“I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.” (Psalm 145:1)

Forever begins today in the place where regular routines pile up like day‐old dishes. When I pause to wonder what God’s will is or where he wants me occupied, I have only to settle my sight on one of David’s songs to hear God’s strong voice serenading the plan into my ear.

I hardly begin reading Psalm 145 before he directs me to what is clearly sweet and good. “Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever” (Psalm 145:2). Surprisingly, I am to bless the Creator, and not the other way around. Scripture invites me to bring him the blessing of adoration on a daily basis, when it rolls out easily and when that might be the last thing on my mind.

Why should I take this seriously? The third verse gives an answer: “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.” The limitless grandeur of our God cannot be measured and it simply demands that we take notice and linger long in response to his perfect character. That might take a while. It’s no wonder “every day” is part of the equation.

Part of my assignment is to pass on this awareness to those growing up within the safety of my arms. “One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:4). One of my missions is faithfully to recommend to those in my care the pursuit of the Living God. I get the chance to brag about Almighty God to the children listening in.

Where should my thoughts dwell when future fears and present irritations commandeer my mind? David answers, “On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate” (Psalm 145:5). If my thinking runs on the course of his splendid, glorious ways, my life cannot help but soar beyond the tedious and the tyrannical.

When I are tempted to believe the Lord is far removed from my everyday concerns, that my struggles are inconsequential on his scale, the shepherd king reminds me, “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made” (Psalm 145:8-­‐9).

Gracious and merciful, patient, loving and good. That’s just a sliver of the character of the God who calls me his. “All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!” (Psalm 145:10).

Me, too, Lord. I join the chorus of the saints who bring you praise today ­‐ practice, I imagine, for what I will be doing forevermore.