The Ultimate Joy and Purpose of Man (Psalm 145:1)

"I will extol you my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever" - Psalm 145:1

A few weeks ago I began a study of Psalm 145 out of a desire to maintain and grow in awe of God. It was Dr. Paul David Tripp who led me to this Psalm as rich text and source of admiration and wonder. Over the past couple of weeks I have been meditating on this Psalm, verse by verse, word by word, and allowing my mind and heart to soak in this song of joy and awe of God.

 

This Psalm is one of the acrostic Psalms - each line begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This is characteristic of Hebrew poetry, but it also serves to memorize the text. This poetic psalm was likely one that was memorized by most Jews and they used the acrostic to help their memory. This is not an uncontrolled and thoughtless pouring out of thoughts and feelings in a matter of seconds resulting in the Psalm written. Rather, it is likely that it was carefully worded, ordered, and thought through to maintain the integrity of the acrostic while keeping a logical flow. 

 

This first line of the Psalm both introduces and summarizes the heart of David. He writes this line as the thesis and intent of his song. To extol the Lord, and to bless His name forever and ever - that is his desire, and it is out of that longing and with that pursuit that he pens the text. There is a resolve in his heart, a strong desire that he would continue to delight in the Lord in adoration for the rest of his days. 

David refers to God as a king, as his king. David was probably writing this line during his reign as king in Israel. Nevertheless, he is quick to see his own kingship and dominion over the nation as nothing more than his service and devotion to the real King and Ruler of Israel and the entire universe.

 

To extol God is to praise His name highly. It is to see the majesty of God and to rightly respond in worship and adoration. This cannot be done unless one sees God first, and so, worship begins with the setting of our eyes on God, looking to Him, and beginning to understand who this being is. Meditation and quiet reflection then becomes necessary to rightly respond to God. Responding to an idea, or thought, or memory of who God might be will not result in any praise or adoration of the real King.

 

In the last part of the verse, David shows the devotion with which he wishes to continue to praise God - "forever and ever". This is something so great for David that he wants to follow this pattern on a daily basis. In the next verses, he will begin to unfold why anyone would desire such a devotion and why any being would be worthy of such adoration.