“They will burst forth in speaking of Your abundant goodness, and will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.”

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King David, the author of this Psalm, wrote with such passion and description when he penned Psalm 145. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David poured fourth his love and adoration for God in a beautiful way. I love the imagery He uses in this verse. The people (from verse 6) will “burst forth in speaking”- I can just about feel that statement, can’t you? Have you ever had something you were so passionate about, so excited about, so in awe over that you felt like you were just going to burst if you didn’t let it out? I think that something we all can relate to.  

The Hebrew word for “burst forth” that is used in this translation is translated in the Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon as “to bubble forth, to gush out” as if there is such a great buildup of praise from David’s heart and such an anticipation of the people’s praise likewise that it cannot be contained! Any idea why? Because of God’s abundant goodness and righteousness.

Again, David uses such a descriptive word here that really calls us into worship. That God is not just good, but ABUNDANTLY good! His goodness knows no bounds. It is more than enough, abundant, overflowing, and pouring over. We will never run out of His goodness and His goodness doesn’t tire. It is ABUNDANT.  

I don’t know about you, but I feel a bit convicted at David’s words here. If I am being honest, I don’t know that I live in a place of truly bursting at the seams about the goodness of God. Far too often I find myself fending off apathy or comfortability. When given the opportunity to share about His goodness, it doesn’t always roll off my tongue easily and I am not always so sure how to share. I struggle sometimes when face to face with someone to truly allow the goodness of God to bubble forth in speaking.  

Maybe you can relate? See there is this tension in the Church. We come to Christ, and we are excited and ready to start something new. But over time, if we aren’t careful, the “bursting forth” that we felt in the beginning can die out. We can experience the rejection that comes when the world doesn’t accept our bursting forth. We can feel discouraged when others downplay it or belittle us for it. And even just the rhythm of life can get in the way of us fully embracing what once made us feel like we were about to explode with joy.  

I get it. I’ve been there more times than I can count. The tension between the truth I know and the world that tells me to keep it quiet is real and it’s hard. But it’s a tension that we all need to recognize and lean into. Because the truth of the Gospel, the truth of who our God REALLY is, that truth is too important not to share. It’s too good to keep bottled up inside.  

I was listening to an Instagram reel lately from someone who is not a believer. And he said pointblank, “If you are a Christian but you aren’t evangelizing, don’t even talk to me. You say you have the best news and that you have what the world needs. But then you keep it to yourselves. That doesn’t line up with who you claim to be.” See, he saw the hypocrisy of how those of us who live a life “sold out for Christ” but are afraid to share the Good News. And that dissonance convinced him that the Good News must not be all that good. Ouch!  

Now I get it, there is always more to a story like that. But we need to take that sentiment to heart. I’m not saying that God is calling you to go stand on a street corner with a bullhorn and a sign. I’m also not saying He isn’t. But what I am saying is that each and every one of us is called to “burst forth in speech” and tell the world around us about the amazing God we serve. Tell them in your smile, tell them in your generosity, tell them at your dinner table and at your kid’s soccer game. Tell them in the way you love. But also tell them with plain and simple words. Let the words bubble over. Let them spill out. Don’t hold them back and don’t let fear silence you.

This is my own personal challenge too. I all too often find myself falling prey to the fear of what others will think or say. But friends, we have a truly GOOD GOD who came with a truly good message. We need to let His Spirit allow His message to bubble out of His people. Amen!

Jesus,

I want to bubble over with Your praises. I don’t want to stay silent. Please put Your words on my lips and give me the occasion and the courage to share them. Show me how to live in a way that “bursts forth” in your praises and shares your goodness with the world.

In the name of Christ,

Amen