Psalm 145

Read Psalm 145

Psalm 145 is an acrostic poem that could be titled “God’s Greatness from A to Z.”  The writer praises God’s glorious splendor, wondrous works, awesome deeds, the fame of God’s abundant goodness, and God’s righteousness.  In verses 8 and 9, we’re reminded that the Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love; good to all, and his mercy is over all that God has made.

This Psalm reminds me of the lyrics of a contemporary Christian song (at least it was contemporary when I first heard it 40 years ago!) performed by the Imperials.  Its chorus reads: 

Praise the Lord. He can work for those who praise him
Praise the Lord. For our God inhabits praise
Praise the Lord. For the chains that seem to bind you
Serve only to remind you
They drop powerless behind you
When you praise Him

Praising God is holy therapy for me.  Perhaps it’s supposed to be for everyone.  Verse 18 reads: "The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth."  When I praise God, truthfully acknowledging His holy character and just as truthfully facing my humanity, God is close to me…and the chains that seem to bind me at the time of my calling on Him, they do in fact drop powerless behind me. 

- Lynn P.