This psalm is divided into three parts. In the first (vs 1–3), we focus on the greatness, the vastness, the majesty, the impossible-to-describe-ness of God! We lift our eyes and catch a glimpse of just how amazing he is and find ourselves joining the psalmist in praise. 

Lost for words, the psalmist seeks comparisons (vs 4–6), but finds that there are none. It’s very hard to say ‘God is like…’ when actually he is in a completely different league from anything else in our experience.

In the final part of the psalm (vs 7–9), the psalmist gives examples of how this same incredible God deals with individuals. He doesn’t show preference as the world would, but raises up those in need. Verse 9 really struck me, as I married and had children later than most. Reminiscing about that, I began to recall time after time when God has brought the miracles I needed: a job, an opportunity, a contact, even cash in the post! It is utterly mind-blowing to think that the Lord of all would care about my problem; that the King of kings knows each one of us so well that he can meet our personal precise need.

May the pattern of my life be one of praise to the Lord, from the rising of the sun to its setting. Lord, I praise you for…

Yesterday, we read about the horrors of desperate poverty. The end of today’s psalm is more than a panacea to make us or those in poverty feel better. It expresses the reality that God is the Provider for the poor and needy. He is the Provider of the rich as well, of course, but here the recognition is that God can bring about a reversal of circumstances.

We may agree that the reason that God can raise the poor from the dust and give children to the childless is that he has the power to do so. It is good to remember, however, that no amount of power will do this unless there is an interest to do so. It is that benevolent interest that is the reason for the psalmist’s praise in the middle part of the psalm. It is marvellous that the Lord, who is exalted over all the nations and heavens, stoops down to look on both and care for them. It is reminiscent of Psalm 8, ‘… what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?’1 Notice that in today’s psalm, God looks down not only on the earth, but also on the heavens. He is above both. 

The psalmist therefore calls on ‘you his servants’ (v 1) to praise the name of the Lord now and for ever, from the rising of the sun to its setting. In other words, he is exhorting his audience to praise God all day, every day. Sunday is sometimes called ‘the Lord’s Day’ because it is a day when people can take time to focus on God and give him praise. Even in the busyness of a weekday (or maybe on Sundays, as well), ‘you his servants’ are called to praise.

What do you marvel at when you think of God looking down in care on the earth and heavens? Try completing the psalm from verse 7 in your own way. 

¹ Ps 8:4, NRSV