Generations in Psalm 145 are Compelled to Continuous Praise

“I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.” Psalm 145:1

Praise erupts from the created to the Creator. We are inspired to pour out blessing upon blessing. Forever. Daily. His name is greatly to be praised. He is great and there is none other like our God. We will never plumb the depths of his greatness.

“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4

Those who have gone before us found God faithful. They testify to us. The faith has been handed down to us. Our ancestors commend his works and his acts to us. Therefore, we contemplate his splendor, his majesty. We meditate on his wondrous works. We join those who have gone before us, and we proclaim his mighty deeds. We announce his greatness to the world. His righteousness, goodness, and fame are evident as we sing with enthusiasm.

“The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 145:8

Grace and mercy. Repeated themes. Gifts to us. Our God is not angry with us. He is the definition of love; his love is unending. Uninterrupted. Regardless of what your circumstances of pain and loss seek to tell you. Our Lord is good. We sing it with writer, Paul Makai, and it’s true: “God is so good. He’s so good to me.”

His love is steadfast, and he pours mercy upon us.

“All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power…” Psalm 145:10-11

The normal response of recipients is gratitude. We pour out shouts of blessing to God. We testify to the glory of his kingdom and power. We testify of his good deeds to mankind. We share of his glorious splendor. One generation proclaims to the next because his kingdom is everlasting and enduring.

“…The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works. The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:13-14

Our faith is not unfounded. He is faithful—dependable and true—and he is also kind in every way. He lifts us and holds us up. Even though bowed down under the cares and pains of this world, we are strong when we stand by faith on his rock-solid foundation. He is good to us. He has promises for us. He is mighty and worthy of our trust.

“…I never knew less how to explain the ways of Providence, but I never had more confidence in my God.” Vance Havner, Though I Walk Through the Valley

We look to God for our sustenance. He gives us our provision, and his hand satisfies not only us but every living thing.

“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:17-18

God is righteous and kind. Always. And both. He is near to those of us who, by faith, call out to him. He fulfills our greatest desires because we fear him. Awe. Respect. We turn to him in every situation—good and bad—because he is the one who deserves our adoration and trust. He preserves us who love him, and he destroys the wicked.

Therefore, I am a loyal worshipper. My God deserves the praise that emerges from my heart and rolls off my tongue. Indeed, every living thing should bless the name above every name now and forever.

“My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.” Psalm 145:21