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Commentary on Psalms 145 verses 10–21
The greatness and goodness of him who is optimus et maximus - the best and greatest of beings, were celebrated in the former part of the psalm; here, in these verses, we are taught to give him the glory of his kingdom, in the administration of which his greatness and goodness shine so clearly, so very brightly. Observe, as before,
I. From whom the tribute of praise is expected (Psa 145:10): All God's works shall praise him. They all minister to us matter for praise, and so praise him according to their capacity; even those that refuse to give him honour he will get himself honour upon. But his saints do bless him, not only as they have peculiar blessings from him, which other creatures have not, but as they praise him actively, while his other works praise him only objectively. They bless him, for they collect the rent or tribute of praise from the inferior creatures, and pay it into the treasury above. All God's works do praise him, as the beautiful building praises the builder or the well-drawn picture praises the painter; but the saints bless him as the children of prudent tender parents rise up and call them blessed. Of all God's works, his saints, the workmanship of his grace, the first-fruits of his creatures, have most reason to bless him.
II. For what this praise is to be given: They shall speak of thy kingdom. The kingdom of God among men is a thing to be often thought of and often spoken of. As, before, he had magnified God's greatness and goodness in general, so here he magnifies them with application to his kingdom. Consider then,
1.The greatness of his kingdom. It is great indeed, for all the kings and kingdoms of the earth are under his control. To show the greatness of God's kingdom, he observes, (1.) The pomp of it. Would we by faith look within the veil, we should see, and, believing, we should speak of the glory of his kingdom (Psa 145:11), the glorious majesty of it (Psa 145:12), for he has prepared his throne in the heavens, and it is high and lifted up, and surrounded with an innumerable company of angels. The courts of Solomon and Ahasuerus were magnificent; but, compared with the glorious majesty of God's kingdom, they were but as glow-worms to the sun. The consideration of this should strike an awe upon us in all our approaches to God. (2.) The power of it: When they speak of the glory of God's kingdom they must talk of his power, the extent of it, the efficacy of it - his power, by which he can do any thing and does every thing he pleases (Psa 145:11); and, as a proof of it, let them make known his mighty acts (Psa 145:12), that the sons of men may be invited to yield themselves his willing subjects and so put themselves under the protection of such a mighty potentate. (3.) The perpetuity of it, Psa 145:13. The thrones of earthly princes totter, and the flowers of their crowns wither, monarchies come to an end; but, Lord, thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. God will govern the world to the end of time, when the Mediator, who is now entrusted with the administration of his kingdom, shall deliver it up to God, even the Father, that he may be all in all to eternity. His dominion endures throughout all generations, for he himself is eternal, and his counsels are unchangeable and uniform; and Satan, who has set up a kingdom in opposition to him, is conquered and in a chain.
2.The goodness of his kingdom. His royal style and title are, The Lord God, gracious and merciful; and his government answers to his title. The goodness of God appears in what he does,
(1.)For all the creatures in general (Psa 145:15, Psa 145:16): He provides food for all flesh, and therein appears his everlasting mercy, Psa 136:25. All the creatures live upon God, and, as they had their being from him at first, so from him they have all the supports of their being and on him they depend for the continuance of it. [1.] The eye of their expectation attends upon him: The eyes of all wait on thee. The inferior creatures indeed have not the knowledge of God, nor are capable of it, and yet they are said to wait upon God, because they seek their food according to the instinct which the God of nature has put into them (and they sow not, neither do they reap, Mat 6:26), and because they take what the God of nature has provided for them, in the time and way that he has appointed, and are content with it. [2.] The hand of his bounty is stretched out to them: Thou givest them their meat in due season, the meat proper for them, and in the proper time, when they need it; so that none of the creatures ordinarily perish for want of food, no, not in the winter. Thou openest thy hand freely and liberally, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing, except some of the unreasonable children of men, that will be satisfied with nothing, but are still complaining, still crying, Give, give.
(2.)For the children of men in particular, whom he governs as reasonable creatures.
