By Brandon Lemons
On Sunday, we started a series called “Church on Mission,” which unpacks Friedens’ mission of “Making disciples of Jesus through UP-IN-OUT relationships.” If you missed Sunday’s sermon on “Prioritizing God,” click here to watch or listen! Throughout this series, I will write a short devotional that corresponds with the previous Sunday’s message.
Psalm 145 is a “praise psalm.” It is one of the Bible’s richest expressions of joyous praise to God. One of its unique features is that in the original language, this is an acrostic psalm. Each line begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet; thus, it essentially offers praise to God from A to Z. As scholar Adele Berlin notes, “The entire alphabet, the source of all words, is marshaled in praise of God.”
Please take a few minutes to read Psalm 145 and reflect on the questions below. As I mentioned on Sunday, note that each time you see LORD in all caps, it is the name Yahweh. Yahweh is the most intimate, personal name of God in the Old Testament.
How would you describe the psalmist’s attitude toward God in Psalm 145?
What is one verse or phrase of Psalm 145 that particularly compels you to stand in awe or gratitude toward God? Why does this grab your attention?
If you would like to take additional time to attune your heart to praising God, make a list from A to Z of aspects of God or blessings in your life that you want to praise Him for!
A prayer to pray (based on Psalm 145): My God and King, you are great and most worthy of praise. Thank you for being gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Not only have you done great things, but you are glorious and captivating in who you are. Please awaken my heart in fresh ways to your splendor and greatness, so that I will give you the praise you deserve throughout each day and joyously speak to others of your mighty works, so they, too, will praise your holy name for ever and ever. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.