Psalm 145, the alternative reading for this week, is the last of the many songs attributed to David, and the first of a closing bracket of six songs of praise.
The central theme is the ultimate sovereignty of God. However, each time the psalm appears in the Lectionary – five times in all but mostly as a complementary reading – different verse selections offer different points of emphasis; praise to a great power, grace, faithfulness, love and even the matter of food on the table:
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. / You open your hand, satisfying the need of every living thing. (verses 15, 16)
As well as the greatness of divine purposes, the power of love and that recurrent theme of justice are celebrated in this song (17).
The psalms also convey a sense of freedom from burdens, an interesting undercurrent detected in the third century CE by commentator and theologian Hippolytus of Rome, who opined:
David gave the Hebrews psalmody. This abrogated Moses’ sacrificial system and introduced a new form of jubilant praise.
Several of the classical arrangements, such as those by Lassus and Gibbons, start with verse 15 quoted above.
In modern sources:
- TEP and PFAS 145D reflect the main theme of Psalm 145, namely praise for divine sovereignty and grace.
- In NCH, Vérne de la Peña from the Philippines University meditates on God’s ‘wondrous works’, employing both simple tune and pleasing harmonies. [Sung at South Woden in 2017.]
- A local composition presents a vehicle for both verses and response, depending on which selection is set. [Sung at South Woden in 2015.]
- SWUC’s choice this week is a few verses of the old hymn reprinted in Together in Song 89.
Psalms in the South 