In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, the Psalms offer a timeless anchor of faith and reflection. Among these sacred poems, Psalm 145 stands out as a powerful declaration of God’s greatness. Originally delivered as a sermon at Emmanuel, Billericay, on Sunday, July 5, 2020, this exploration delves into the profound depths of Psalm 145:1-13, revealing why we proclaim, “How Great Is Our God.” Like Charles Spurgeon wisely noted, the Psalms are meant to be experienced, not just studied. They resonate with the raw and unfiltered realities of life, mirroring our own struggles and triumphs. Psalm 145 offers a glimpse into the God experienced by King David, a God whose greatness is multifaceted and deeply personal. This psalm unveils five magnificent qualities: His Great Works, His Great Deeds, His Great Goodness, His Great Love, and His Great Kingdom. Let us journey into these verses and discover anew just how great our God truly is.
Image alt text: Text graphic that reads “How great is our God” in a stylized font, evoking a sense of worship and reverence.
1. Unveiling His Great Works: A Foundation of Praise (Psalm 145:1-3)
The opening verses of Psalm 145 set a resounding tone of adoration and reverence. “I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever. Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom” (Psalm 145:1-3, NIV). These are not passive acknowledgements, but active declarations of praise. The words “exalt” and “extol” speak of lifting God high, both in our hearts and in our expressions of worship. To say God is “worthy” emphasizes that this praise is not given lightly; it is profoundly deserved because of who He is and what He has done.
Verse 3 culminates with a powerful statement: “his greatness no one can fathom.” This isn’t meant to discourage us from seeking to know God, but rather to inspire awe and humility. God’s greatness is beyond our full comprehension. Just as we can marvel at the vastness of the universe or the complexity of the human body without fully grasping them, so too we can stand in awe of God’s infinite nature.
Imagine trying to describe an incredible experience – a breathtaking sunset, an awe-inspiring concert, or a moment of profound connection. Words often feel inadequate. David’s words in these opening verses capture this very sentiment. He is overflowing with praise, not for a specific act, but for the very being of God. It’s a foundational praise, acknowledging the inherent greatness that precedes and underpins all of God’s actions. This understanding of God’s great works begins with recognizing the very nature of God Himself as deserving of limitless praise.
2. Remembering His Great Deeds: Testaments Across Generations (Psalm 145:4-6)
Moving from the inherent greatness of God, Psalm 145 shifts to the manifestation of that greatness in action. “Generation after generation will commend your works; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds” (Psalm 145:4-6, NIV). Here, David emphasizes the importance of remembering and recounting God’s deeds throughout history.
These verses highlight a crucial aspect of faith: the intergenerational transmission of God’s story. Each generation has a responsibility to “commend your works” and “tell of your mighty acts” to the next. This isn’t just about reciting historical events, but about sharing the living reality of God’s power and presence as experienced through generations. It’s about building a legacy of faith, where stories of God’s faithfulness become anchors for future believers.
David himself draws upon this legacy. He likely remembered stories of God’s deliverance of Israel, from the Exodus to victories in battle. Personally, he might have reflected on God’s protection when facing lions and bears as a shepherd, his improbable victory over Goliath, or his ascent from humble beginnings to the throne of Israel. These “great deeds” weren’t just historical accounts; they were living testimonies to God’s power and faithfulness in David’s own life and in the history of his people.
Image alt text: Social media graphic with text “Greatness of God Sermon Series”, visually representing a theme of exploring God’s magnificent attributes.
In our own lives, reflecting on God’s “great deeds” can be a source of immense encouragement. Think back to moments where you’ve experienced God’s intervention, guidance, or provision. Perhaps it was an answered prayer, a moment of unexpected grace, or strength found in a time of weakness. These personal “markers” of faith, like the historical accounts of God’s acts, serve as reminders of His ongoing presence and power in our lives. Hindsight, as the original sermon notes, becomes a powerful tool for renewing our faith and perspective, especially during challenging times. By remembering His great deeds, we reaffirm how great our God is and build our faith for the present and future.
3. Experiencing His Great Goodness: Beyond Our Perceptions (Psalm 145:7)
Psalm 145:7 pivots to another facet of God’s greatness: His inherent goodness. “They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness” (Psalm 145:7, NIV). This verse emphasizes the overflowing nature of God’s goodness – it’s not just sufficient, but abundant. And the response to this goodness is celebration and joyful singing.
However, the sermon astutely points out that for some, grasping God’s goodness can be challenging. “Maybe you find it hard to believe that God is really good, generous, kind … and that he wants to do something good for you. This can be a foreign concept for many people because of family, background and religious baggage.” Life experiences, distorted religious teachings, or personal struggles can create barriers to perceiving God’s true nature.
The image of God as a “menacing policeman” or an “angry parent” are powerful examples of these distorted perceptions. These images paint a picture of a God who is critical, judgmental, and distant, rather than the loving and benevolent God revealed in Scripture. Such misrepresentations can hinder our ability to trust and experience God’s goodness.