[1.]He does none of them any wrong, for (Psa 145:17) the Lord is righteous in all his ways, and not unrighteous in any of them; he is holy, and acts like himself, with a perfect rectitude in all his works. In all the acts of government he is just, injurious to none, but administering justice to all. The ways of the lord are equal, though ours are unequal. In giving laws, in deciding controversies, in recompensing services, and punishing offences, he is incontestably just, and we are bound to own that he is so.
[2.]He does all of them good, his own people in a special manner.
First, He supports those that are sinking, and it is his honour to help the weak, Psa 145:14. He upholds all that fall, in that, though they fall, they are not utterly cast down. Many of the children of men are brought very low by sickness and other distresses, and seem ready to drop into the grave, and yet Providence wonderfully upholds them, raises them up, and says, Return, Psa 110:3. If all had died who once seemed dying, the world would have been very thin. Many of the children of God, who have been ready to fall into sin, to fall into despair, have experienced his goodness in preventing their falls, or recovering them speedily by his graces and comforts, so that, though they fell, they were not utterly cast down, Psa 37:24. If those who were bowed down by oppression and affliction are raised up, it was God that raised them. And, with respect to all those that are heavy-laden under the burden of sin, if they come to Christ by faith, he will ease them, he will raise them.
Secondly, He is very ready to hear and answer the prayers of his people, Psa 145:18, Psa 145:19. In this appears the grace of his kingdom, that his subjects have not only liberty of petitioning, but all the encouragement that can be to petition. 1. The grant is very rich, that God will be nigh to all that call upon him; he will be always within call of their prayers, and they shall always find themselves within reach of his help. If a neighbour that is near is better than a brother afar off (Pro 27:10), much more a God that is near. Nay, he will not only be nigh to them, that they may have the satisfaction of being heard, but he will fulfil their desires; they shall have what they ask and find that they seek. It was said (Psa 145:16) that he satisfies the desire of every living thing, much more will he fulfil the desire of those that fear him; for he that feeds his birds will not starve his babes. He will hear their call and will save them; that is hearing them to purpose, as he heard David (that is, saved him) from the horn of the unicorn, Psa 22:21. 2. The proviso is very reasonable. He will hear and help us, (1.) If we fear him, if we worship and serve him with a holy awe of him; for otherwise how can we expect that he should accept us? (2.) If we call upon him in truth; for he desires truth in the inward part. We must be faithful to God, and sincere in our professions of dependence on him, and devotedness to him. In all devotions inward impressions must be answerable to the outward expressions, else they are not performed in truth.
Thirdly, He takes those under his special protection who have a confidence and complacency in him (Psa 145:20): The Lord preserves all those that love him; they lie exposed in this world, but he, by preserving them in their integrity, will effectually secure them, that no real evil shall befal them.
[3.]If any are destroyed they may thank themselves: All the wicked he will destroy, but they have by their wickedness fitted themselves for destruction. This magnifies his goodness in the protection of the righteous, that with their eyes they shall see the reward of the wicked (Psa 91:8); and God will by this means preserve his people, even by destroying the wicked that would do them a mischief.
Lastly, The psalmist concludes, 1. With a resolution to give glory to God himself (Psa 145:21): My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord. When we have said what we can, in praising God, still there is more to be said, and therefore we must not only begin our thanksgivings with this purpose, as he did (Psa 145:1), but conclude them with it, as he does here, because we shall presently have occasion to begin again. As the end of one mercy is the beginning of another, so should the end of one thanksgiving be. While I have breath to draw, my mouth shall still speak God's praises. 2. With a call to others to do so too: Let all flesh, all mankind, bless his holy name for ever and ever. Some of mankind shall be blessing God for ever; it is a pity but that they should be all so engaged.
