The heading A Song of Praise. Of David is not included in the acrostic; it is the heading. Song of Praise is a fair characterization of this psalm, for the greatness of the Lord is mentioned throughout the psalm with different words and expressions.

We see here the purpose of man, namely to bring honour to God. In Chronicles, we read much about David’s efforts for music and song at the sanctuary. This psalm fits with what we read there about the worship service in the house of the Lord (see 1 Chronicles 6:16, 1 Chronicles 16:4–7, 1 Chronicles 25:6, 2 Chronicles 8:14, 2 Chronicles 29:30).

The first line starts with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. As often in this psalm, this sentence is a song of praise to God. The psalm also ends with a similar sentence. David wants to honour the Lord forever and ever—he says that here, in Psalm 145:2 and in the last verse. The phrase, forever and ever appears seven times in the Old Testament, of which three are in this psalm.

When using the name and bless your name, we should realize that a name in the Old Testament had more to do with identity than in other (western) cultures. The name of the Lord says who he is and how he is (see Exodus 3:14). He who is there, will be there, saving his people, and crushing his enemies.