The Last Psalm Of David

Psalm 145

Today’s psalm is the last one marked in the Book of Psalms as a Psalm of David.  The Book of Psalms is not laid out in any chronological order, so this is not necessarily the last one that David wrote, but it is the last one in the book that credits him as the author.  David wrote 75 of the psalms in this book, which would be half of the psalms.  Other authors include Asaph, the Sons of Korah, Moses, Solomon, and several whose author is unknown.  This psalm of David, the great king and sweet psalmist of Israel, celebrates the King of Eternity for who He is, what He has done, and what He has promised.

In this psalm, David gives four reasons to praise the Lord.  First, David says we should be praising Him because He is great (vs. 3).  The Lord’s greatness is unsearchable.  We all know some people we might consider great, but their greatness is human and comprehensible.  Yahweh’s greatness is beyond our understanding.  The second reason is that the Lord is gracious and merciful (vs. 8-9).  He is full of compassion to all of His children, forgiving us, and showing us tender mercy.  The third reason that David gives for praising the Lord is that He sustains all those who fall (vs. 14).  When we stumble throughout life, He is there to lift us up.  Lastly, we praise the Lord because He is righteous in His ways, and kind in His deeds (vs. 17).  Everything the Lord does is right.

We all have some days when it might be a bit more difficult to feel thankful, or feel like doing much praising.  David had plenty of those days.  One way that he found helpful in having a grateful heart, and would help to bring forth praises, was to recall personal victories that God had given him.  David pondered His attributes (vs. 5).  David looked around and beheld the glory of God throughout creation.  We can do that, as well.  Focus our thoughts on Jesus, not on our problems.

Sometimes our burdens seem more than we can bear.  We wonder how we can go on.  It is at these times that we need to turn to God for help (vs. 14).  When we are bending and bowing down under our burdens, and feel we are about to fall, the Lord will uphold us and raise us up (Psalm 55:22; I Peter 5:7).  The Lord is ready to lift us up, and bear our burdens.  We just need to be willing to part with them and cast them over on to Him.

David continues on in his psalm, telling us we need to look to the Lord to provide for all of our needs (vs. 15).  When we have a need in our life, whether great or small, who are we looking towards to fulfill that need?  Are we looking at our friends or family to fulfill that need?  To our boss, our job, or to the bank?  Each of them can, and so often will fail us, whether intentionally or not.  Many of us have seen this in these last several months.  The Scriptures here instruct us that we need to turn our eyes expectantly to the Lord.  He, alone, will provide our needs.  The Lord God is our Great Provider.  We can put our hope in His great love.

Every born-again child of God has equal access to the Father in heaven (vs. 18).  Yahweh is near to His children, not some far-off distant god, like the pagan deities.  Because of Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us upon the cross, we are able, and urged to come boldly to God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).  There we will find God’s mercy and grace to help us.

Throughout this psalm, David lists many attributes and promises of God.  When God makes a promise to us, it will be accomplished.  He does not lie (Numbers 23:19).  God is trustworthy.  We can count on Him to fulfill His promises.  God is faithful in all that He does (Deuteronomy 7:9).  For that we can join King David and praise His Name for ever and ever.