If you ever forget who God is or what the character of God is like, then read this Psalm.  Seriously, post it where it can readily be seen so on the bad or confused days, days when you feel unloved, your mind will be immediately changed.  Your heart and soul will be filled with praise for our God who is everything to us and for us.  I am lifted in my thinking each time I read each line of this “song” of praise to God Almighty!

DID YOU KNOW…This is the only psalm called “A psalm of praise.” David mentions several attributes of God, among them His greatness (v. 3), His grace, goodness, and compassion (vv. 8-9), His glory and might (v. 11), His righteousness and kindness (v. 17), and His providential care (v. 20).

Who could not praise a God with these wonderful characteristics? But along with telling us why we should praise the Lord, David tells us when we should praise Him.  ALL THE TIME!!

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 145, The Message

I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King!
    and I’ll bless your name into eternity.

² I’ll bless you every day,
    and keep it up from now to eternity.

³ God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.
    There are no boundaries to his greatness.

⁴ Generation after generation stands in awe of your work;
    each one tells stories of your mighty acts.

⁵ Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking;
    I compose songs on your wonders.

⁶ Your marvelous doings are headline news;
    I could write a book full of the details of your greatness.

⁷ The fame of your goodness spreads across the country;
    your righteousness is on everyone’s lips.

⁸ God is all mercy and grace—
    not quick to anger, is rich in love.

⁹ God is good to one and all;
    everything he does is soaked through with grace.

^10-11 Creation and creatures applaud you, God;
    your holy people bless you.

They talk about the glories of your rule,
    they exclaim over your splendor,

¹² Letting the world know of your power for good,
    the lavish splendor of your kingdom.

¹³ Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal;
    you never get voted out of office.

God always does what he says,
    and is gracious in everything he does.

¹⁴ God gives a hand to those down on their luck,
    gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.

¹⁵ All eyes are on you, expectant;
    you give them their meals on time.

¹⁶ Generous to a fault,
    you lavish your favor on all creatures.

¹⁷ Everything God does is right—
    the trademark on all his works is love.

¹⁸ God’s there, listening for all who pray,
    for all who pray and mean it.

¹⁹ He does what’s best for those who fear him—
    hears them call out, and saves them.

²⁰ God sticks by all who love him,
    but it’s all over for those who don’t.

²¹ My mouth is filled with God’s praise.
    Let everything living bless him,
    bless his holy name from now to eternity!

TRUTH: “Everything God does is right—the trademark on all his works is love.”  God is everything to all who believe and praise His Name.  Trust in God and He will never fail us.

Proverb 3:5-6, The Message

WISDOM: “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.”

Abba, Father in Heaven,

Hallowed be Your Name. Great are You, Lord.  You are the air I breathe, the wisdom for each step I take, the voice that leads me to all that is good.  You are the Counselor when I am confused by life.  You are Comforter when I am sad over loss.  You are the Healer when I am brokenhearted or sick in all kinds of ways.  You are the One and Only I run to when I am afraid and fearful of the unknown.  You are the One who loves me best and who teaches me how to love.  May Your Kingdom come and reign in me and your glory be seen all around me.  May Your Will be done in and through me, in all the details of my life on earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day your Word for today so that we will follow you expectantly.  Forgive us our sins as we forgive each other.  Lead us not into temptations but DELIVER us from the Enemy and his schemes to bring us down and distract us from your purpose.  Nothing is too hard for you—absolutely nothing.  So, to YOU be ALL glory, honor and praise today and forevermore.

In Jesus Name, Amen.  I believe.