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Psalm 148 is commonly referred to as a psalm of universal praise. These verses are a call for everything on the earth and in the heavens to praise the name of the Lord.  Verse 5 gives us insight into why God deserves our praise, “[f]or he commanded and they were created.” God is Creator of everything on Earth, as well as in the heavens, and that is praiseworthy.

In only 14 verses, the psalmist covers all aspects of the earthly and the heavenly realms.  Starting with the angels in the heavens, we are reminded in verses 1 and 2 that nothing is so high that it should not praise the Lord. Even the sun, moon, and stars are praising their Creator (verse 5). From the highest mountain to the depths of the ocean, all of creation owes its existence to the Lord.  Verse 8 tells us that “fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind [fulfill] his word!” It is awe-inspiring to think that even the weather is sovereignly under God’s control and brings glory to His name!

Have you ever stopped to consider that a fruit tree bearing fruit or a cedar tree that produces durable, strong wood has only done so because God personally created those trees and commanded them to do so? Verse 10 tells us that both the wild and tame beasts of the earth, as well as living creatures that crawl along the ground or fly up in the air are workmanship of the Creator and bring praise and honor to him. As you move on to verse 11, we are reminded that no living creature is exempt from the obligation to bring praise to God. It does not matter if you are a king or a ruler, a man or a woman, old or young, we should all unite in praising the Lord!

It’s important to pay attention to the fact that this Psalm begins and ends with the phrase “Praise the Lord!” If you struggle with how to talk to God, beginning and ending with praise is a great place to start. Begin today by praising the Lord for the beautiful morning sky or cool breeze. At the end of the day, praise Him for the clear light of the moon or the still sounds of the night. His glory exceeds all others and the more you establish a habit of praise, the closer you will be drawn to Him.

Today’s Psalm starts by praising God and declaring that it is “good” to sing praises to Him. Verse 1 seems a bit formal upon first reading, and the rest of the chapter can feel like reading a grocery list, but a deeper dive into the translation reveals the soul-touching, life-changing revelation that comes from deeply, truly recognizing and engaging in the practice of praise. 

The verse begins with “How good it is to sing praises to our God…” The word good sounds a bit lackluster as it is commonly used today, but good meant something completely different to the Psalmist. The Hebrew word used here is towb. It is the same word used in the creation story of Genesis when the Bible states, “and He saw that it was good.” Good is the declaration of God when He spoke the universe into being! Good is not dull or boring! Good means excellent, magnificent, complete, valuable. This is the benefit and beauty of praising God! 

The verse ends with “…how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” Upon first reading, it may remind us of an etiquette lesson with instructions on how using the appropriate fork or proper dinner topics are “pleasant and fitting.” Again, the depth of the meaning seems to be lost in translation, so let’s dive in! The Hebrew words used here are naiym and nawah, meaning lovely or delightful and becoming or attractive. What we find revealed in the translation is that praising God changes us; it makes us better. Praising God transforms us into lovely and becoming people.

The chapter proceeds to list examples of God’s provision throughout Israel’s history, proclaiming them as the present perfection of His purpose for His people. The writer realizes that God’s work in the past remains God’s work in the present and prepares us for God’s work in the future. He wants us to remember what He has done to grow our faith and that He will do it again. Sometimes, we may approach praising God as something we “have” to do or just church-speak for singing, but God designed the action of praising Him so we recognize His magnificent power and His eternal provision. We are better people for His good and for His glory when we praise Him!

Psalm 146 is the first of five “hallelujah” psalms that serve as the endcap to the book of Psalms. Each Psalm begins and ends with the Hebrew phrase hallelu-yah which is an exhortation to the reader to “praise the Lord!” By design, the holy book of poems concludes simply, reminding us again and again, “In every circumstance, praise the Lord!”

But Psalm 146 has even more direct insight into our world today. The Psalmist exhorts us not to trust in princes or in leaders who do not have the power to save. Even if they are not evil, they are incapable of saving others. No matter how much we prop up politicians and heroes as “the right man for the job,” salvation and hope are not found in their election. They are humans whose plans come to nothing the day they die. 

Multiple times, the Scriptures echo the sentiment of Psalm 103:15-16: “As for man, his days are like grass…when the wind has passed over it, it is no more” (ESV). Isaiah 2:22 puts it even more plainly: “Stop trusting in mere humans who have but a breath in their nostrils.” Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and every other figure of power are completely incapable of even creating their own next breath. Put no hope in them for salvation.

Instead, the psalmist adjures us to set our hopes, our eyes, and our praises on the sovereign King who is faithful forever. He sees the weak, the oppressed, the fatherless, and He upholds their cause. Only those whose help is in the God of Jacob are truly blessed.

As we consider the maelstrom of society and seek to find answers to the very complex and devastating issues that plague our world, we must ask how much of our hope is placed in government and like-minded politicians and how much truly rests on the character and power of the Everlasting God. The Psalmist asks us to understand that no matter how good and godly our leaders are, our hopes in them will be crushed. But more than that, no matter how evil and destructive our leaders are, our hope in God can stand secure.

