Psalm Chapter 145

Psalm 145: David's Last Praise

This is the only psalm the tradition labels simply "David's Psalm of praise" — as if all the others were merely working up to this one. And what David praises is not what you might expect from a king looking back on a life of battles and betrayals. He praises God's tenderness. "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works." Over all. Not over the deserving, not over Israel alone, but over all his works — the whole groaning, glorious creation. And then this: "The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down." The God of this psalm is not watching from a distance; he is stooping. He opens his hand and satisfies the desire of every living thing. It is a vision of divine generosity so extravagant that it leaves you wondering not whether God is good, but whether we have ever really believed it. David's last word, fittingly, is an invitation: let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

00:00 I Will Extol Thee, My God
01:00 Tender Mercies Over All
02:00 The Desire of Every Living Thing