Last Sunday morning I decided to begin our sound check by simply reading a worshipful Psalm. I remembered Psalm 145 being particularly worshipful so I pulled it up on my phone read a few verses to myself and decided this was definitely the one!
I started reading out loud for the whole worship team, intending to read 4, 5 or maybe even 8 verses and then stop…but I couldn’t stop! And the band was into it! There were spontaneous “Yes, Lord!”s and “Amen”s, and “Thank You, God”s. It was possibly the most worshipful reading of scripture I’ve experienced in a group. Have you had an experience like that? I hope so. Of course it doesn’t have to be in a group. Reading scripture is absolutely one of the best ways you can worship God. That’s what it was designed for!
I had so much fun simply reading through this Psalm that I wanted to spend some more time with it. So come along with me and let’s read and reflect on these truths together [my own thoughts of praise are written within brackets and italicized]:
Psalm 145[a]
A psalm of praise. Of David.
1 I will exalt you, my God the King; [exalt: to raise in rank, honor, power, character, quality; to priase, to intensify]
I will praise your name for ever and ever. [even beyond my life here on earth, I look forward to praising you in heaven for eternity]
2 Every day I will praise you [help me remember to praise you every single day – don’t let a single day go by when I might be so focused on myself that I forget to praise you]
and extol your name for ever and ever. [extol: to praise highly; laud; eulogize]
3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom. [your greatness and worthiness extends beyond the furthest reaches of my imagination]
4 One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts. [may I be one of those who intentionally proclaim your mighty works to others, especially children]
5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— [majesty: regal, lofty, or stately dignity; grandeur; supreme greatness or authority; sovreignty]
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.[b] [just as I’m doing right now!]
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works—
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness. [no matter my own situation or circumstances your ABUNDANT goodness is worth celebrating – help me to do that]
8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and rich in love. [YES! Thank You, God! I so need your grace and compassion. How wonderful it is that you are patient with me, and that you have no shortage of love, that you are able to lavish your love upon me]
9 The Lord is good to all;
he has compassion on all he has made. [even the people whom I dislike – help me Lord to have compassion on all]
10 All your works praise you, Lord;
your faithful people extol you.
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might, [I want to speak of your might more often!]
12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts
and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. [God, use me to reach my neighbors. I want them to know your glorious splendor, and your saving grace.]
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.[c] [Thank you, Lord! How I need someone who I can trust without fail]
14 The Lord upholds all who fall
and lifts up all who are bowed down. [Praise you, father!]
15 The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food at the proper time. [everything I eat comes from you – thank you for your providence]
16 You open your hand
and satisfy the desires of every living thing. [when my desires are satisfied it’s only because you allow it. Every good and perfect thing comes from you]
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways
and faithful in all he does.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth. [AMAZING! Truly amazing! That you, the Creator of the Universe, would care enough about tiny me that you would listen to me and come near to me!]
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him, [to think that You are paying attention to me!]
but all the wicked he will destroy. [Your justice is necessary and right, and holy]
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord.
Let every creature praise his holy name
for ever and ever. [I love the idea that every creature is able to praise God and bring glory to His name. Simply by existing, every creature proclaims God’s worthiness to be praised as the creator.]
I hope you enjoyed that as much as I did. What are some of your favorite verses to meditate on like this? Feel free to share not only the verse reference but also some of your reflections and thoughts in the comments section of this blog. I would love to read them.