The tone in Psalm 145 differs from the previous 5 psalms, which were full of prayers. Psalm 145 is the first of 6 psalms that are full of praises. In many ways these psalms of praise are the fulfillment of David’s promise to praise God in Psalm 144:9. David opens the psalm with a burst of gratitude and a commitment to praise and lovingly celebrate God daily (v. 2). We are invited to examine how often our hearts overflow with spontaneous gratitude for God. Do we nurture a daily habit of gratitude?

As David continues to lead us in praise, we see meditation on God’s goodness (v. 5) is another practice we are invited to cultivate. Is the goodness and faithfulness of God something we can say we habitually think about and meditate on? If we meditate on God’s goodness, then we can answer “yes” to the following questions. Are our hearts and minds aware of what good things God is doing in the world around us? Can we quickly and easily recognize when God is faithful and good?

David instructs us in his example to continually gush his gratitude and express his love for God to whomever will listen (v. 6-7). He is unashamed and uninhibited in his praising of God. He shamelessly attributes his good fortune and every good thing in his life to the grace and mercy of God, not his own strength or talent. Who or what do we attribute the grace in our lives? Are we unashamed of the proclamation that “every good and perfect gift” (James 1:17) comes from our Father?

David’s final “praise practice” is to lovingly celebrate the mightiness of God’s hand (what He does) and the goodness of God’s heart (who He is). Psalm 145 serves as a joyful reminder to celebrate what an incredible, powerful and gracious God we serve. He is worthy of nothing less than our unwavering gratitude, submissive wonder, awe-inspired reverence, and continuous, joyful praises. God is gracious, compassionate, good, near, trustworthy, fulfilling, and faithful. Like David, may our “mouths speak in praise of the Lord” (v. 21).

The character of God is well displayed in this passage. David, who is a soldier, begins by asking his Father to train his hands for war and fingers for battle. Ephesians 6:10-20 is the exact picture of what God does for us amidst a battle. He equips us so we are able to stand against the schemes of the devil. David simply asks for God’s direction and strength to get him through battle. David is not timid in his requests to God, but he approaches him boldly and asks things in the name of the Lord. He was after the defeat of the enemy so that the truth of God and His people would prevail. Matthew 7:7 says “Ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” This is a testament to who our Father is; willing to answer those who have the faith to ask. Our God is an approachable God and he never tires of hearing from us. He cares so deeply for His children that He hears their prayers and answers them. 

Another highlight of our Father’s character is in verse 3. Who are we that God would be mindful of us? A perfectly holy, righteous King sees you and chooses to run after you. His resume is full of rescue and deliverance. We see in Psalm 8:4 the same statement, emphasizing that our God is a personal God, desiring a relationship with us regardless of what we have done. 

While God lovingly chases after David, in return, David walks near to God as he navigates his fear of the enemy. The glue of their relationship is consistent communication. David, in boldness and faith, asks God to bless the people around him. He prays against the enemy, that God would scatter them. The victory in His name moved David to sing a new song. God had been faithful to lead David through battles and David had been faithful to look to God, recognizing that He is where his help comes from. Our God is trustworthy. He fulfills His promises to us. He is our rock and fortress, and an ever-present help in time of trouble (Psalm 46:1). And, on top of all of that, He delights in having a relationship with us. 

When was the last time you felt thirsty? Maybe it was after a long workout. Maybe it was from spending a few too many hours in the sun. When we’re thirsty, almost nothing else seems to matter. Food doesn’t sound appetizing. Our minds are less sharp. Even sitting down to rest doesn’t sound relaxing until we’re able to quench our need for water. Thirst overtakes our desires and our focus.

In verse 6, David says, “… my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” The same word used for “thirsty” in this verse is translated as “weary” or “faint” throughout the Old Testament* (Blue Letter Bible). David knows his need for God to save him from judgment. He is desperate for God to come near and rescue him from his sinfulness. In his weakness, he turns again to the only One who can satisfy his thirst. He knows where to turn because he has seen God’s faithfulness before (Psalm 143:5). David’s thirst for God is recorded all throughout the Psalms. He knows what it is like to be thirsty, and he knows what it is like for God to satisfy him (Psalm 42:1, Psalm 63:1-5, Psalm 84:2).

Whether we recognize our need for God each day or not, it’s always there. It underlies every desire we have and every attempt to satisfy ourselves with anything other than Jesus. But in His faithfulness, that is exactly what He gives us – more of Himself. In John 4:14, Jesus says, “But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.” John 7:37 says, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” Jesus tells us again and again that He will satisfy our thirst, and He has freely given us Himself.

Maybe our thirst is God’s call to our hearts, reminding us of our need for God and drawing us into His presence. When we are thirsty and feel the weight of our weakness, let it bring us back to Him. When we are filled to overflowing, let us pour out praise to Him. In all situations, let us turn to God and let Him be glorified through us.

