“The LORD is … loving towards all he has made” (verse 17).
Psalm 145 (NIV)
1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
I resolve to exalt you ahead of any other person or thing.
2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
Every day, Lord, EVERY day.
3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no-one can fathom.
I resolve daily to praise you for your greatness.
4 One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.
I resolve to commend all you have done for me to those of the next generation.
5 They will speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
I resolve to devote time each day to meditating on your salvation.
6 They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds.
I resolve to tell somebody every day of what you have done for me.
7 They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
This too will be my objective in speaking of your goodness.
8 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
I resolve to thank you daily for this, Lord.
9 The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
I resolve to demonstrate your compassion to others.
10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you.
I resolve to join in with others in praising you.
11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
I resolve to seek the extension of your kingdom.
12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendour of your kingdom.
I resolve to refrain from anything that could hinder the entry of others into your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving towards all he has made.
I resolve to try to emulate your faithfulness.
14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
I resolve to help others.
15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
I resolve to contribute for the welfare of others.
16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
I resolve to act generously towards others.
17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving towards all he has made.
I resolve to care for your creation.
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
I resolve to speak truth, full truth and only truth.
19 He fulfils the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
I resolve to call on you before trying to rectify matters in my own strength.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
I resolve to love you Lord and to seek to obey you.
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
I resolve to praise your name and never to use it in vain.
For 2016, will you make resolutions based on this psalm?