Refine Women’s Ministry Psalm 145: An Alphabet of Praise April 28, 2021 by Kim Peelen

“The world, during a time of adversity, speaks of “providence” with a total lack of understanding. They dethrone God, who is the living, guiding Sovereign of the universe, to some inanimate, dead abstraction. What they call “providence” they see as occurrences of fate, reducing God from His position as our acting, powerful, and personal Jehovah” (Streams in the Desert, p. 166).

What a profound truth this is! By NOT ascribing to God His rightful supreme place as Creator and Sustainer of all things and events, one is guilty of dethroning Him, belittling Him, even denying Him. Even the most dedicated follower of Christ can become susceptible to such neglectful or even erroneous thinking. But thankfully, God provides an amazing remedy to keep our fickle human hearts and minds from slipping into this complacent, disrespectful attitude. The . It is the prayer book of God’s people to instruct and model holy worship as we strive to be faithful to the commands of Scripture while maintaining hope for the future Messianic Kingdom. The 150 prayers guide the faithful believer through life’s variety of struggles and triumphs while steadfastly proclaiming that God sovereignly controls the universe – even evil and injustice - and is the only one worthy of devotion and praise. No matter how deep the trouble or joyous the celebration, The Psalms have a song to share.

A quick overview of our semester: * and 2 introduce the two main themes of the Book of Psalms: Two Paths/Two People – the Blessed and the Wicked; and the Invincible Kingdom of God’s Messiah. *Psalm 90 and 91 – the oldest psalms penned by Moses – describes God as the dwelling place for His people, offering protection, provision, and salvation in Him alone. * describes King ’s preparation for battle by humbling asking the Lord to help his army defeat the enemies of the Sovereign Lord God. A Battle Hymn. * Psalm 40 David declares once again his helplessness against his sin and enemies, and returns to his only hope - the LORD, his help and his deliverer. * Psalm 33 is an anonymous praise hymn, giving glory to the Sovereign Lord of history and creation. * Psalm 139 is David’s beautiful poem in which he adores God for His amazing attributes, His wisdom, and HIs greatness. * is a personal song of thanksgiving and trust as David faces relentless pursuit by Saul. This poem declares God as his true anchor and hope. * Psalms 120-134 - The Songs of Ascent –songs for traveling to Jerusalem for 3 annual festivals, encouraging them on the journey so they can begin the celebration in Zion. * Psalm 77, of Asaph, expresses deep doubts during prolonged suffering, but eventually turns to the only source of hope - faith in God and His Sovereign care. * Psalm 46, of Korah, is a psalm of holy confidence that declares God as our refuge and strength. He alone is Who we need and all we need.

1 Today we conclude our study with Psalm 145 that Alec Motyer eloquently describes: As an alphabet of praise, or an ‘alphabetic acrostic’, the successive verses take in turn the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The letter nun is absent. Most would say that it has been lost in transmission and must be supplied from available sources (see NIV, ESV). It is equally possible to substantiate from the Psalms that there was a distinct literary form which we may call ‘the broken acrostic’, in which, for whatever reason, the poet felt that completeness could not or should not be attempted. One can well imagine David in Psalm 145 concluding that the praises of God are illimitable, running beyond human scope to itemize. If ever a psalm can be called an ‘outpouring’ it is Psalm 145, a river in spate of the attributes of Yahweh. It is best read like that (p. 412).

Psalm 145 is in the fifth book that corresponds to Deuteronomy (the Second Law) and proclaims to the exiled believer that God hears His people and that the Messianic King will judge and defeat evil and establish His Kingdom forever. Its songs primarily praise God (rather than lament the evil in the world) while the followers of Yahweh faithfully look forward to God re-establishing His Kingdom on earth - returning to the Garden of Eden where mankind dwells in perfect fellowship with God.

“Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song,” Charles H. Spurgeon rightly declares. The Book of Psalms provides an exquisite model for the believer to adore, magnify, and pursue the glory of God by offering perpetual praise to His glorious Name. Psalm 145 summons every believer to practice unending praise to the Sovereign Lord God and is the last song of David’s. “As the author of half the , as the “sweet singer of Israel”, as a talented musician, and most significantly as a “man after God’s own heart”, David becomes in essence the worship leader of the entire Bible. He becomes our prayer coach as he models a high view of God through his beautiful communication skills. The heading of Psalm 145 reads, “of praise” or “a psalm of praise,” the only psalm with such a designation. While the entire Book of Psalms is praise, this psalm most especially, is the clearest praise of all. David saved his best for last. As you examine this precious prayer, keep in mind that praising and practicing the greatness of God should be the primary passion of God’s people all day, every day” (Lawson, p. 357).