*H5889 – ʿāyēp̄ – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (kjv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 28 September 2021.

We know two important facts about Psalm 142 from the outset; first, it is historically attributed to King David, whom we read about in 1st and 2nd Samuel. Knowing who David is and the deep intimacy of his relationship with the Father as a “man after God’s own heart,” can help us get inside David’s head as he calls out to God. This psalm is typically associated with the period found in 1 Samuel 22 where David hides in the cave of Adullam from a disgraced Saul—up until this point in the narrative, likely the lowest point in David’s life. 

Secondly, we know that Psalm 142 is a maskil. While scholars aren’t absolutely certain what this word means in Hebrew, it’s clear based on the psalms that are labeled accordingly that it refers to a kind of contemplative or meditative psalm, often designed to impart a principle to the reader. David learned difficult lessons hiding in a cave on his knees, and in this maskil, seems to write to instruct others in how to cry out in similarly difficult situations.

This psalm is a powerful offering for the one who sits in the midst of loneliness and isolation. In a generation that is identifying more than ever before as exceedingly alone, David reminds us that we have a sure and steady comfort in the person of Jesus, a tender friend and willing lover of our souls who will “Listen to [our] cry” and “set [us] free from [our] prison.”  David’s words could not be clearer—he is lost, alone and feels as though he has no one he can rely on, so he cries out to God, begging Him to meet him in a dark, dirty cave in the wilderness. As 1 and 2 Samuel go on to tell us, God answers the prayer of David, and He wants to answer us as well when we find ourselves alone in the caves of our lives crying out to Him.

Psalm 141 is a psalm of lament, meant to express deep sorrow, grief, struggle, or regret. The psalmist (David) lays out troubling situations to the Lord and follows with a request for His divine help. 

This lament is from the heart of a faithful, humble man who is calling for protection and help, praying that he would not compromise in the face of “evildoers” (v. 4).  It’s clear he is passionate in his lament, and one can’t help but wonder if the modern Christian has lost this sense of sorrow and grief towards sin and temptation. Have we become so jaded by our own sin and so absorbed by our own pleasure, that we fail to pray with such intensity? Notice how the psalmist pleads with God to “come quickly” and hear him in his distress.  

He compares his prayers to that of incense, which was a common practice in Scripture. We read about Aaron in the book of Exodus who started his day with incense and in Revelation 5, we see the creatures surround the throne of God with “golden bowls full of incense as part of their worship.” Today, the closest we come to experiencing the aroma of incense is the vapor from our essential oils running through a diffuser. The true and better incense offered today are our heartfelt prayers rising up to God as a strong, pleasing aroma to Him. 

Like all of us today, the psalmist knew his words could cause him to fall into sin, so he asks God in verses 3-4 to guard his mouth, watch over his lips, and protect his heart from wicked deeds. And if that’s not clear enough, he asks that God would “not let me eat their (evildoers) delicacies.” This should be that moment when we follow in our own lament and mirror the psalmist’s simple, yet profound prayer. Raising up our cries to God as incense, with hands lifted as though we are reaching to the heavens. Pleading with white hot intensity that our very words and intentions lead us not into sinful delicacies offered by the world. That’s a prayer of lament not heard often in our modern age.

And when your prayer of lament finds it’s ending, conclude with verse 8 which declares that; “my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord; in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.” Amen.

David’s self-awareness of the true enemy stands out in this passage. His plea with God is clear in his desperate language, “deliver me, preserve me, guard me [from evil, wicked, and violent men].” Our culture today minimizes the idea of a true enemy while maximizing the small offenses. We often act as if we are on a playground rather than a battlefield. This passage reminds us that the enemy of our souls is after us. He has hidden traps for us, spread out nets, and set out snares all in hopes to bait us into sin. These traps, nets, and snares look different in each of our lives. These are the things we hold onto white knuckled , that we idolize, and look to to tell us our worth.

David’s response to this stress is prayer and communication with God. David isn’t seeking to be right, he is seeking righteousness. He is striving for the enemy to be defeated, not for his own gain or self-preservation, but for the Kingdom of God to be advanced. In verse 9 and 10 we see how seriously he takes his opponent and how desperately David desires for evil to be demolished. In today’s world we often tolerate or minimize the work of the evil one. Our prayer should be the same as David- that evil would be defeated and that justice would prevail. David was confident that the Lord would defend His people who were being afflicted. 

We try to manipulate God into aligning Him with our political party or supporting our social justice agenda, when, in reality, the battle belongs to God and justice is His. He is righteous, and  just, and we’d be wise to align our hearts with His rather than trying to manipulate Him into our small offenses and entitlements. 

Imagine what our world would look like if our posture was the same as David’s. Our hearts would be surrendered to the only One who sits on a throne of righteousness and justice (Psalm 89:14). Our minds would be committed to memorizing His words (Psalm 119:110). Our wills would be submitted to His agenda and plan (Romans 12:2).