PRAISING GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS

“They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing
of thy righteousness” (Psalm 145:7).

We cannot deny God’s claim to praise him in all his excellencies, but we are
especially called to praise him for his goodness.

Note that the Psalmist insists on an abundance of praise in memory of the
Father’s goodness—they sang the Hebrew for abundant utterances: to gush out
like water rushing from a fountain.

In Psalm 107:8-9, David writes, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his
goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth
the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.”

This truth of praising God for his past goodness struck a cord in my heart and
I have been moved upon to do as David did. We are called upon to celebrate his
goodness.

David opens up the goodness he speaks of—God is inclined to use mercy, as he
sympathizes with our affliction and miseries. David borrowed from Exodus 34:6,
where God spoke to Moses: “The Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The
Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in
goodness and truth.”

Beloved, look back over the past and remember how good the Lord has been to
you. Remember his compassions that never failed to bring you through. I am
finding pleasure in praising God for all things, but especially for his
goodness. Not only for past goodness, but for those I see daily—the goodness
I see all around me now in the present.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I
will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever” (Psalm 23:6).