Group Discussion: The letter nun after v. 13 is omitted. Hebrew letter is in parenthesis (Alec Motyer); I underlined the word corresponding to that Hebrew letter.

Psalm 145 Of Praise, of David.

1 I will extol You, my God, O King, (Aleph) And I will bless Your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless You, (Beth) And I will praise Your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, (Gimel) And His greatness is unsearchable.

Q. 1 What does David promise God in v. 1 and 2?

2 Q. 2 Based on v. 3, how can David’s commitment to every day bless God be possible – will he run out of reasons to praise the LORD?

4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, (Daleth) And shall declare Your mighty acts. 5 On the glorious splendor of Your majesty (He) And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate. 6 Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, (Waw) And I will tell of Your greatness. 7 They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness (Zayin) And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.

Q. 3 In these verses, what does David emphasize about God (look for repeating words or phrases)?

Q. 4 Share an example of God’s abundant goodness in your life – one that you can pass onto the next generation.

8 The LORD is gracious and merciful; (Cheth) Slow to anger and great in lovingkindness. 9 The LORD is good to all, (Teth) And His mercies are over all His works. 10 All Your works shall give thanks to You, O LORD, (Yodh) And Your godly ones shall bless You. 11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom (Kaph) And talk of Your power; 12 To make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts (Lamedh) And the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, (Mem) And Your dominion [endures] throughout all generations.

Q. 5 In verses 8 and 9, what quality of the LORD governs all His works?

Q. 6 In verse 10 - 12, what is the purpose of God’s mighty acts? What is my role in this?

3 14 The LORD sustains all who fall (Samech) And raises up all who are bowed down. 15 The eyes of all look to You, (Ayin) And You give them their food in due time. 16 You open Your hand (Pe) And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

Q 7 Discuss how the Lord cares for those who hope in him [eyes of all who look to You}.

17 The LORD is righteous in all His ways (Tsadhe) And kind in all His deeds. 18 The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, (Ooph) To all who call upon Him in truth. 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; (Resh) He will also hear their cry and will save them. 20 The LORD keeps all who love Him, (Shin) But all the wicked He will destroy.

Q 8 David continues to offer reasons to praise the Lord – what can the person who calls upon Him in truth expect from the Lord?

21 My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, (Tau) And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

Q 9 David completes his song by repeating his opening phrase, I will bless Your name forever and ever, but then ends with what declaration?

Q 10 Discuss how the local church can apply David’s call for all flesh to bless His holy name forever and ever. How can individual believers do this?

SUMMARY:

Before reviewing Psalm 145, we will rewatch The BibleProject: Overview of Psalms as a summary of our study.

4 Psalm 145:1-3: David opens (and closes v. 21) his prayer with the fixed commitment to bless Your name forever and ever. 2 Every day I will bless [barak] You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. ‘Barak’ means to ‘bend the knee or give a blessing to’. The term ‘Your name’ encompasses all that represents God’s holy character and essence. This vow of praise is not an impulsive, fleeting idea, but is a purposeful resolution to carry it out in this present life, as a prelude to the endless, daily praise that will be offered in heaven. David’s determined intention to praise the LORD every day is possible because His greatness is unsearchable – he will never exhaust reasons for his adoration and praise to Yahweh. David implores us to have the same dedication to praise God for His greatness.

Verses 4-7 David next emphasizes God’s mighty acts and greatness – 4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. It is the privilege and responsibility for each generation of believers to offer their personal praise to God to the next generation for what He has done. This is our unique offering in praising God – do not neglect this magnificent opportunity. This praising of God through His works includes telling of His acts in human history. For example, the Psalms retell the rescue story of the Exodus over and over because it displays God’s power to overturn governments as He protects and provides for His people. Telling and retelling God’s stories instills fear and reverence in our hearts as well as the hearts of others (Lawson, p. 358).

Verses 8 – 13 David expands his adoration through the LORD’s many attributes: gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness; good to all. Additionally the works of God stir the people to give thanks to You, to speak of the glory of Your kingdom, to talk of Your power; and to make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts. Unlike human governments, kings, or rulers, David extols the permanence of God’s rule, Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion [endures] throughout all generations. God is good to all (even His enemies enjoy His common grace) and seeks the highest good of those whom He loves, His mercies are over all His works. As His saints, we are to daily make the praising and adoring God our personal joy and practice.

