Psalm 145

Our great, praiseworthy God!

David begins this song with an exuberant declaration of praise for our God.  He is worthy of praise forever and ever, and indeed it will be so!  "His greatness is unsearchable."   We will never know Him fully, or comprehend Him while here on this earth, but we can know His vastness, and be aware that we can't fathom the depths of His greatness.

His greatness is known from generation to generation, for one tells the other of His mighty works and deeds.

His Character is praised in verse 8-9 "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.  The Lord is good to all and His mercy is over all that he has made."

What other god is given such praise?  What other god of the pagans has such relationship with his people?

All of His mighty works make known to mankind Who he is.  Indeed his kingdom is forever, and cannot be moved.

He "upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down." In other words, He is praised because He "is compassionate toward the weak and restores the erring" (RSB notes v.14).

While the eyes of all on earth are dependent on Him for all things (and most do not even realize it!), he has a special relationship with those who call on Him in truth (with a proper fear and understanding of Him and His greatness, and us, in our weakness).

He provides for all, but "he is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth."
"He fulfills the desire of those who fear him, He also hears their cry and saves them.  The Lord preserves all who love Him......."

This is not prosperity gospel.   I believe that when He promises to fulfill our desires, He is speaking not of whims and wishes necessarily, although He is gracious and kind to do so.  No, He is promising to fill our desire for more of Him......our desire to know Him more, and be like Him. He leads us, and guides us, protects and saves us, for when we love Him, that is our desire.

But note:   the last part of the sentence is this....."....but all the wicked He will destroy."

For those who don't love Him, or fear Him, or wait for Him, or long for Him, the kindness of His general grace will end at some point in time as we know it.

I agree with David....."My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord."