Psalms 145:2

Every day will I bless Thee.

A goodly occupation

I. The duty imposed.

1. It is purely voluntary. Whatever we do must be done “not grudgingly, or of necessity.” To do it against our will is to render mechanical service. In that there is no manhood.

2. It is personal. David appealed to others (verse 21), for he would have others similarly engaged. But he did not wait for them. Commenced himself: led the way. So must we.

3. In harmony with his understanding, judgment, and feelings. Only so far as there is this agreement or harmony is there any hope of a successful performance of this duty.

4. But how can we bless the Lord?

(1) By extolling Him.

(2) Praising Him.

(3) Loving Him.

II. The time set apart. “Every day.”

1. This possesses considerable advantage. Clocks that require “winding up” once a week, or once in eight or fifteen days, or longer period, are more likely to be neglected than watches and clocks which require daily attention. Then no need of reckoning up. Cannot well go wrong, for it is an “everyday” work.

2. This is comprehensive; for does not mean, as in case of watch or clock, a particular Nine, but all the time. In other words, that all our life should be devoted to this purpose.

3. Nor is this unreasonable; for only according to the measure whereby we have been blessed.

4. Therefore makes a business of it. Not occasional or spasmodic, but the regular, uninterrupted course. Conclusion--“Keep, therefore, and do” this, “for this is your wisdom and your understanding.” (J. H. Thompson.)

Daily devotion

I. An obligation. As such it calls forth--

1. Reflection. Providence is a great panorama; the Bible is a vast picture-gallery; the human race is an endless orchestra; and the whole an exhibition of infinite wisdom, power, and love. The true observer is filled with calmness, reverence, worship, and his soul ascends Godward in the incense of universal adoration.

2. Thanksgiving. We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the calmness of our forgiven heart we look up to the Giver of all our perfect gifts. Every day we bless Him for the Bible, for the Saviour, for the guidance of His Spirit, for the communion of saints, and for the hope of life eternal.

II. A fit accompaniment to daily duties. The late Princess Alice chose for her personal motto the lark. Her reason for it was that the lark soared high in the heavens to praise its Maker, and then descended to make its nest on the ground. It was a beautiful sentiment, and will apply to the godly: “Give us this day our daily bread”--that is the cry of devotion to be followed by work. Sir Thomas More stipulated when he took office under the government first to look to God and then to the king.

III. Our stay in trial.

IV. A witness for Christ. Our places of worship are only open at stated times, and the Gospel preached at appointed hours, but he whose soul knows the blessedness of communion with God is a daily minister of religion. Fletcher of Madeley and his brother, when they were boys, went on Lake Geneva in a boat. After a while the mist swept down, and completely enveloped the lake. The boys soon lost their points, and kept on rowing about in the dark. At eight o’clock all the bells in the town began to peal in honour of a great event. The boys heard the bells, turned their boat towards the sound, and were soon safely landed. Let every Christian peal the bells of grace to direct the mariners who are in the darkness towards the haven of rest. (D. Davies.)

Praise unintermittent

Suppose some one entering heaven were to say to the redeemed, “Suspend your songs for a moment! ye have been praising Christ, lo! these six thousand years: many of you have without cessation praised Him now these many centuries. Stop your song a moment; pause and give your songs to some one else for a moment.” Oh l can you conceive the scorn with which the myriad eyes of the redeemed would smite the tempter. “Stop from praising Him! No, never. Time may stop, for it shall be no more: the world may stop, for its revolutions must cease; the universe may stop its cycles and the movings of its world; but for us to stop our songs--never! never!” (C. H. Spurgeon.)