Part of my teaching assignment every year is to teach a speech class. We cover most kinds of speeches, including introductions. According to Donna Hess and Dawn Watkins in
SPEECH for Christian Schools (Bob Jones University Press, 1985), introductions are courtesy speeches, from the French word
court which refers to the behavior of a courtier. It has come to be understood as "gracious and polite in manner." They write that an introductory speech "should be nobly phrased and graciously delivered." It should "tell the [individual's] qualifications, announce the topic of the presentation, [and] show how the topic is significant for the audience." This is the pattern David has taken with Psalm 145. What a perfect introduction to God!
His qualifications are His greatness, might, and, well, Godliness, which deserve all our praise:
145:1 I will extol thee, my God, O King; And I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
145:2 Every day will I bless thee; And I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
145:3 Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable.
The topic is that all should know Him and spread His reputation far and wide:
145:4 One generation shall laud thy works to another, And shall declare thy mighty acts.
145:5 Of the glorious majesty of thine honor, And of thy wondrous works, will I meditate.
145:6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts; And I will declare thy greatness.
145:7 They shall utter the memory of thy great goodness, And shall sing of thy righteousness. 145:8 Jehovah is gracious, and merciful; slow to anger, and of great lovingkindness. 145:9 Jehovah is good to all; And His tender mercies are over all His works. 145:10 All thy works shall give thanks unto thee, O Jehovah; And Thy saints shall bless Thee. 145:11 They shall speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power; 145:12 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glory of the majesty of His kingdom. 145:13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.
The significance to the audience is all that God has done and continues to do for His people:
145:14Jehovah upholdeth all that fall, And raiseth up all those that are bowed down.
145:15The eyes of all wait for thee; And thou givest them their food in due season.
145:16Thou openest thy hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
145:17 Jehovah is righteous in all his ways, And gracious in all his works.
145:18 Jehovah is nigh unto all them that call upon him, To all that call upon him in truth.
145:19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; He also will hear their cry and will save them.
145:20Jehovah preserveth all them that love him; But all the wicked will he destroy.
Verse 21 is the conclusion:
145:21 My mouth shall speak the praise of Jehovah; And let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, . . . GOD!
Heavenly Father, let my mouth speak Your praise! Let all flesh bless Your Holy Name forever and ever! Amen
145:18 The LORD is near to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.
145:19 He fulfils the desire of all who fear him, he also hears their cry, and saves them.
Follow this blog
