Go! And Praise: Living in the Presence of a Mighty God - Psalm 145
Introduction
Imagine standing at the edge of a vast canyon. The wind whispers through the cliffs, and you look down to see a river carving its way through the earth, persistent, powerful, unstoppable. You cannot stop it; you cannot contain it. And in that moment, you feel awe, humility, even reverence.
This is the kind of awe the psalmist David is inviting us to in Psalm 145. It is a call to magnify the Lord, to praise Him daily, and to declare His greatness. But David’s psalm is not just about words—it’s about relationship. It’s about recognising God’s goodness, mercy, and faithfulness, and responding with a heart fully surrendered to Him.
Today, in our Go! And… series, we will explore how we can Go! And praise the Lord in a world that often ignores His majesty, and how praising God transforms our lives today.
Psalm 145 (NLT):
1 I will exalt you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.
4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
5 They speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They tell about the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your mighty deeds.
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
9 The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.
10 All your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will bless you.
11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell about your mighty power,
12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.
14 The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath the weight of oppression.
15 The eyes of all look to you in hope, and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He will fulfil the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries and saves them.
20 The Lord protects all who love him, but he destroys the wicked.
21 I will praise the Lord! All people will join me in praising him—yes, forever!
Point 1 – Magnify the Lord Daily (Psalm 145:1–3)
“I will exalt 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. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.”
David begins with a personal commitment: he will exalt God. The Hebrew word for “exalt” here is ruwm, meaning to lift up, to make high. It is an active, intentional lifting of God above all else in our lives.
David, the shepherd-king, understood daily dependence on God. His psalm was both a personal devotion and a communal encouragement for Israel to see God’s greatness as the foundation of worship.
In a world where schedules are busy and stress is relentless, praising God can easily slip from our routine. Yet, the psalm reminds us: every day is an opportunity to lift God high. Whether it’s in traffic, at work, or at home, we can “bless His name.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NLT): “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Hebrews 13:15 (NLT): “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.”
Max Lucado writes, “When you focus on God’s goodness, your heart overflows with praise, and worry loses its grip.”
Imagine a lighthouse shining every night, never failing to point the way. Our daily praise is like that light—guiding our hearts and reminding us that God’s greatness never wavers.
Point 2 – God’s Kingdom Is Compassionate and Just (Psalm 145:8–9, 17–19)
“The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation... The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He will fulfil the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries and saves them.”
Here, David gives us God’s moral character. The Hebrew hesed, translated as “unfailing love,” is covenantal loyalty—God’s steadfast commitment to His people.
God’s righteousness and mercy are inseparable. Unlike human rulers, God’s justice is tempered by love, and His love never overrides His justice.
Exodus 34:6–7 (NLT): God reveals Himself as merciful, gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Luke 18:7–8 (NLT): God hears the cries of His people, and justice will prevail.
In our fractured world, people long for fairness and mercy. God calls us to mirror His compassion in relationships, workplaces, and communities.
John Piper says, “God’s mercy is the safety net for the soul; it never fails, and it saves even the sinner who turns to Him.”
Picture a firefighter who risks life and limb to save a child from a burning building. God’s compassion is infinitely greater—He rescues us from the eternal flames of sin through Jesus Christ.
Point 3 – Proclaim God’s Mighty Works (Psalm 145:4–7, 10–12)
“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty... All your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will bless you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell about your mighty power.”
David encourages testimony and teaching. The Hebrew praise (halal) involves not just singing, but celebrating God’s acts.
God’s works reveal His character. By recounting His mighty deeds—creation, deliverance, miracles—we remind ourselves and others of His faithfulness.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NLT): Teach God’s commands diligently to your children.
Acts 1:8 (NLT): We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses “to the ends of the earth.”
Every believer is called to share the Gospel. Stories of God’s work—personal testimony, answered prayer, lives transformed—become instruments of praise.
Charles Stanley states, “The most powerful evangelism is a life lived under God’s blessing and mercy. Others notice.”
Think of a ripple in a pond—one stone creates waves that touch the farthest corners. Sharing God’s mighty works has a multiplying impact, touching hearts we may never meet.
Point 4 – The Gospel Center: Jesus Christ (Psalm 145:13–14)
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath the weight of oppression.”
The everlasting kingdom points to the eternal reign of Jesus Christ, God’s promised Messiah. In Him, God’s promises find fulfilment.
Luke 1:32–33 (NLT): Jesus will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever.
Romans 5:8 (NLT): God demonstrates His love through Christ, dying for the ungodly.
1 Peter 2:24 (NLT): Jesus bore our sins so that we might live for righteousness.
The lifting of the fallen is ultimately fulfilled in Christ’s atoning work. Through His death and resurrection, the oppressed sinner is restored to God.
Salvation is not earned; it is received. Our response to Jesus’ sacrifice is faith, repentance, and obedience.
R.T. Kendall writes, “The resurrection guarantees that no sin or shame can hold a believer down. Christ lifts us, and we rise in Him.”
Picture a lifeboat in a stormy sea. The waves are relentless, threatening to overwhelm. Christ throws the rope of salvation, and all who take hold are rescued and set on solid ground.
Point 5 – Call to Praise, Faith, and Obedience (Psalm 145:21)
“I will praise the Lord! All people will join me in praising him—yes, forever!”
David concludes with a communal vision. Personal faith should lead to corporate worship and obedience.
Praise is a lifestyle, not a moment. In our homes, workplaces, and churches, we can live in ways that magnify God’s name.
The ultimate praise comes through accepting Christ. The dead in sin are called to life; the lost are invited to salvation. Romans 10:9–10 reminds us: confess Jesus as Lord, believe in His resurrection, and be saved.
Today, if you have not placed your faith in Jesus Christ, you are invited to trust Him as Lord and Saviour. Receive His mercy, embrace His compassion, and rise from the oppression of sin into the freedom of eternal life.
Conclusion:
Go! And praise God every day. Go! And proclaim His mighty works. Go! And live in His mercy, reflecting His compassion. And go! And place your trust in Jesus Christ, the eternal King, who lifts the fallen, restores the broken, and invites all to know His everlasting love.
May the God of Psalm 145, rich in mercy and faithful in all His ways, fill your hearts with praise, your lives with His glory, and your steps with courage to proclaim His kingdom in all you do. Amen.
