Nine times in Psalm 145, David used the word, “all” to describe the totality of God’s attributes and their far-reaching impact. These attributes fall into two sets, as follows.
The Lord is:
- Good to all (v. 9a),
- Compassionate on all he has made (v. 9b),
- Faithful to all his promises (v. 13c), and
- Loving toward all he has made (v. 13d).
In addition he:
- Upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down (v. 14),
- Is righteous in all his ways (v. 17a),
- Is near to all who call upon him in truth (v. 18a), and
- Watches over all who love him (v. 20a).
How glorious to consider that all these general statements apply individually also—to you and me.
With a bit of effort, these truths can be turned into personal praise:
My heart sings for joy, Father.
You are so good to me (v. 9a)—blessings abound.
Even at this moment I revel in your gently falling rain,
The sound of Steve puttering in the kitchen
(Thank you for a husband who likes to cook!),
And three year-old Elena* on the floor,
Writing a story about making pancakes with Mommy.
Your goodness is on display, even in small moments.
I praise you for your compassion (v. 9b),
Expressed through a doctor who, just last Saturday,
Offered consult on a weekend,
And even checked in on Monday morning.
Your compassion is evident in the kindness of strangers as well.
Just today a driver graciously gave me
the right-of-way on a narrow street,
Bestowing respect, favor, and a smile.
How thankful I am for your many promises in scripture (v. 13c)–
Over 2,300 statements of hope and encouragement–
Promises sometimes fulfilled in amazing and creative ways–
Classic promises like Romans 8:28 and 1 Peter 5:7,
Realized as Steve and I moved to different communities
And embarked upon new chapters of our lives.
Personal promises, like Ruth 2:11-12 and John 13:7—
Surprisingly well-suited to the moment.
I praise you for your loving nature (v. 13d),
Your attentiveness and favor expressed through
The cheer of bird song in the morning,
The grace and friendliness of people at church,
The inspiration of your Word,
The redemption from hurtful experiences of the past,
The peace of mind and joy of the Spirit
You infuse into each day.
And thank you for the sweet comfort of your presence (v. 18a)
That fills me with delight.
How precious are those times when
I sense your nearness,
When praise songs and scripture
Bring tears that clear my eyes
For the sight of you in your grace
And make the vision of your favor more precious (1).
Every day I want to praise you (v. 2).
You are pure goodness,
Manifested in infinite power,
Giving the light of truth, wisdom, and discernment.
Your glorious majesty reigns supreme over all creation.
And most amazing of all:
Everything you are, you offer to your children.
You are always seeking to manifest yourself to us.
Words fail to praise you adequately.
But, oh, how I yearn to do so!
*Our granddaughter
(1) based on a Charles Spurgeon quote
(Art & photo credits: www.dailyverses.net; http://www.pinterest.com; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.strongtowns.org; http://www.pinterest.com (4).
