Personalities differ, particularly when it comes to displaying our feelings. In English, we might describe someone as “a closed book”. This sort of person keeps his thoughts and emotions hidden. On the other hand, some people are “an open book”. Nothing is hidden. Immediately you know what they think and feel.

The author of Psalm 145 was King David, and it’s not hard to work out his personality. He is open, expressive, and enthusiastic. Psalm 145 is David’s last contribution to the book of Psalms, and it shows a man passionate about the God he serves.

The psalm begins with exuberant praise. Every day and for ever and ever, David will praise God. Since everything exists because of God and God continues to give all creatures what they need for life, all of God’s works praise Him (vv. 4, 15–16).

David praises God for two things: His character and His works. These two are intertwined throughout the psalm. God is worthy of praise because of His greatness (v. 3), His glorious majesty (v. 5), His abundant goodness and righteousness (v. 7), and His grace and compassion; also, because He is slow to anger, rich in love (v. 8), trustworthy, faithful in keeping His promises (v. 13), and righteous in everything He does (v. 17). It is worth reflecting for a moment on this last characteristic. Often, we can’t understand why God allows certain things to happen, like the loss of a loved one or widespread human suffering. While we may not know the reasons, we can find enormous comfort in the knowledge that everything this powerful, loving, compassionate God does is righteous.

David praises God for His many mighty works. Perhaps surprisingly, and unlike in some of the other psalms (see Psalm 136), David doesn’t mention particular events in history, like the creation of the world or the redemption from Egypt. God displays His “awesome works” when He lifts up those who fall (Psalm 145:14), provides and satisfies the needs of every living thing (v. 16), hears the cries of His people and saves them, and “watches over all who love him” (v. 20).

Again, it’s worth meditating on this last great work. Like a parent keeps a watchful eye on her infant to ensure the child is safe, so also our loving Father keeps us under His perpetual watchful eye.

Our personalities differ. Perhaps some of us are not as exuberant as David. But Psalm 145 should inspire us all to praise God every day, whether in prayer, song, or simply in spoken words. And in light of the New Testament, Christians have even more reason to praise God. There is no greater display of God’s love and compassion than in the life and death of His Son Jesus. Throughout history, there has been no work more wonderful and awesome than the power of God displayed in the victorious death and resurrection of Jesus for our salvation.