Verses 14 – 16 David’s imagery captures the tender, faithful love God provides to all who look to You: The LORD sustains all who fall, raises up all who are bowed down, And You give them their food in due time, You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing. God never fails to fulfill His promises, to provide for their needs, to strengthen them so they can carry heavy burdens. He may not immediately supply our need, but it is always in the proper time. His supply is not just physical, but satisfies the soul as well as gratifies and gladdens the heart.

Verses 17 – 20 Those who call upon Him in truth can be comforted that He is righteous in all His ways, kind in all His deeds; is near to all who call upon Him. God never abuses His sovereignty; it is always governed by His holy perfection. The LORD is generous to His own: fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; hears their cry and will save them. God grants true soul satisfaction to those who fear the LORD – this is the beginning of everything good in life. Finally, the LORD keeps all who love Him – as “believers keep God in their love, He keeps them by His love” (Lawson, p. 360). However, in stark contrast, But all the wicked He will destroy. As David describes two types of people in his closing of the song - the righteous who trust, delight, and obey God and the wicked who do not fear or love God – he repeats

5 the overall theme of the Psalms that was introduced in Psalm 1: 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Verse 21 David repeats his broad statement to praise Yahweh, My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD. But as he ends his praise prayer, he entreats everyone, everywhere to join in the continual chorus of praise to God because He IS WORTHY. And all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.

As the final poem in Book 5, Psalm 145 sets the stage for the crescendo of praise that concludes the psalter in Psalms 146 through 150. In musical terms, think of the 20 verses of Psalm 145 as the final verse of the final song before the coda ending (Ps 146 – 150) forms the dramatic climax to an oratorio masterpiece. [oratorio: a large-scale musical work for orchestra and voices, typically a narrative on a religious theme, performed without the use of costumes, scenery, or action. Well-known examples include Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Handel's Messiah, and Haydn's The Creation.]

How inspiring are David’s words in Psalm 145 as he offers a comprehensive catalogue of God’s amazing acts and attributes that overflow in an anthem of praise. Like David, let your soul overflow with daily awe-filled worship that celebrates the LORD’s mighty acts, His power, His goodness, His Salvation. This is our joy and duty – Yahweh’s glorious attributes are so many and varied that we continually raise our voices to praise and glorify Him.

CONCLUSION Excerpts from Streams in the Desert, April 27:

“Flowers! Easter Lilies! Speak to me this morning the same sweet lesson of immortality you have been speaking to so many sorrowing souls for years. Wise old Book! Let me read again in your pages the steady assurance that “to die is gain” (Phil 1:21). Poets! Recite for me your verses that resound the gospel of eternal life in every line. Singers! Break forth once more into hymns of joy – let me hear again my favorite resurrection songs.

“Trees, blossoms, and birds; and seas, skies, and winds- whisper it, sound it anew, sing it, echo it, let it beat and resonate through every atom and particle on earth, and let the air be filled with it. Let it be told and retold again and again, until hope rises to become conviction, and conviction becomes the certainly of knowing. Let it be told until, like Paul, even when we face our death, we will go triumphantly, with our faith secure and a peaceful and radiant expression on our face. [This is the supreme purpose of the Psalms] – to tell and tell again that Christ is alive. His body is warm. He is not the great ‘I was’ but the great ‘I am’. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! Revelation 1:18”

Do you personally know this Living One - Jesus Christ the Son of God? Do you desire the hope and help that David and the other authors of the Psalms experience? This comfort comes only through God’s Salvation in His Son. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him (Psalm 145:18). Call upon Jesus, who is perfect in His humanity and complete in satisfying

6 God’s wrath against man’s pervasive sin. He is the Savior and Shepherd to the lost, He is the steady one, the Anchor of the Soul of which Paul speaks in Hebrews 6:1. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil. Do not wait, but join with David and all the saints to praise and magnify our Great God.

HOMEWORK

1. Using Psalm 145 as a template, try to make this an alphabetic acrostic using English words. For example, verse 1 could begin with ‘Adore the Lord with me forever and ever.’

2. Continue to read the Songbook for God’s People to worship the Lord and deepen your hope for the coming Kingdom of God.

RESOURCES

BibleProject.com –videos, study guides, and blogs The Psalms by the Day: A New Devotional Translation, by Alec Motyer, 2016 Holman Commentary: Psalm 76-150, by Steven J. Lawson Streams in the Desert, edited by L. B. Cowman, 1997

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