Psalms145

Psalm 145 is a psalm of David, extolling the Lord as King and declaring His unsearchable greatness. David vows to praise God daily and eternally, and calls for all generations and creation to do likewise. The psalm emphasizes God's gracious, compassionate, and merciful character, His everlasting kingdom, and His role as a righteous provider and sustainer for all living things. It concludes with an affirmation of God's nearness to those who call upon Him in truth, promising salvation to the righteous and destruction to the wicked.

A Vow of Eternal Praise

1
I will exalt you, my God, the King. I will praise your name forever and ever. ​
2
Every day I will praise you. I will extol your name forever and ever.
3
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised! His greatness is unsearchable. ​

Declaring God's Mighty Acts

4
One generation will commend your works to another, and will declare your mighty acts. ​
5
Of the glorious majesty of your honor, of your wondrous works, I will meditate.
6
Men will speak of the might of your awesome acts. I will declare your greatness.
7
They will utter the memory of your great goodness, and will sing of your righteousness.

The Lord's Gracious Character and Kingdom

8
The LORD is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving kindness. ​
9
The LORD is good to all. His tender mercies are over all his works. ​
10
All your works will give thanks to you, LORD. Your holy ones will extol you.
11
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk about your power;
12
to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.
13
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Your dominion endures throughout all generations. the LORD is faithful in all his words, and loving in all his deeds. ​

God Sustains and Answers the Faithful

14
The LORD upholds all who fall, and raises up all those who are bowed down. ​
15
The eyes of all wait for you. You give them their food in due season. ​
16
You open your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing. ​
17
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and gracious in all his works.
18
The LORD is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. ​
19
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him. He also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20
The LORD preserves all those who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. ​

Final Commitment to Universal Praise

21
My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD. Let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 145

Verse 1

This psalm, attributed to David and structured alphabetically (acrostic), serves as the final psalm of praise before the concluding Hallelujah psalms (146–150), beginning with the worshiper’s personal commitment to exalt the sovereign God.

Verse 3

The phrase 'unsearchable greatness' acknowledges that while God reveals his power and character, the fullness of his being and majesty remains infinitely beyond human comprehension.

Verse 4

This verse stresses the vital necessity of intergenerational transmission of faith; the experiences of God’s works must be declared so that the next generation may also praise his acts.

Verse 8

This is a foundational theological statement, drawn directly from the divine self-revelation to Moses (Ex. 34:6–7), emphasizing God’s steadfast love, patience, and abundant mercy.

Verse 9

God’s goodness is not limited solely to Israel but extends universally to all creation; his tender mercies demonstrate his providential care for every living thing.

Verse 13

The assertion that God’s kingdom is 'an everlasting kingdom' contrasts the temporal rule of human monarchs with the eternal, unchanging sovereignty of Yahweh.

Verse 14

The psalm shifts focus from God’s majestic attributes to concrete examples of his restorative action and practical care for those who are struggling, illustrating his compassion.

Verse 15

The imagery of 'eyes waiting upon thee' highlights the creaturely dependence on the Creator for sustenance, emphasizing God’s active role as provider (cf. Matt. 6:26).

Verse 16

The 'opening of thine hand' symbolizes the generous, unreserved nature of God's provision, satisfying the fundamental needs of all creation.

Verse 18

God is 'nigh' (close) not merely to those who pray, but specifically to those whose prayer is offered 'in truth,' meaning with sincerity, integrity, and faithfulness of heart.

Verse 20

This verse summarizes the ultimate covenant consequences: God actively protects and preserves those who love him, while those who reject his rule will be destroyed.

Verse 21

This concluding doxology transforms the personal vow of praise (v. 1) into a corporate command, inviting 'all flesh' (all humanity) to join in the eternal blessing of God’s holy name.

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