Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 8The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Verse 9The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.
Verse 14The Lord upholds all who are falling, and raises up all who are bowed down.
Verse 15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.
Verse 16You open your hand, satisfying the desire of every living thing.
Verse 17The Lord is just in all his ways, and kind in all his doings.
Verse 18The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
Verse 19He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry, and saves them.
Verse 20The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
Verse 21My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless his holy name forever and ever.
Devotion
What are you quick to do? Are you quick to cash your paycheck, correct someone who is wrong, or jump to conclusions about a rumor? What are you slow to do? Are you slow to complete chores, see another’s point of view, or apologize? Verse eight declares, “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” The Lord has things he is quick to do; he is quick to have compassion and be merciful. Conversely, the Lord has things he is slow to do; he is slow to wrath. Gracious and merciful, slow to anger, God behaves as he wishes. In our own actions and emotions, we are quick to anger and to judge, slow to confess and forgive, and yet as children of God we are recipients of his grace. We are sinners upon whom he is quick to lavish mercy.
Prayer
Merciful Lord, upon me you lavish grace and compassion. As the psalmist declares, may my mouth speak the praise of the Lord; let all flesh bless God’s holy name forever and ever. Amen.