October 30 - Psalm 145

October 30 - Psalm 145:1-21

This is the only Psalm that begins with "A Psalm of Praise" in its title. It is also an acrostic Psalm, each verse beginning (in Hebrew) with a successive letter of the alphabet. Now, our version is actually missing a verse - one of the letters. But, when the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, the missing letter and its verse were there. The Scrolls also incorporated the phrase ""Blessed be the Lord and blessed be his holy name" after each verse. This means that this Psalm was used as a hymn of praise with a call and response to the congregation.

Psalm 145:3-9 tell of the greatness of the Lord: his works, his mighty acts, his majesty, his great deeds, his abundant goodness, his righteousness, his grace and compassion. For all these things ,"All you have made will praise you, O Lord; your saints will extol you." (Psalm 145:10)

We see the Psalmist cry out with praise to God's everlasting kingdom. He is faithful to all his promises and cares for his entire creation. In Psalm 145:17-20, we read about the Lord who is righteous and loving, near to all. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him, saves those who cry out to them. He watches over all who love him.

The final verse of this Psalm closes with the words from the first verse.

Psalm 145:1 - I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.

Psalm 145:21 - My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.