"Your kingdom." What kingdom mean I? "a kingdom of all ages." For the kingdom of this age too has its own beauty, but there is not in it that greatness of beauty, such as in the "kingdom of all ages." "And Your dominion is in every generation and generation" [Psalm 145:13]. This is the repetition we noticed, signifying either every generation, or the generation which will be after this generation. "Faithful is the Lord in His words, and holy in all His works." "Faithful is the Lord in His words:" for what has He promised that He has not given? "Faithful is the Lord in His words." Hereto there are certain things which He has promised, and has not given; but let Him be believed from the things which He has given. We might well believe Him, if He only spoke: He willed not that we should believe Him speaking, but that we should have His Scriptures in our hands:...as though a kind of bond of God's, which all who pass by might read, and might keep to the path of its promise. And how great things has He already paid in accordance with that bond! Do men hesitate to believe Him concerning the Resurrection of the dead and the Life to come, which alone now remains to be paid, when, if He come to reckon with the unbelievers, the unbelievers must blush? If God say to you, You have My bond: I have promised judgment, the separation of good and bad, everlasting life for the faithful, and will you not believe? There in My bond read all that I have promised, reckon with me: verily even by counting up what I have paid, you can believe that I shall pay what still I owe. In that bond you have My only-begotten Son promised, "Whom I spared not, but gave Him up for you all:" [Romans 8:32] reckon this then among what is paid. Read the bond: I promised therein that I would give by My Son the earnest of the Holy Spirit: reckon that as paid. I promised therein the blood and the crowns of the glorious Martyrs; let the White Mass remind you that My debt has been paid....He sets before the eyes of all His payment of His debts: some He has paid in the time of our ancestors, which we saw not: some He has paid in our times, which they saw not; throughout all generations He has paid what was written. And what remains? Do men not believe Him, when He has paid all this? What remains? Behold you have reckoned: all this He has paid: is He become unfaithful for the few things which remain? God forbid! Wherefore? Because "the Lord is faithful in His words, and holy in all His works."
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SUMMARY
Psalms 145:13 stands as a profound declaration within King David's acrostic psalm of praise, asserting the eternal, unchanging, and universally enduring nature of God's sovereign rule. This verse serves as a foundational theological statement, assuring believers that God's kingdom transcends all temporal limitations and human empires, extending His steadfast dominion across every generation, thereby offering enduring stability and an ultimate ground for worship and trust.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 145 is uniquely designated "David's Psalm of Praise" and is structured as an acrostic, with each verse (or sometimes a pair of verses) beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Verse 13 corresponds to the letter 'Mem'. The psalm systematically unfolds God's attributes, moving from His immeasurable greatness (e.g., Psalm 145:3) and mighty acts (e.g., Psalm 145:4) to His abundant goodness and compassion (e.g., Psalm 145:8-9). Within this flow, verses 11-13 specifically focus on the glory and enduring nature of God's kingdom, culminating in the climactic declaration of its everlasting quality in verse 13. This verse transitions the psalm from general praise of God's character to a specific, emphatic affirmation of the eternal nature of His kingship, setting the stage for subsequent affirmations of His faithfulness and support for His people (e.g., Psalm 145:14).
Historical & Cultural Context: The ancient Near East was characterized by a constant flux of empires, with kings and dynasties rising and falling, often violently, demonstrating the inherent instability and transience of human power. Israel's own history, from the united monarchy under David and Solomon to its subsequent division, exile, and subjugation, provided ample evidence of the finite nature of earthly rule. Against this backdrop, David's declaration of Yahweh's "everlasting kingdom" and "dominion throughout all generations" would have been a profoundly counter-cultural and deeply reassuring truth. It starkly contrasted the fleeting reigns of human monarchs, often depicted in prophetic visions of transient empires, with the divine, eternal, and unshakable sovereignty of the God of Israel. While other cultures might have conceived of divine kings, the eternality, moral perfection, and active governance of Yahweh's rule set Him apart as uniquely worthy of ultimate trust and worship.
