For Who He Is

FOR WHO HE IS

a prayer to open

Here’s my heart, Lord. Speak what is true.

Here’s my life, Lord. Speak what is true.

I will exalt you, my God and King,

and praise your name forever and ever.

I will praise you every day;

yes, I will praise you forever.

Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!

No one can measure his greatness.

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;

let them proclaim your power.

I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor

and your wonderful miracles.

Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;

I will proclaim your greatness.

Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;

they will sing with joy about your righteousness.

The LORD is merciful and compassionate,

slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.

The LORD is good to everyone.

He showers compassion on all his creation.

All of your works will thank you, LORD,

and your faithful followers will praise you.

They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;

they will give examples of your power.

They will tell about your mighty deeds

and about the majesty and glory of your reign.

For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

You rule throughout all generations.

The LORD always keeps his promises;

he is gracious in all he does.

The LORD helps the fallen

and lifts those bent beneath their loads.

The eyes of all look to you in hope;

you give them their food as they need it.

When you open your hand,

you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

The LORD is righteous in everything he does;

he is filled with kindness.

The LORD is close to all who call on him,

yes, to all who call on him in truth.

He grants the desires of those who fear him;

he hears their cries for help and rescues them.

The LORD protects all those who love him,

but he destroys the wicked.

I will praise the LORD,

and may everyone on earth bless his holy name

forever and ever.

We have a tendency in our prayers and praise to celebrate God for the things we see him do. And this is a good thing; we see examples throughout Scripture of this kind of praise. But this psalm reminds us that God’s actions in the world flow out of his character. How might our lives and prayers be shaped if we praised him not only for his actions in the world but also for who he is?

• Read this passage again slowly. What word or phrase stands out to you? Why do you think that word or phrase speaks to you? What does it say?
• Look back at every phrase in this psalm that begins with the words “The LORD . . .” and list God’s characteristics. For which one of these characteristics are you most grateful today? Why?
• Consider the last time you experienced God acting in your life. What did his actions reveal to you about his character?

Thank you, Lord, for who you are. So often I look for what you are doing and how you are acting. I lose sight of who you are and what your actions reveal about you—your grace, compassion, goodness, trustworthiness, faithfulness, righteousness, and nearness. Remind me of who you are, Lord, in my moments of joy and my moments of sadness. And regardless of my circumstances, may I see your character shining through. Amen.