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PSALM

CHAPTER 144

1 A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: 2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

David gives God the glory for teaching him to be a warrior. God chose to whom David would be born. Born of Jesse, David was a shepherd; hardly a warrior. But God sent a lion and a bear to harm the sheep, and David had to LEARN to fight. Therefore, he was unafraid to face Goliath (the giant) in battle.

God is our "goodness." We have none of our own. God is also our PROTECTOR, and we should TRUST Him to guide us in every step of life.

If any authority over people is given to us, it is given by the Lord. There's a song that tells about David. It says, "When others saw a shepherd boy, God saw a KING!"

3 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! 4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. 5 Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. 6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them. 7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children; 8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

Who are we that God should love us? We are God's creation, but we have all sinned and come short of the purpose for which God created us.

Our lives are cut short by the Lord because of our sin (verse 4). THANK GOD! He will not allow us to live in sinfulness forever! He offers eternal salvation and complete restoration to our purpose. That purpose is to PRAISE HIM and have genuine FELLOWSHIP with Him.

David cries out for God to DELIVER him from a world of sinfulness and vanity (verses 5-8). We should all realize that this world is far less than what it should be because of the sinfulness of man. And we should desire that God would deliver us from our own sinfulness to our higher purpose.

9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. 10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. 11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: 12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: 13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets: 14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets. 15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.

David was a man of war. But David was also a man of praise for God. He delighted in writing "new" songs with which to praise God. I have heard many testimonies from new Christians who have written songs to praise God. It is a desire within us, when we receive God's pardon and salvation, to SING AND PRAISE HIM!

David acknowledges God's Divine auhority over all the earth (verse 10). It is God Who determines the leadership of countries (see Daniel 5:19 among many others).

Only if God will "deliver" us (verse 11) from our own sinfulness and the sinfulness of the world, can we have a "blessed" life.

David calls upon God to keep him from those who are bent on self destruction (verse 11). And he expresses his desire to have strong sons, faithful daughteers (verse 12).

David also realizes that when a person is truly saved, he is content to be in whatever state God would place him (see Philippians 4:11).

Though God does not offer earthly prosperity, He will certainly help us learn how to make use of wise judgment and we will be more prosperous because of it.

Indeed, "happy is that people...whose God is the Lord!" (verse 15).

PSALM 145

1 David's Psalm of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

God is WORTHY of our praise! It is our joy to praise Him for granting us our personhood. If God had not caused us to be created, we would be NOTHING! And if God had allowed us to live in sinfulness, we would not know His fellowship!

God is "greatly to be praised!"

4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. 5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. 6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. 7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

It is by praise that one generation tells the next of God. Jesus said if He were "lifted up," He would draw all men to Himself (John 12:32).

Let us praise God "abundantly" (verse 7), so that others may know His salvation!

8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. 9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. 10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee. 11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power; 12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom. 13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. 14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. 15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. 16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. 18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. 19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. 20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Here is HOW to praise the Lord!

Tell of His grace and compassion for the lost (verse 8). Tell of the glory of His eternal kingdom (verses 9 & 13). Tell how He has intervened in history and helped mankind (verses 10-12). Tell how God will save those who surrender to him (verse 14). Tell how God is perfect (verse 17). Tell how God is NEAR to all who call upon Him for mercy and salvation (verse 18). Tell how God KEEPS those who surrender to Him for an inheritance of ETERNAL joy (verse 20).

YES!! Let us PRAISE HIM!

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