Image alt text: Image displaying Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?”, highlighting the protective and supportive nature of God.
Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (NIV), offers a powerful counter-narrative to these distorted views. It speaks to a God who is on our side, who desires our well-being, and whose goodness is not limited or conditional. Recognizing and embracing God’s great goodness is essential for a vibrant and trusting relationship with Him. It dismantles the false narratives and allows us to experience the joyful celebration of His righteousness described in Psalm 145:7. Understanding His goodness further illuminates just how great our God is.
4. Embracing His Great Love: The Core of His Being (Psalm 145:8-9)
Building upon the foundation of God’s goodness, Psalm 145:8-9 unveils the very heart of His greatness: His love. “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” (Psalm 145:8-9, NIV). These verses paint a portrait of God defined by grace, compassion, patience, and abundant love.
The sermon beautifully illustrates the layers of God’s attributes, comparing them to peeling an onion. God’s works and faithfulness form the outer layer, His goodness and kingdom the second, and at the innermost core lies His love. This analogy powerfully conveys that love is not just one of God’s qualities, but the very essence from which all His other attributes flow. His actions, His rule, His faithfulness, and His goodness are all expressions of His fundamental love.
Image alt text: A visually comforting image with the words “Gracious and Compassionate” overlaid, emphasizing God’s merciful and empathetic nature.
John 3:16-17, quoted in the original sermon, powerfully encapsulates this great love: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (NIV). This act of ultimate sacrifice reveals the immeasurable depth of God’s love for humanity. It’s a love that seeks not to condemn but to redeem, to heal, and to restore.
The personal testimony shared in the sermon, marking 23 years in ordained ministry stemming from a life transformed by God’s love, further underscores the transformative power of this divine love. Churches themselves exist because of this love, as communities of people who have encountered and been touched by God’s grace. His great love is not just a theological concept, but a lived reality that shapes lives and communities, revealing how truly great our God is in His loving nature.
5. Establishing His Great Kingdom: An Everlasting Reign (Psalm 145:10-13)
The final verses of Psalm 145 turn our gaze to the scope and duration of God’s reign. “All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you. They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations” (Psalm 145:10-13, NIV). Here, David broadens the perspective from personal experience to the universal and eternal nature of God’s kingdom.
Verse 13 powerfully declares, “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.” This contrasts sharply with the fleeting nature of earthly kingdoms. The sermon rightly points out the transience of historical empires – Babylon, the Third Reich, the Soviet Union – all powerful in their time, yet now relegated to history. Human kingdoms rise and fall, but God’s kingdom is different; it is eternal and unchanging.
Image alt text: A collage of iconic world landmarks representing various kingdoms and empires, juxtaposed to emphasize the enduring nature of God’s kingdom.
This everlasting kingdom is not just a future reality; it is a present reality that impacts our lives today. As the sermon emphasizes, “The God of the Bible hasn’t withdrawn Himself, forsaken us, forgotten us, left us, or changed with the seasons – He’s alive and well and present in our world today.” God’s kingdom is not distant or detached, but actively engaged in our world, seeking to make a difference in our lives and through us in the lives of others.
Jesus’ ministry, as highlighted in the sermon referencing Luke 4:18-19, was a tangible expression of this kingdom here on earth. He preached good news to the marginalized, offered freedom to the oppressed, brought healing to the broken, and extended forgiveness to sinners. His actions exemplified the compassion and transformative power of God’s kingdom breaking into the present world. Praying “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” is not just a passive hope, but an active participation in extending this great kingdom, reflecting how magnificently great our God reigns, now and forever.
Image alt text: A depiction of Jesus preaching good news, visually representing the message of hope and salvation brought by the Kingdom of God.
Conclusion: Rejoicing in the Greatness of Our God in a Changing World
As we navigate a world in constant flux, Psalm 145 offers an unwavering anchor in the greatness of God. The recent experience of lockdown, as mentioned in the original sermon, has brought into sharp focus what truly matters. While challenging, it has also revealed resilience, generosity, and a renewed sense of community. However, as we emerge into a “new normal,” the need for hope and strength remains paramount.
Image alt text: A news image referencing “Boris lockdown”, symbolizing the recent period of global lockdown and societal shifts.
In times of uncertainty and change, the Church, as George Pitcher eloquently stated, becomes “both a touchstone of hope and a pillar of strength.” Psalm 145 reminds us of the foundations upon which this hope and strength are built: a God of great works, great deeds, great goodness, great love, and a great and everlasting kingdom.
May we, like David, continually “exalt” and “extol” our God. May we remember His great deeds in our lives and in history. May we open our hearts to experience His abundant goodness and embrace His transformative love. And may we actively participate in extending His everlasting kingdom here on earth. In doing so, we not only acknowledge but deeply experience just how great our God is, yesterday, today, and forever.
