I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.1
When David says “my God and King” and the “LORD” is he referring to two different persons [I am assuming that we believe in One God,2 three persons—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit3]? In another Psalm, David says, the LORD says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.”4 This declaration was fulfilled in Jesus Christ’s ascension.5 Thus, we see two distinct persons. We can likewise logically conclude that the personal God whom David calls King is the same God he calls my Lord. The title attaches with it kingship and authority6; thus, our subservience.
In the translation of biblical names referring to God, the Maker of heaven and earth (OT); God introduced himself to the people of Israel as “I AM WHO I AM” (YHWH).7 The Jewish people considered the personal name of God to be so holy that it should never be spoken aloud. Instead of YHWH they would read the Hebrew word ‘adonay (Lord). When the vowels of ‘adonay and the consonants of YHWH are put together, we have the familiar word Jehovah. The ESV usually renders the personal name of God (YHWH) with the word LORD (printed in small capitals).8
Jesus had always been Lord from the beginning—He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.9
Jesus Our Lord came down to earth and became flesh10 to fulfill his function as Jesus Christ Our Savior.11 We cannot dichotomize Jesus as savior or lord. To do otherwise is to be deluded.12 He is both Lord and Savior—But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim)” because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” . . . For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”13 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, . . . Jesus said to him, . . . Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. . . . Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?14
Thus, it is fitting to extol or praise Jesus Christ Our Lord from beginning to end. David opens and ends his Psalms with Praise the LORD!15
Notes:
1. Psalm 145:1-3
2. Deuteronomy 6:4
3. 2 Corinthians 13:14
4. Psalm 110:1
5. Mark 16:19
6. King of kings, Daniel 2:37; Kings of kings and Lord or lords, Revelations 19:16
7. Exodus 3:14-15
8. ESV Text Edition:2011, Preface—The Translation of Specialized Terms.
9. Colossians 1:15-20
10. John 1:1-5, 9-14
11. Luke 2:11
12. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
13. Romans 10:8-11, 13
14. John 14:8-10a
15. Psalms 146-150