Psalm 145 is the final psalm attributed to the pen of David.  In the Authorized Version, it begins with the inscription:  “David’s Psalm of Praise.”  Though of necessity it reflects the perspective of Israel and the Kingdom, it is still wonderfully instructive for believers of every dispensation.  Space precludes our treating of the entire psalm, but we will note the seven clauses in which David uses the formula “The LORD is . . .” or “The LORD [“does”] . . . .”  For whatever else it may teach us, it certainly teaches the abundance of reasons we have for praising the Lord.

            V. 3—“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.”  This is the definitive statement; the particular reasons will come.  But in this statement David illustrates the proper spirit of a believer, namely, that the Lord is worthy of praise because He is God.  In one sense, nothing more need be said.

            V. 8—“The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”  David praises the character of the Lord.  Whatever He does on behalf of men is rooted in His character.  He has no ulterior motive for blessing them; He is not subject to bribery or blandishments.  His blessings spring from a character that desires to behave bountiful toward us.

            V. 9—“The LORD is good to all:  and his tender mercies are over all his works.”  Being possessed of a gracious character, the Lord cannot be otherwise than good to all.  He extends mercy to all—even the most rebellious and outrageous sinner (though most choose to reject that mercy).

            V. 14—“The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.”  The Lord shows a special mercy to the specially needy.  Those who fall into sin may still find forgiveness when they repent.  Those who are weighed down by some burden will feel the Lord come near to raise them up.

            V. 17—The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”  All the blessings the Lord chooses to bestow, He proffers without violating His holiness.  He does not ignore, deny, or excuse sin in order to bless; rather, He forgives and cleanses those who confess their sins on the basis of the price Christ paid on the cross.  What the Lord does when He blesses, then, is always morally right.

            V. 18—The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”  The blessings of the Lord are not limited to a favored few.  Any who come to God according to His way will receive the manifold blessings of His favor.

            V. 20—The LORD preserveth all them that love him, but all the wicked will he destroy.”  Here is comfort for the righteous:  the Lord will keep those that love Him from real harm.  Here is a warning for the careless or presumptuous:  the Lord’s grace does not excuse sin.  Those who reject His mercy face ultimate judgment.

            Please read the psalm in its entirety.  Then pray and strive to be among those whose hearts and lives praise the Lord, for He is worthy.