Praise is not optional for the believer — it is the God-given prescription for a grateful heart.
“I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.” Psalm 145:1
David was a man who had known both victory and defeat. He was no stranger to joy, yet he was well acquainted with sorrow. At times, his life served as a powerful spiritual example; at other times, it was marred by sin and poor choices. Still, through it all, David experienced the goodness, grace, mercy, and long-suffering of God.
Because David understood how good God had been to him — and how undeserved those blessings were — his heart was moved to praise. Psalm 145 gives us insight into how David praised God and why his praise mattered so deeply.
DAVID’S PRAISE WAS PERSONAL
v.1 — “I will extol thee, my God, O king…”
The words “I” and “my” are unmistakable. David was not content to let someone else magnify God on his behalf. His praise was personal. He knew God for himself, and he praised God for himself. Every believer ought to have a personal life of praise — not borrowed, not secondhand, but flowing from their own walk with God.
DAVID’S PRAISE WAS PERSISTENT
v.2 — “Every day will I bless thee…”
David did not praise God occasionally or only when circumstances were favorable. His praise was consistent. Every daywas an opportunity to bless the Lord. For the believer, praise should not be seasonal or situational — our lives should be marked by a steady rhythm of gratitude and worship.
DAVID’S PRAISE WAS PURPOSED
v.3 — “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised…”
David knew exactly who he was praising and why. His praise was directed toward the Lord alone. It was not about self-expression, fleshly excitement, or drawing attention to himself. True praise magnifies God, not man. When praise is right, all focus rests on the greatness of the Lord.
DAVID’S PRAISE WAS A PROGRESSION
v.4 — “One generation shall praise thy works to another…”
Praise is meant to be passed on. When one generation openly declares the goodness and mighty acts of God, the next generation learns who God is and what He can do. Our children are listening. The younger generation is watching. When we brag on our God, we teach them how to trust Him for themselves.
ILLUSTRATION
At Oxford University, a young John Wesley once spoke with a poor porter who owned only one coat and didn’t even have a bed. Despite his poverty, the man was joyful and thankful. Wesley, immature at the time, jokingly asked, “And what else do you thank God for?”
The porter replied with sincere joy, “I thank Him that He has given me my life and being, a heart to love Him, and above all a constant desire to serve Him.”
Wesley was deeply moved. In that moment, he recognized what true praise and gratitude looked like.
