Psalm 145

Psalm 145

Super Fan

I. We must praise God forever because He’s infinitely awesome; He must be praised for His greatness (Vv. 1-7)

a. King David was one of the most powerful men on earth, yet he submitted to God’s Lordship and praised Him enthusiastically has his King. He didn’t worship God because of great visions and miraculous encounters with God in his life, but because he saw God’s power and glory in His creation and His faithfulness to His Word. God was true to His nature and character at all times throughout David’s life, so David resolved to praise God’s Name every day of his life and even past the end of his life, by reflecting on who God is. (Vv. 1-2; Ps. 8:1-4; 19:1, 7; 33:1-6; John 20:28)

b. We must praise God because He’s greater than we can even comprehend. His works, of creation and especially salvation through Christ, are so abundantly great that we can’t possibly keep them to ourselves. So we must share His abundant greatness with each generation, continually piling up praise for Him higher and higher in every generation. (Vv. 3-7; Exod. 3:15; Deut. 6:4-9; Judg. 2:10; Job 5:8-9; 9:1-10; 11:7; Ps. 34:11; 71:18; 78:6; 79:13; 102:18; Isa. 40:28; Rom. 11:33-36; Eph. 3:8; 2 Tim. 2:2)

II. We must praise God forever because He’s infinitely awesome; He must be praised for His graciousness (Vv. 8-13)

a. As David piles up praise for God’s unfathomable greatness, He is overcome by God’s great grace and mercy, and God’s own statement of who He is from Scripture flows out of him. God is the all Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He’s infinitely powerful to do as He pleases, and indescribable and incalculable in His glory. But the more we learn of who He is, the more we must praise Him for the reality of His grace, mercy, patience, and compassion. Even in our imperfect sinfulness, He’s not only still good to us, but always good to us. Even in our hard-heartedness and sinful rebellion, God so love the world that He sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him won’t perish, but have eternal life as those who receive Him and are given the right to be children of God. He is good to all, even those who reject Him now and go their own way, but His Kingdom and His rule are eternal, and all will ultimately bow to Him. So why not praise Him now and enjoy His great goodness and compassion. (Vv. 8-13; Exod. 34:6; Neh. 9:17; Ps. 2:1-4; 86:15; 103:8, 19; 110:1; Dan. 4:3, 30-34; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; John 1:12-13; 3:16; Rom. 3:23; 5:6-11; 6:23; 8:19-23, 28; Eph. 2:1-9; Phil. 2:9-11; Col. 1:13-14; 1 Pet. 2:9-12; Rev. 5:9-10)

III. We must praise God forever because He’s infinitely awesome; He must be praised for His faithfulness (Vv. 14-16)

a. As David reflects on who God is, He’s reminded to praise God for His great faithfulness which always provides for the just and unjust alike. He provides light, life, and rain for even those who reject Him; and for those who belong to Him, He’s faithful to provide in every situation. When we stumble, He picks us up; when we’re hungry, He feeds us; when we lift our voices to Him, He’s faithful to hear and respond; and when our load in life mounts up becomes unbearable, He lightens our load and gives us rest for our souls. He can satisfy the desires of every living thing by merely opening His Hand! (Vv. 14-16; Ps. 81:10; 104:27-28; Isa. 55:1-2; Matt. 5:6, 45; 6:25-33; 11:28-30; Phil 4:19; 1 Pet. 5:6-7)

IV. We must praise God forever because He’s infinitely awesome; He must be praised for His righteousness (Vv. 17-20)

a. But in all of whom God is, we must continually praise Him that His righteousness and His kindness don’t contradict each other, but work equally together for our greatest good. He hears everyone one of our cries for Him to act according to His righteousness and is faithful to do so. All who turn to Him in repentant faith, trusting in Christ’s sacrifice in order to be credited with His righteousness, are made new in Him, never disappointed, and are held eternally in His care. Those who refuse His grace, doom themselves to be judged eternally according to God’s perfection. (Vv. 17-20; Exod. 34:6-7; Ps. 1:5-6; 37:4-5; John 3:17-21, 36; 10:27-29; 2 Cor. 5:17, 21; James 4:8-10; 1 John 5:11-15)

V. We must praise God forever because He’s infinitely awesome; His praise must be the legacy of our lives (v. 21)

a. Finally, David is resolved that his last words will be words of praise for God, like the words and testimony of his whole life. David saw many difficult circumstances, but he persevered by continually returning his focus to who God is in all moments. He was truly a Super Fan of God, and he invites us to make that the legacy of our lives as well, that we might rejoice in praising God forever and ever with Him and all who belong to God. (v. 21; Rev. 7:9-17; 21:1-8)