Psalm 145: 1-13

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St. Augustine says that “whole Christ” [totus Christus] prays the psalms. He explained, "By whole I mean with His body, of which He is the Head.” Head and body are Christ and the church. The two are united in one voice and inseparable.

In the Psalms, and not merely Psalms of praise, or general petition, but even (and especially) those on the brink of despair while alienated from God; they’re all on the lips of Jesus. He speaks for us, with us, as one with us. St. Augustine teaches us to pray the Psalms as those caught up in Jesus’ prayer and He in ours. The cross and resurrection are the life of the whole Christ; what goes for Jesus goes also for His Body, the church. This means that in our loneliness, abandonment, suffering, and even death, Christ is there with us and we are with Him, and we are in solidarity with each other.

With the Psalms, then, David prays, we pray, but above all — and with all of us together — Jesus prays. St. Pope John Paul II often repeated a quote from Vatican II that in his incarnation Christ identified with each one of us in a personal way. While on earth, Jesus prayed the Psalm with his parents at home, in the synagogue, and with his disciples. When we pray(sing) the psalms, Jesus is praying with us. When we sing any of the psalms we should imagine Christ leading us in the Psalm.

Psalm 145 is a joy-filled psalm that extols, blesses, praises, meditates on, and enumerates many of God’s divine attributes, his works, and his kingdom.

Reference:  Geoff Boyle, https://witness.lcms.org/2021/the-whole-christ-prays-the-psalms-with-st-augustine
 
Psalm 145: 1-13

I will extol you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you
land praise your name forever and ever
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall commend your works to another and shall declare your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.
They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness And sing aloud of your righteousness.
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
The LORD is good to all,
and his mercy is over all that he has made.
All of your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD
and all your saints shall bless you!
They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power
to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.

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