PSALM 145: PRAISES TO OUR KING

 INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 145

These last 6 Psalms - 145-150 - are a group of Psalms dedicated to PRAISE AND WORSHIP. They are known to be used by Jews in their "public worship". They begin and end with "Hallelujahs", the Hebrew word for PRAISE THE LORD. 

This Psalm in particular is of a "personal nature" as David sings his own praises. They are also, "daily,  enthusiastic and never ending". Our praises too should be "personal, abundant" songs of joy. 

"It is personal (I WILL SPEAK) and then becomes universal (WE WILL SPEAK." Charles Spurgeon

"I PRAISE YOUR GREATNESS, O GOD, MY KING. I will PRAISE YOU FOREVER AND EVER. I WILL PRAISE THE LORD. Let everyone PRAISE THE LORD FOREVER AND EVER. Let every creature PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME, FOREVER AND EVER."  Psalm 145:1, 2 & 21b  (NCV)

The other theme in this Psalm is GOD'S KINGSHIP, and that of His Son JESUS CHRIST. David worshipped his FAITHFUL FATHER GOD, and we too can trust our SAVIOUR AND LORD - JESUS CHRIST. David looking forward to the coming of the MESSIAH, as we await His second coming.

"LORD, YOU ARE OUR KING. You reign over the universe, and are worthy of our PRAISE. Everyday, we sing YOUR PRAISES." Nicky Gumbel

In the next verses of this Psalm, David not only talks about GOD'S ATTRUBUTES - His greatness, love, mercy and faithfulness - but he also believes that these are seen in HIS SON, JESUS. As we trust in JESUS TODAY, as our omnipresent Saviour and Deliverer, we also look forward to our Heavenly future.

"The LORD IS CLOSE, to all who CALL OM HIM in truth. " Psalm 145:15 (NCV)

"Thank you LORD, that one day YOUR KINGDOM IN HEAVEN will be ours, and we will again reign with JESUS CHRIST - our MESSIAH, forever and ever." Nicky Gumbel

THE GREATNESS OF OUR KINGDOM - Psalm 145:1-7;                                                                              Ezra 4:6-5:7 

David praised and worshipped HIS KING everyday. He writes songs of praise to his FATHER GOD, and these will never be enough, for OUR LORD IS THE KING OF KINGS. He is OMNIPOTENT (GREAT) and in control of all our lives.

Over and over David tells us that GOD IS GREAT! But this is just one of His attributes, and for us  He is WORTHY OF GLORIOUS PRAISE. In our perspective, GOD IS GREATER STILL!

"GREAT IS THE LORD and WORTHY OF PRAISE. He is MAGNIFICENT and can never be PRAISED ENOUGH. There are no boundaries to HIS GREATNESS, and these can never be FATHOMED." Psalm 145:3 (NIV/MSG)

Human leaders are POWERFUL, but no one is as GREAT AS GOD HIMSELF. Ezra showed us that God's work could not be stopped by even the greatest of human leaders. God's work may be threatened and His plans opposed, but when GOD is behind them, THEY WILL SUCCEED! For God is our GREAT CREATOR AND KING!

"The Israelites had returned from exile, together with those who had separated themselves from all unclean practices of their Gentile neighbours, in order to seek the Lord, the God of Israel......the Lord had filled them with JOY by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in their work on the House of God, the God of Israel." Ezra 6:21&22b (NIV)

"Put your trust in GOD'S SOVEREIGN RULE. Don't trust in human leaders - TRUST GOD, YOUR KING." Nicky Gumbel

David goes on to tell us that we have a responsibility to SHARE the greatness of God with others - our  next generation of children and grandchildren.

"They tell of the power of  YOUR AWESOME WORKS. I will proclaim GREAT DEEDS, celebrating your ABUNDASNT GOODNESS. Your fame will spread over the country, joyfully singing of YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, on everyone's lips." Psalm 145:6&7 (NIV/MSG)

"We can share our testimony with others - day in and day out - telling what God has done in our lives." Pippa Gumbel

There is an "extensive and intensive greatness" found in out praises to our GREAT KING. Our praises must be "fervent, zealous, lifted high and full of life". Like David, our "spirit and hearts must be raised". 

OTHER ATTRIBUTES OF OUR KING - Read Psalm 145:8-13

God is GRACIOUS, LOVING, MERCIFUL and FAITHFUL. As our King, "He provides all our needs". Because of his LOVE, KINDNESS AND COMPASSION, He gives us MERCY " when "we deserve His anger".

