The journey through the Psalms continues
For the past few months I have been praying and meditating on what it means to live a life of holiness: dedicated and consecrated to God. Reflecting on Psalm 145 has helped bring different strands together, and I have been reminded once again of God's amazing goodness - and the fact that we can never out-do God in generosity.
"All your works shall praise you O God, and all your faithful shall bless you" (v10) is both a statement of reality and a promise that I want my life to resonate - to proclaim with resounding vibrations and song, joining in the chorus of praise all creation gives!
Learning a lot from the saints, it actually dawned on me this morning that many came from devout and faith-filled families - witnessing to the psalmist exclamation that "One generation shall laud your works to another". Yet I look around the Church (both now and historically) and see a perceived separation of holiness between laity and those set apart as clergy or to the religious life. The church - the world! - needs holy men and women. We do! And we desperately need men and women responding to the call of God through holy marriages.
Jesus' call is for all to be Holy. Psalm 145 is reminding me of the good news we all need to hear - God is compassionate; He upholds those who are falling down; He is merciful and gracious; He fulfills the desires of our hearts.
This is Great News!
God gives us Himself as the grace needed to Be Holy.
We are all called, and equipped by God's grace and strength that is sufficient (albeit different than what the world sees as strength) to be a light in dark places, and encouraging and raising each other and holy families, so that our lives can resound with all creation - from generation to generation, the goodness and greatness of God!
Psalm 145 - The Greatness and Goodness of God
I will extol 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, and greatly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
and bless your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless you,
and praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall laud your works to another,
and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
and I will declare your greatness.
They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
The might of your awesome deeds shall be proclaimed,
and I will declare your greatness.
They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness,
and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all,
and his compassion is over all that he has made.
All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord,
and all your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
to make known to all people your[a] mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your[b] kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
and all your faithful shall bless you.
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and tell of your power,
to make known to all people your[a] mighty deeds,
and the glorious splendor of your[b] kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord is faithful in all his words,
and gracious in all his deeds.[c]
The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
he also hears their cry, and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
and gracious in all his deeds.[c]
The Lord upholds all who are falling,
and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you,
and you give them their food in due season.
You open your hand,
satisfying the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is just in all his ways,
and kind in all his doings.
The Lord is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desire of all who fear him;
he also hears their cry, and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,
and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
