “And what else do you thank God for?” he said with a touch of sarcasm.  The porter smiled, and in the spirit of meekness, replied with joy, “I thank Him that He has given me my life and being, a heart to love Him, and above all a constant desire to serve Him!” Deeply moved, Wesley recognized that this man knew the meaning of true thankfulness.

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