Read Psalm 145
A psalm of praise. Of David.

Psalm 145 is titled, A Song of God’s Majesty and Love, A Praise of David (NKJV); Praise to God the King, A song of praise, Of David (ICB); Great is the LORD, A Song of Praise, Of David (ESV); and The LORD Extolled for His Goodness, A Psalm of praise, Of David (NASB).

Some have called Psalm 145, “The Song of the Faithful Servant.”

David had blessed God many a time in other psalms, but this he regarded as his peculiar, his crown jewel of praise. Certainly, David’s praise is the best of praise, for it is that of a man of experience, of sincerity, of calm deliberation, and of intense warmth of the heart.

Charles Spurgeon, English preacher, 1834-1892

A Praise of David. Commentators point out that the previous five psalms were David’s prayers, and the next six psalms, to the end of the book, are psalms of praise. This psalm is the last to be signed by David.

Psalm 145 is an alphabet song, an acrostic poem, each line begins with the next letter. The Hebrew alphabet has twenty-two letters. Psalm 145 has twenty-one verses (note the two parts of verse thirteen above in the NIV). In the original Hebrew text (called the Masoretic Text), the letter nun is missing. While other ancient texts (the Septuagint as one) do have this second half of verse thirteen which includes that “missing letter.” Why was one letter left out in the original text? Why that letter in particular? Why are Bible translations so different with this psalm?

Some are quick to point out a mistake, and when people start pointing out what they call “mistakes” in translations, it becomes easy for others to dismiss all of God’s Word. The annoying battle of the Bible translators really can and does lead people astray, away from God’s Truth and what really matters.

The piece that translators argue about is this: The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does Psalm 145:13b (above in the NIV). This piece does not exist in the ancient Hebrew text. Did David leave nun out and why that particular letter? Why did some add it back in? There are whole blog posts about the letter nun and why David might choose to leave that one out on purpose.

But let’s remember this important point . . .

Nothing happens by mistake in God’s Word. Nothing. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.

Our takeaway here: read the Bible in different translations and pray for understanding. We can learn so much more when we do.

I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, and I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable.
Psalm 145:1-3 NKJV

Extol- verb to praise highly; to glorify (merriam-webster dictionary). Other translations use- exalt, praise, proclaim, lift high.

God placed David as king over His people, yet David would solely sing praises to the King of kings. Every day in every way forever and ever, David would sing of the Lord’s goodness. What gave David such peace and joy despite his circumstances? What gave David the humility to praise God like this?

David was a warrior king, renowned, battle worn, strong, and faithful. He was capable as king and as general. He was loved and respected as a warrior and king. Yet, David did not praise himself. All he had, and all he was, was completely due to the Lord’s favor.

Do we say the same?

No matter the circumstances going on around us, do we praise the Lord?

That is not how our culture does things. Typically, good things that happen are due to persistence and strength, and bad things are someone else’s fault. That is not what God expects, and it is not the example that David gives us in the Bible. Do you ever feel like a fish swimming upstream?

Sometimes the Lord is hard to understand. And we often struggle to see and understand His plan and see His goodness in all things, especially when bad things happen. It is in those moments, like David, that we must say “Great is the LORD and I will praise Him. His greatness is unknowable.”

Not all the minds of all the centuries shall suffice to search out the unsearchable riches of God; he is past finding out, and, therefore, his deserved praise is still above and beyond all that we can render to him.

Charles Spurgeon, English preacher, 1834-1892

One generation shall praise Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts. I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works. Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness and shall sing of Your righteousness.
Psalm 145:4-7 NKJV

David says- God is so good and so powerful that one generation must pass the stories on to the next. David ‘s life is a testament to this. Is this why he wrote so much that is recorded in the Bible? He wanted God’s character to be known throughout the generations, even to you and me.

Declare. Meditate. Speak of. Remember.

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
1 Peter 3:15 NLT

Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 11:18-20

Fix these words. Tie them and bind them to your hearts. Teach them, talk about them. Write them down. Always.

The LORD is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. All of your works will thank you, LORD, and your faithful followers will praise you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power. They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign. For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations.

The LORD always keeps his promises; he is gracious is all he does. [145:13 As in Dead Sea Scrolls and Greek and Syriac versions; the Masoretic Text lacks the final two lines of this verse.]
Psalm 145:8-13 NLT

David gives a whole lot of reasons to love the Lord here- kindness and mercy, slow to anger and full of love, good to everyone, glory and power and majesty, forever and ever.

The International Children’s Bible says, “with love He takes care of all He has made.”

When you think of God, do these characteristics come to mind? Or does the fear of God lean the other way? Do you believe God is good? Truly? If God is good, why do bad things happen? How do you explain this to someone who asks?

The Truth is that God is good and all He does is for the good of those who love Him.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Charles Spurgeon said this, “these things can be believed but sometimes cannot be explained.”

However, to someone who asks, we must be ready to explain why we believe. Who God is to us. What He has done for us. We must be ready to explain, then we trust that God will do the rest.

The LORD upholds all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look expectantly to 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, gracious in all His works. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. The LORD preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.
Psalm 145:14-20 NKJV

God holds all of creation in the palm of His hand. That is a scary and also a reassuring thought. Nothing happens outside of God’s knowledge. All we do is seen. He does not sleep; He does not look away, even when we might wish He would.

That which makes life bearable is the tenderness of the great Father.

Charles Spurgeon, English preacher, 1834-1892

We see God’s loving hand in creation around us, from the smallest insect to the ruling of nations and the ordering of the universe. Everything evil, pain and suffering, sickness, disease, and death are a direct result of sin and the fall of mankind. That is not how God intended His children to live. But He still sees all.

We can know this with certainty, because even though we sin and our sin causes pain and suffering, God has not abandoned us. He has not turned His back. He provides. He watches over. He comforts. He heals. He shows up in small ways and mighty ways.

Because of this, we can say,

I will praise the LORD and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.
Psalm 145:21 NLT

My mouth will declare Yahweh's praise; let every living thing praise His holy name forever and ever.
Psalm 145:21 HCSB

David ends where he began. I will praise your name forever and ever (1). He concludes with I will praise you and may all living things praise your name forever and ever (21).

These are the last (certain) words of David in the Bible. What a way to end. David’s life was a testament to following God in the ups and downs of life. David was not perfect; therefore, he is a good example for us to live our lives by. Many look at David’s sins plastered all over the Old Testament with contempt. His sins were great, and they affected many people’s lives, not just his own. But may we not be so quick to point a finger.

Remember: David was a man after God’s own heart. God loved him. He never abandoned David. Ever.

God never abandons you. David’s life is a testament to God’s mercy and great unfailing love. No matter how far you have fallen, no matter the guilt or shame that eats your heart, see David’s example of God’s forgiveness and grace.

David was a sinner, yet God loved him.

God loves you.

Whatever others may do, I will not be silent in the praise of the Lord: whatever others may speak upon, my topic is fixed once for all: I will speak the praise of Jehovah. I am doing it, and I will do it as long as I breathe. And let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Charles Spurgeon, English preacher, 1834-1892

Father in heaven, thank you for this alphabet song. Thank you for David’s words in the Bible. We can learn so much about you and your love and mercy from the psalms of David. Thank you for recording them for us to read thousands of years later. Help us to bind your words to our hearts and speak of them as we walk down the road today. Thank you for never turning away from us. We love you. Amen.

Heidi xoxo