We’re winding down our year in the Wisdom books, coming to the end of The Psalms, just five to go after today’s meditation on Psalm 145. It begins:

A SONG OF PRAISE. OF DAVID.

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. (Psalm 145.Introduction, 1, 2, ESV)

“Every day I will bless you…” That sounds like a useful habit. Daily, intentional praise.

The psalm’s emphasis is on God’s works. We’re not subscribing to a set of ideas. We worship a real God who does real work. (I wrote about that recently.) If we don’t teach ourselves and the next generation about God’s power, we and they will look for power elsewhere.

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. (Psalm 145.4, 5, ESV)

• I am praying Philippians 4.19 for a brother, a generous donor to God’s work, who has recently lost his job. He’s over 70 and isn’t hopeful that he can find another. But God works. I’ll let you know when God provides.
• I’m praying for the reunification of a couple who were together and now they’re not.
• I’m praying for effective disciple-making at two churches I’m working with. Not just talk – action!

“On your wondrous works, I will meditate.”

All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.(Psalm 145.10 – 13, ESV)

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom…” Sounds like Daniel who came later (Psalm 145 is a psalm of David).

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever. (Daniel 2.44, ESV)

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation. (Daniel 4.34, ESV)

Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6.25 – 27, ESV)

Back to Psalm 145, which closes with a promise:

• The LORD 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, but all the wicked he will destroy. (Psalm 145.18 – 20, ESV)

God will meet the needs and desires of those who “call on him.” It’s not automatic.

You do not have because you do not ask. (James 4.2, ESV)