LOVE is indeed the most powerful force in our world, yet GOD is our greatest source of LOVE. His COMPASSION overcomes evil. When we encounter difficulties in our life, you need to "imitate the gracious love of God." GRACIOUS LOVE is backed up by HIS POWER AND MIGHT, and we can rely on Him through all circumstances.  It is no wonder David wants to continue to PRAISE and WORSHIP HIS GRACIOUS GOD. 

David wanted to share with the world and His creation. He wanted to sing his praises, knowing that IN ETERNITY he would live with His Father God and His Son Jesus, in HEAVEN. 

"Your Kingdom is an EVERLASTING KINGDOM. Your dominion endures for ALL GENERATIONS." Psalm 145:13a (NIV)

"David again sensed the responsibility of God's people to PRAISE THE LORD and to tell the wider world all that God had done for them. He also needed to PRAISE THE LORD because of His eternal Kingdom where one day we could live with Him in Heaven, and with His Son Jesus." David Guzik

OUR FAITFUL SAVIOUR & KING - Read Psalm 145:14-20; Mark 8:22-26, 10:13-16; Acts 19:1-20; Ezra 7:8-10

This Psalm is full of "wonderful PROMISES", which we know were kept by God and His Son Jesus.

* The Lord upholds us!

* The Lord is near to us!

* The Lord watches over us!

* The Lord answers our prayers!

These, along with their many attributes, help to "preserve us", as we endeavour to follow the ways of the Lord. He lifts up those who are oppressed,  "weighted down with weakness", and depressed. 

"The Lord is TRUSTWORTHY in ALL HIS PROMISES, and FAITHFUL IN ALL HE DOES. The Lord UPHOLDS all who fall, and LIFTS UP all who are bowed down." Psalm 145:14 (NIV)

"You open YOUR HANDS and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is RIGHTEOUS in His ways and FAITHFUL in all He does."  Psalm 145:16&17 (NIV)

Hands are important, especially those of Jesus, who HEALED, BLESSED AND FILLED WITH THE HOLYT SPIRIT. Later people were given GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT when hands were laid on them.

"They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him....Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then His eyes were opened, his sight was restored and he saw everything clearly." Mark 8:22-25 (NIV)

"And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them."                                                                                                                             Mark 10:16 (NIV)

"When Paul placed his hands on them, they spoke in tongues  and prophesied." Acts 19:6 (NIV)

In the Old Testament we read how Ezra felt GOD'S BLESSING AND HIS SPIRIT, when hands were placed on him. These hands may be "invisible and intangible", but God's hands LEAD US, GUIDE US, ENCOURAGE US and GIVE US STRENGTH. Ezra knew that God was FAITHFUL AND GRACIOUS, and He would protect Him. Ezra was a priest and a teacher, who, like David, trust in the "WAYS OF GOD" and the "TRUTH OF HIS WORD."

"He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the fifth month, for the GRACIOUS HAND OF GOD was on Him. For Ezra had devoted Himself to the STUDY AND OBSERVANCE OF GOD'S LAW, and TEACHING ITS LAWS AND DECREES in Israel." Ezra 7:9&10 (NIV)

"Lord, let me HOLD YOUR HAND like a child and WALK WITH YOU all of my days; secure in YOUR LOVE AND STRENGTH." Thomas Kemp - cited by Charles Spurgeon

"The Lord is there to listen to all why call on and pray to Him and mean it, all who call  on Him in truth." Psalm 145:18 (NIV/MSG)

What is PRAYER? It is "calling on the Lord", crying out to Him in times of need. PRAYER IS TRUTH because we know that God is "near us", and "hears us", "fulfilling our desires".

"PRAYER is a broad word referring to all COMMUNICATION WITH GOD. It involves: SUPPLICATION (asking God boldly for our needs); INTERCESSION (making requests on behalf of others), and as David reminds us: GIVING THANKS AND PRAISE. (David Guzik)

"PRAISES in our PRAYERS are VOLUNTARY acts to our Saviour, our Healer and our Deliverer."                                                                                                                  Max Lucado

CONCUSION - ETERNAL PRAISES - Psalm 145:21

"I will exalt you, my God and King; I WILL PRAISE (BLESS)YOUR NAME FOREVER AND EVER  Every day I will PRAISE AND EXTOL (BLESS) YOUR NAME FOREVER, UNTIL ETERNITY......My mouth will speak in PRAISE TO THE LORD. Let every creature PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME FOREVER AND EVER, from now UNTIL ETERNITY."                                                                                                              Psalm 145:1,2 & 21 (NIV/MSG)

David ends his Psalm as it begins, with PRAISE AND WORSHIP. It is the BEST PRAISE ever! It is sincere and intense, from a warm heart. We can use this Psalm as our model for PRAISE AND WORSHIP.

"Let every Christian render His praise unto the Lord, and call on His Name. I will speak PRAISE TO JEHOVAH, as long as I breathe. Here is the beauty of David's praise, as He delights in the GOODNESS AND MERCY of our God." Charles Spurgeon

There are two words in which THANKSGIVING IS KNOWN:

* PRAISE that "honours God's excellence".

* BLESSING that "honours God's benefits".

If we are to define our PRAISES they will be "LOWLY, LOVING WORSHIP", exalting the righteousness and MAJESTY of our FATHER GOD and HIS SON, JESUS. It is usually joined with a BLESSING.  No one's PRAISE AND WORSHIP will be rejected for we know OUR LORD IS HOLY. Our hearts are full of PRAISE - "our greatest delight". Some of David's Psalms are written as "teaching for God's people", but this Psalm is "directed to God."

"We PRAISE GOD for His abundant provision, HIS GREATNESS AND HIS LOVE. WORSHIP is a THANKYOU that refuses to be silenced." Max Lucado

"Great is the Lord", 1993, Asaph Alexander (Composer) Michael W Smith (Artist) Universal Music Publishing Group / You Tube 

"God is So Good" , 2018, Ben & Daniel Smith (Composer), Pat Barrett (Composer/Artist), Bethel Music/You Tube

"Way Maker", 2019, Osinachi Ohoro (Composer) Leeland (Artist) Integrity Music/You Tube

"Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica

"Holy Bible, New Century Version - The Devotional Bible" , Max Lucado,  2005, Thomas Nelson

"The Message - the Bible in Contemporary Language", Eugene H Peterson, 2018, Nav Press/Tyndale House Publishers

GUMBEL, Nicky & Pippa , "The Bible - Classic Version", 2024, Alpha/You Version

GUZIK, David, "Praying God's Word - Prayers of Paul", 2024, Enduring Word Bible Commentary,   You Version.

SPURGEON, Charles, "The Treasury of David - Study of Psalms - Volume 7, 1882,  Funk &  Wagnalls/Google Books

PSALM 144 - DAVID'S PRAYER FOR HIS KINGDOM AND HIS PEOPLE

 INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 144, Psalm  Psalm 40.

When the pressure is on, GO TO GOD. Your wounds will heal and you eyes will dry, IN TIME. Like David, if you have PATIENCE and WAIT FOR GOD and HIS TIMING, you will eventually RISE UP, STRONGER THAN EVER. 

"I WAITED PATIENTLY FOR THE LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my foot on A ROCK and gave me A FIRM PLACE TO STAND. He will put a NEW SONG in my mouth, a HYMN OF PRAISE to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM," Psalm 40:1-3 (NIV)

WAITING gives us TIME to "DEVELOP OUR STRENGTH FOR BATTLE". Our God is a GOD OF MIRACLES, who gives us "POWER TO ADDRESS OUR PROBLEMS". 

Are you exhausted? Have you ever felt like quitting? There were times David experienced these feelings, but he knew that "GOD WAS HIS ALLY". As a new KING OF ISRAEL, David had to trust in God to HELP and CARE for His people. 

'It is believed David wrote this Psalm a number of years after He was first ORDAINED KING. At first, he was KING only over the lands of Judah and Bethlehem, and then later all the PEOPLE OF ISRAEL accepted him. It showed his heart for GOD'S PEOPLE, in both WAR AND PEACE."                                                                                                                  David Guzik

We see in David's prayer how he:

*  acknowledged his VICTORIES with PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING.

*  prayed for GOD'S HELP to DEFEAT HIS ENEMES.

*  knew God would BLESS HIS FAMILY. 

*  had HOPE FOR HIS KINGDOM and HIS PEOPLE, that they would live in PEACE.

We too need to acknowledge the importance of "RELYING ON GOD", and we too can PRAISE THE LORD,  giving Him all glory.

