Seated on the Throne

A Reflection on the Psalm for Sunday, May 18th, 2025:
Fifth Sunday of Easter

---

Psalm 145

R. I will bless your name for ever, my King and my God.

The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.

R. I will bless your name for ever, my King and my God.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your faithful shall bless you. They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom, and tell of your power.

R. I will bless your name for ever, my King and my God.

To make known to human beings your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendour of your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

​R. I will bless your name for ever, my King and my God.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

What struck me almost immediately as I meditated on Psalm 145 was the intentionality of King David. He didn’t say “I might” or “I should” but rather “I will bless the Lord’s name.” He was committed to this endeavour not just that day or that year, but rather forever. Such a declaration reflects a deep passion. 

His passion is for the Lord. Did you notice that King David refers to the Lord as “my King” and “my God”? His relationship is a personal one. Despite being a king himself, David has placed the Lord on the throne of his life. 

What about us? 

Who is the Lord of your life? Who is seated on the throne? I once heard a very useful way of reflecting on this question, from a New Testament perspective. Imagine a circle representing a person’s life, a chair representing the throne and finally a cross representing Jesus. There are three ways these items can be arranged. 

In the first scenario, the person may choose not to believe in Jesus. The cross is outside the circle of the person’s life. The throne is within the circle, and it is the person who sits on the throne as lord of their life. 

In the second scenario, a person may believe in Jesus, hence the cross is inside the circle of the person’s life but, alas, the person has not allowed God to be Lord of their life, and the person remains seated on the throne. 

In the final scenario, a person believes in Jesus, invites Him into their life and recognizes Him as Lord of their life. You guessed it – the throne is within the circle of the person’s life and the cross (Jesus), is on the throne. “My King and my God!” 

I recognize in my own life that, at times, I have let Jesus in only partially. I allowed Him to be part of my life but not necessarily at the centre; it was I who took control of the throne. As I grew in my understanding of God’s character and love for me, I experienced great peace as I relinquished that position to Jesus. 

Psalm 145 is a psalm of praise. King David recognizes, both from the stories of his forebears and from his own life, the wonderful character and works of God. Praise bubbles up from within him. His praise rises to God as he blesses and thanks Him, but David doesn’t stop there. His praise for God also encompasses telling others who God is, what He has done, and of His Kingdom. May we, like David, choose God as Lord of our lives, praise Him and tell others of this amazing God who loves each of us so dearly. 

It brings to mind the words of this old hymn: Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him, all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly host. Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

​
Lisa Wing

---