Coffee With The Lord

My Bible reading this morning from the Psalms (Biblical poetry) – Psalm 145 – The last of the Psalms attributed to David.

After reading and reflecting on its message I gave it this title: “Laud the Lord!”

“Laud”… Not a word we use very much, but you can see the meaning on the pic… “To praise, glorify or honor.”  A person worthy of praise is referred to as “laudable” – and that certainly describes the Lord!!!

I picked up a study Bible I use (the “ESV Study Bible”) and it gave this helpful observation on Psalm 145…

“A remarkable feature of this psalm is the way it uses so many different words for “praising”: “extol” (v. 1: to tell how great God is); “bless” (vv. 1, 2, 10, 21: to speak well of God for his generosity); “praise” (vv. 2, 3, 21: to glorify God for his magnificent qualities); “commend” (v. 4: to speak highly of God); cf. “declare” (synonyms in vv. 4, 6), “meditate” (v. 5), “speak” (v. 6), “pour forth” (v. 7), “sing aloud” (v. 7), and “give thanks” (v. 10). The author has exploited all the vocabulary he can muster to describe this great activity, praising God for his greatness and goodness. Further, there are repeated terms for the enduring nature of this praise: “forever and ever” (vv. 1, 2, 21); the “generations” (vv. 4, 13); and “everlasting” (v. 13).”

Wow!  Just blows you away!!  Talk about a call to worship!!!

So here’s what I did this morning… I read through the entire Psalm slowly, reflecting on each phrase (allowing what it said to sink deeply into my mind and heart) and then letting David’s words become my words in worship to the Lord… That’s right “LAUDING THE LORD!”

So here it is from the English Standard Version… Give it a try and see if it doesn’t change your attitude and perspective!  I have a feeling you’ll be incredibly blessed and God will be glorified (Oh that’s right… “LAUDED”)!!!

Psalm 145  A Song of Praise. Of David.

¹     “I will extol 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, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

⁴     One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.

⁵     On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

⁶     They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.

⁷     They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

⁸     The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

⁹     The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

¹⁰    All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you!

¹¹    They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,

¹²    to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

¹³    Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

       [The Lord is faithful in all his words

and kind in all his works.] (In some of the ancient manuscripts, not all)

¹⁴    The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

¹⁵    The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.

¹⁶    You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.

¹⁷    The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.

¹⁸    The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

¹⁹    He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.

²⁰    The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

²¹    MY MOUTH WILL SPEAK THE PRAISE OF THE LORD, AND LET ALL FLESH BLESS HIS HOLY NAME FOREVER AND EVER!”

Come on… “LAUD THE LORD!”