"And Ezra blessed the Lord, THE GREAT GOD. Then all the people answered, "AMEN, AMEN!" They lifted up their hands and WORSHIPPED THE LORD with their faces to the ground."                                                                                                        Nehemiah 8:6 (NKJV)

DAVID - A REMARKABLE SOLDIER -  Read Psalm 144:1-8;   I Samuel 17&18   

"So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and BEHAVED WISELY. And Saul set him over the men of the war, ad he was accepted by all the people and also in the sight of Sau's servants."                                                                                                                1 Samuel 18:5 (NKJV)

David was a "REMARKABLE WARRIOR" - like our special forces soldiers. He was part of Saul's army and would engage in "hand to hand combat". He used special weapons skillfully -  the SWORD, SPEAR, BOW AND ARROW and a 'SLINGSHOT" - not only physically but spiritually. God also trained hm for his spiritual battles. eg. the "SWORD OF THE SPIRIT - the WORD OF GOD" , which like us, he was able to read and study, and GROW CLOSER TO GOD.

"David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword, spear and javelin, but I COME AGAINST YOU IN THE NAME OF THE LORD ALMIGHTY, the God of the Armies of Israel, whom you have defied.....All those gathered here will know that it is not by the SWORD OR SPEAR, that the LORD SAVES; for the  BATTLE IS THE LORDS, and He will give you into our hands"......So David triumphed over the Philistine with A SLING AND A STONE; with a SWORD IN HIS HAND, he struck down the Philistine and killed him." 1 Samuel 17:45, 47 & 50 (NIV)

TRUSTING IN A LOVING, CARING, OMNIPOTENT GOD 

"Blessed be the Lord, MY ROCK who trains MY HANDS FOR WAR, and my FINGERS FOR BATTLE. He is my LOVING (kind and merciful) GOD, MY FORTRESS, MY STRONGHOLD (High Tower), MY DELIVER and MY SHIELD; the One in whom I TAKE REFUGE."                                                                                                             Psalm 144:1&2 (NKJV/NIV)

* HE IS MY STRENGTH - "my Rock to build on".

* HE IS MY FORTRESS - David had formerly sheltered in caves and "strongholds". Now he depends on the Lord Himself.

"David captured the FORTRESS OF ZION, which is now called the CITY OF DAVID.....David became more and more powerful (respected by God's people), because the LORD ALMIGHTY WAS WITH HIM." 2 Samuel 5:7&10 (NIV/NLT)"

* HE IS MY DELIVER - God made David's victories for his "real benefit". He wanted God to be "present", and to save and deliver he and his people.

* HE IS MY SHIELD - to guard me against my enemies, and in a spiritual sense to be his "Shield of Faith", giving David strength in his battles. 

"You've got to FIGHT, you've got to FINISH, but most of all to KEEP THE FAITH"                                                                                                                 Charles Spurgeon

This Psalm was very PERSONAL to David (My/I am). We too need people to see how PERSONAL GOD IS TO US. David had a relationship based on GOD'S LOVE, MERCY and KINDNESS. He knew WITH GOD'S HELP AND PRESENCE, God would also be FAITHFUL AND LOYAL to him. He knew that God had put him on the THRONE, and He could always TAKE REFUGE IN HIM. 

"Lord, what are Human Beings that YOU CARE FOR THEM, mere mortals that you THINK OF THEM. They are a breath, their days are a fleeting shadow." Psalm 145:5&6 (NIV)

"When I look look at the night sky and see  the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars that you set in place - what are mere mortals that you should think of them, human beings that you should care for them? Psalm 8:3&4 (NLT)

What BATTLES are you fighting in your life? Are they "physical", "spiritual" or both? Remember, God in on your side, He cares for you, and He will "bring you through."

"Physical strength is not enough. We also need TRAINING FROM THE LORD." David Guzik

"With God BEGINNING IS WINNING, and He promises to BRING US THROUGH."                                                                                                                         Charles Spurgeon

DAVID - THE KING OF ISRAEL - Read Psalm 144:9-14, Deuteronomy 28:1-4

David was a SHEPHERD BOY, A SOLDIER and FUGITIVE; but now he became the "SOVEREIGN PRINCE" (KING), who would RULE OVER GOD'S PEOPLE. 