Key Themes:
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalms 145:13 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Synonymous Parallelism, where the second half of the verse, "and thy dominion [endureth] throughout all generations," echoes and reinforces the meaning of the first half, "Thy kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom." Both clauses express the same core truth—God's eternal and enduring rule—using different but closely related concepts ("kingdom" and "dominion," "everlasting" and "throughout all generations"), thereby intensifying the declaration and ensuring its comprehensive understanding. The Repetition of "kingdom" in the first clause also serves to emphasize the central theme of divine kingship and its inherent nature. Furthermore, the use of terms like "everlasting" and "throughout all generations" functions as a form of Hyperbole or Emphasis, stressing the absolute, boundless, and timeless nature of God's reign beyond any human comprehension of temporal limits. This verse, like the entire psalm, is also part of an Acrostic structure, which, while not strictly internal to the verse, contributes to the psalm's comprehensive and systematic praise of God's attributes, lending a sense of completeness and ordered majesty to the declaration of His eternal dominion.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 145:13 stands as a cornerstone for understanding the biblical doctrine of God's absolute and enduring sovereignty. It asserts that God's rule is not merely powerful but also perpetual, providing ultimate stability, meaning, and hope in a transient world. This truth undergirds the entire narrative of salvation history, from the creation of the cosmos to its ultimate consummation. It assures believers that divine purposes will ultimately prevail, regardless of earthly chaos, human opposition, or the rise and fall of nations. The eternal nature of God's kingdom means that His justice, love, and faithfulness are also eternal, offering an unshakable foundation for faith and hope. This verse connects deeply with the prophetic vision of God's ultimate triumph and the establishment of His perfect, everlasting rule, a theme that resonates throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The declaration of God's everlasting kingdom and enduring dominion in Psalms 145:13 offers profound comfort and significant challenges for daily living. In a world marked by constant change, political instability, economic uncertainty, and personal struggles, this verse serves as an immovable anchor for the soul. It reminds us that no earthly power, no human crisis, and no personal affliction can ultimately thwart the eternal purposes of God. This truth invites us to release anxieties rooted in transient circumstances and to place our ultimate trust in the One whose reign is unshakable and whose control is absolute. Practically, it calls us to live with an eternal perspective, aligning our priorities, actions, and aspirations with the values and mission of God's enduring kingdom. It encourages perseverance in faith, knowing that our efforts in serving God are not in vain but contribute to a reality that will never pass away, and that our ultimate security rests in His unshakeable throne.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "everlasting kingdom" truly mean in this context?
Answer: In Psalms 145:13, "everlasting kingdom" (Hebrew: malkûwth 'ôwlâm) signifies a kingdom that is not bound by the limitations of time, decay, or human succession. It means God's rule is eternal, without beginning or end, and not subject to the rise and fall that characterize all earthly empires. Unlike the temporary reigns of human kings, God's sovereignty is inherent, perpetual, and unchangeable. This concept is further developed in prophetic books, where God's kingdom is depicted as one that will never be destroyed or given to another people, but will stand forever, crushing all other kingdoms and enduring eternally.
How does "dominion throughout all generations" differ from "everlasting kingdom"?
Answer: While both phrases emphasize the eternal nature of God's rule, they offer complementary perspectives. "Everlasting kingdom" (malkûwth 'ôwlâm) primarily focuses on the timeless nature of God's reign—it is eternal in its essence, existing outside the constraints of time. "Dominion throughout all generations" (memshâlâh dôwr dôwr) highlights the active and continuous exercise of God's authority across the entire span of human history. It emphasizes that God's rule is not a static concept but an active, ongoing governance that extends to every age, from the past to the present and into the future. It underscores His faithfulness and active involvement in the affairs of humanity and creation throughout all time, as seen in His consistent dealings with His people from the covenant with Abraham to the present day.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 145:13 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the King of this everlasting kingdom and the very embodiment of God's eternal dominion. The angel Gabriel's prophecy to Mary explicitly declared that Jesus "will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end"—a direct echo and New Testament affirmation of the psalm's declaration. Through His incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus inaugurated this everlasting kingdom, demonstrating God's power over sin, death, and all earthly authorities. His resurrection marked the decisive victory, establishing Him as Lord of both the living and the dead and confirming His eternal reign. The dominion that endures throughout all generations is now actively exercised by Christ, who has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Believers are called to live as citizens of this present and future kingdom, participating in its expansion until the day when Christ fully consummates His reign and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ forever and ever. Thus, David's ancient praise of God's eternal rule finds its glorious and living reality in Jesus, the King eternal, who reigns for all time.