Psalm Devotional
Praise the Lord, for He Is Good
Written by Kit Swartz. This devotional was first published in the January 2019 issue of The Reformed Presbyterian Witness.
A Strategic Psalm
Psalm 145 is the only psalm that has the Hebrew title of the whole book for its own title—Praise. It is the last psalm of those explicitly connected to David in the title. It is also a suitable transition and introduction to the climactic conclusion of the Psalter in the doxologies of Psalms 146–150.
A Complete Psalm
David uses an acrostic (alphabetic) scheme to indicate that he is covering the praiseworthiness of God from A to Z. He ties up this praise with a bow of chiasms (inverted parallels) in verses 1–2 and 21 (praise-bless, bless-praise, and praise-bless).
A Persuasive Psalm
Praise is the exuberant celebration of the magnificent glory of God. We must have a deep conviction and active consciousness of the glory of God in order to praise Him truly. David, in anticipation of Christ saying, “I praise you, Father” (Luke 10:21), leads us by his example (vv. 1–2, 21) and moves us by his reasons. This is the logic of praise throughout the Bible: “Praise the Lord for (because) He is good!” (see 1 Chron. 16:34; Ezra 3:11; Ps. 106:1, 107:1) The Hebrew does not merely predict future praise but, along with the reasons cited, strongly encourages people to fulfill their privileged duty to praise God. David is saying that he must and will praise God for the reasons he lists and that we should do so for the same reasons. David sets an example for praise at the beginning (vv. 1–2) and works toward the conclusion of everyone joining him in this (v. 21). He gives three pairs of calls and reasons to praise in the intervening verses (vv. 3–19).
Praise the Lord because He is the great King (vv. 1–7)
(See also Ps. 100:3)
God is and should be praised for His attributes of greatness (vv. 3, 7) revealed in His mighty works (vv. 4–6). Throughout the Psalms, we are called to praise God for His wonderful works in creation, providence, and redemption.
Praise the Lord because He is the good King (vv. 8–13)
(See also Ps. 100:5)
The Lord is and should be praised for His attributes of goodness (vv. 7–9; 11, 13) that are revealed in His mighty acts (vv. 9–10, 12). Throughout the Bible, we are called to praise the Lord for His grace (v. 8; Ex. 33:19; 34:6), in which He gives good that is not deserved, and for His mercy (v. 8, Ex. 33:19; 34:6), in which He does not give the calamity that is deserved. Psalms 106 and 107 speak of such things. It is not surprising that we see this same pair of grace and mercy in the New Testament along with their fruit: peace (1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; 2 John 1:3). The Lord’s supper leads us to Christ for His grace (as symbolized in the bread) and His mercy (as symbolized in the cup). These are the two great elements of the gospel and a summary of our salvation in Christ (see 2 Cor. 5:21).
Praise the Lord because He is the gifts King (vv. 14–19)
(See also Ps. 68:18 and Eph. 4:8)
David moves us to praise God by listing many particular ways in which the Lord demonstrates both His greatness and goodness (see Ps. 100:3, 5). In each of the previous sections, David moved from abstract attributes to general works, and he now moves to particular deeds.
The great and good, gracious and merciful God supports the unstable (v. 14), lifts up the downcast (v. 14), gives good things to those who wait (v. 15), gives food to the hungry (v. 15), gives abundantly to those with extensive needs (v. 16), gives straight paths to those who are confused and wandering (v. 17), is loyal to those who have been betrayed (v. 17), accepts those rejected by others (v. 18), and gives gifts to those who merely ask (v. 19). These things are given to those who call on Him in faith, not hypocrisy (v. 18); with reverence, not presumption (v. 19); and in obedient love, not wicked hatred (v. 20). In summary, the Lord gives you what you need, when you need it (v. 15), and how you need it. All of this speaks eloquently and in detail of the person and work of Jesus Christ as the Gospels testify to Him (see Luke 4:17; 7:20).
A Promise and Warning (v. 20)
David assures all who join him in exuberant praise that the Lord will save them completely. He also warns those who wickedly refuse to praise the Lord that He will exterminate them entirely.
A Final Call (v. 21)
Heed David’s call to praise God with him by singing this psalm. Be persuaded in the perfect ability and abundant willingness of God to save you. Be moved to thankful praise for the past gifts He has given you and to hopeful praise for the many future gifts He promises.