"Now there was a special hand of God inclining the people of Israel to become subject to David and later He would bring Jesus and His great divine ACT OF GRACE." Charles of Spurgeon

THE KING'S MUSIC AND VICTORIES

"I will SING A NEW SONG TO GOD; on the ten stringed lyre I will make MUSIC TO YOU; the one who GIVES VICTORY TO OUR KINGS, who delivers David, His servant from the deadly sword" Psalm 144:9&10 (NIV)

The next verses in this Psalm are a song of THANKSGIVING, for the VICTORIES David had won IN THE PAST. Now as king, he was ready to WIN MORE BATTLES, but this would not be on his own. Time and again, the Lord had come to David's rescue, but now in the PRESENT and FUTURE, David knew he could still TRUST THE LORD for DELIVERANCE.

During his time as a fugitive and soldier, the Lord had SAVED HIM from his enemies. Now as king he knew there would be more BATTLES, not just physical, but with HIS FAITH, which would KEEPING HIM GOING, just as it does for us. Just put one foot in a NEW DIRECTION, TRUST as David did, and GOD WILL ALWAYS BE WITH US.

"TRUST IN THE LORD, with all your heart, and lean not on your OWN UNDERSTANDING. In all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE HIM and HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS."                                                                                                                   Proverbs 3:5&6 (NKJV)

THE KING'S FAMILY

"Then our sons, in their youth, are WELL NURTURED PLANTS. Our daughters will be like PILLARS, carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of PROVISION."   Psalm 144:12 & 13 (NKJV)

David wanted the Lord to bless his "sons and daughters" and all the other descendants of his people. He wanted his sons to be "spiritually well rooted", as their father had been, and, to work, bringing a great harvest.  This is something I, as mother, pray each day for my son, and his family. 

"The HARVEST is plentiful, the WORKERS are few. Ask the LORD OF THE HARVEST to send out WORKERS into HIS HARVEST FIELD." Matthew 9:38 (NIV)

He wanted his daughters to be "stately and stable"; to be beautiful women of  God. My husband has married such a woman, and I love and respect her, as the wife of my son and mother of my grandchildren. She has recently become a CHILDREN'S PASTOR in her local Church, and I believe she and my son want to bring up their daughters to follow her example.

"THE WIFE OF NOBLE CHARACTER, who can find? She is worth more than rubies. Her husband has FULL CONFIDENCE IN HER......She brings GOOD, not harm, all the days of her life......She is clothed with STRENGTH AND DIGNITY; she can LAUGH at her days to come."                                                                                                           Proverbs 31:10,12, 25 (NIV)

Finally, we will all enter a "FULL SEASON" Our "barns will be filled" and our "stocks will multiply". With God on our side, we will "STAND STEADFASTLY". 

David wants his people to live SAFE and PEACEFUL lives with no violence - "no riots in the streets or war between nations." David was a WISE and CARING KING, like his Father God, and he asked Him to bless his people in their everyday lives.

"If you OBEY THE LORD YOUR GOD, and carefully FOLLOW HIS COMMANDS. I give you today, the Lord your God will SET YOU UP HIGH above the nations of the world. They will experience ALL THESE BLESSINGS if you OBEY THE LORD YOUR GOD."                                                                                                         Deuteronomy 28:1&2 (NIV/NLT)

 

CONCLUSION - Psalm 144:15

"Blessed (happy) are the people to whom THIS IS TRUE. Blessed (happy) are those to whom GOD IS THEIR LORD." Psalm 114:15 (NIV/NLT)

"The song closes with a PRAYER OF PEACE and PROSPERITY for Israel's FUTURE GENERATION." Pat & David Alexander

The people in David's Kingdom are "COVENANT (promise) PEOPLE"As their King, David expresses and earnest desire for the welfare of his people - GOD'S CHOSEN. We, too, today as BELIEVERS IN CHRIST are blessed with the "NEW COVENANT (promise) children". We are HAPPY AND BLESSED with the promise of CHRIST'S SPIRITUAL HERITAGE.

"These verses, may, with a little accommodation, be applied to PROSPEROUS CHURCHES, whose converts are growing and beautiful, the Gospel stories are abundant and the Spiritual increase most cheering. There ministers (pastors) and workers are FULL OF VIGOUR, and the people are HAPPPY AND UNITED. The Lord makes it so in all the Churches evermore......Those who WORSHP the HAPPY GOD become HAPPY PEOPLE." Charles Spurgeon

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