Instruction
Scripture: Psalm145:10-21
The prescript on this psalm tells us that it is both a song
of praise and that it was written by David. It is a fun fact that this is the
only psalm in the Book of Psalms to actually be called a psalm in its title.
For a psalm is a song of praise. The content of the psalm itself has to do with
thanks and praise for good that God does for the whole world, and encourages
the worshipper to make God known to others so they too will praise him. The
psalm gives words and reasons for us to praise God and to make him known in the
world.
Teaching
David writes in universal terms in Psalm 145. “All your
works shall give thanks,” “to make known to the children of men,” “throughout
all generations,” “The eyes of all look to you,” etc. He also covers a wide
group of topics in his thanks and praise: glory, power, help for the falling,
relief for the bowed, satisfaction for the hungry, righteousness, and God’s
presence and preservation.
David would have us think much more broadly in our thanks
and praise. He looks out at the world and sees all of it as God’s and in all of
it examples of what makes God praiseworthy. And above all, what makes God
praiseworthy is that he is God. What he does is rooted in who he is. He is
creator, provider, sustainer, savior, and all things good.
Life
What do you thank and praise God for? Is your focus on
things like family, health, and good things that happen to you and the ones you
love? Perhaps you give thanks for God’s protection. Maybe your focus in giving
thanks and praise is on Jesus and the salvation he won for you when he died and
rose again.
These are certainly worthy topics for thanks and praise.
This psalm challenges us to look even more broadly and to give thanks for how
deeply interwoven God is in our existence and the many ways that he blesses our
existence and makes it good. Indeed he brings us into his kingdom where we live
as his people.
Prayer
This prayer is written
in the theme of Confession.
O God, all your works shall give thanks to you, but all too
often we are unaware of how vast your works are. We look at this world through
our modern eyes and see natural processes, laws of physics, and the general
working of the world, but too often we do not see you as the author of those
processes and laws or as the one who keeps the world working. All of this is
your kingdom which displays your power and glory, but too often we are so
caught up in our day to day life or the troubles of this world that we fail to
see that this is all yours, and that we ourselves belong to you and are part of
your kingdom. Forgive us for failing to fully thank you for all you have done –
upholding us, raising us up, feeding us, satisfying our desires, giving us
righteousness, being kind, drawing near to us in our need, preserving us, and
destroying the wicked. Forgive us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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