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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.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 145:17 presents a profound declaration of God's intrinsic moral perfection, asserting that the LORD's entire character and every action are immutably aligned with absolute justice and purity. This verse, a jewel within an expansive psalm of praise, offers deep assurance to all who seek Him, affirming that divine righteousness and holiness are not merely attributes God possesses, but rather the very essence of His being, consistently manifested in all His interactions with creation and humanity throughout history.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs Parallelism, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry, where the two clauses "righteous in all his ways" and "holy in all his works" mirror and reinforce each other. This specific type is often called Synonymous Parallelism, where the second line reiterates or elaborates on the first, deepening the meaning. "Ways" (God's character and principles) and "works" (His specific deeds) are complementary aspects of His being, while "righteous" and "holy" are intertwined attributes of His moral perfection. This parallelism provides a comprehensive and emphatic affirmation of God's consistent moral excellence. Additionally, the phrase "all his ways" and "all his works" utilizes Hyperbole to emphasize the absolute and universal scope of God's righteousness and holiness, leaving no aspect of His being or activity outside this perfect standard, thereby underscoring His complete and unblemished perfection.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 145:17 is a cornerstone for understanding the immutable character of God. It assures us that God's actions are never arbitrary, capricious, or unjust, but are always rooted in His perfect nature. This consistency provides the bedrock for faith, allowing believers to trust God even when His purposes are unclear or His dealings seem difficult. The verse underscores divine sovereignty, revealing a God whose power is always exercised with integrity and whose love is always pure. This truth serves as a profound comfort, reminding us that even in suffering or confusion, God's ultimate design is good and righteous, reflecting His unchanging attributes. It also sets a divine standard for humanity, calling us to reflect His righteousness and holiness in our own lives and actions.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of Psalms 145:17 offers an unshakable foundation for our trust in God, especially in a world often marked by injustice and moral ambiguity. When we encounter trials, suffering, or seemingly inexplicable circumstances, this verse reminds us that God's character remains perfectly righteous and holy. We can rest in the assurance that His plans, though sometimes mysterious to us, are always aligned with His perfect nature and ultimately aim for our good and His glory. This understanding inspires not only trust but also deep worship, as we recognize a God who is utterly faultless and worthy of all adoration. Furthermore, this verse serves as a powerful call to personal transformation. As image-bearers of God and followers of Christ, we are exhorted to pursue righteousness and holiness in our own "ways" and "works," striving to reflect His character in our daily lives, decisions, and interactions. This pursuit is not born of a need to earn favor, but out of a grateful response to the One who is perfectly just and pure.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the repetition of "all" in "all his ways" and "all his works"?
Answer: The repetition of "all" (כָּל, kol) is crucial for emphasizing the absolute and comprehensive nature of God's righteousness and holiness. It signifies that these attributes are not partial, occasional, or limited to certain aspects of His being or activity. Instead, they permeate every single decision, action, principle, and interaction of God. This universality provides immense assurance, as it means there is no situation or circumstance where God acts outside of His perfect justice and purity. It underscores His unwavering consistency and reliability, a theme often found in scripture, such as in the declaration that the LORD does not change.
How does Psalms 145:17 relate to the problem of evil or suffering in the world?
Answer: While Psalms 145:17 does not directly explain the origin of evil or suffering, it provides a foundational theological framework for understanding God's posture towards it. By declaring God as "righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works," the verse assures us that God is never the author of evil, nor does He act unjustly or maliciously. Any suffering or evil in the world does not contradict His perfect character. Instead, this verse implies that God, in His righteousness and holiness, is actively working to bring about justice and redemption, even amidst brokenness. It encourages us to trust His ultimate purposes, knowing that His character remains untainted and His actions are always just, even when His methods are beyond our full comprehension, as seen in the broader narrative of Job where God's ultimate justice prevails despite human suffering.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 145:17 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As the incarnate Son of God, Jesus perfectly embodied the righteousness and holiness of the Father in "all His ways" and "all His works." His earthly life was a flawless demonstration of divine justice and moral purity, from His teachings that exposed sin and called for repentance, to His compassionate acts of healing and deliverance. Every word He spoke and every deed He performed was perfectly aligned with God's righteous character, revealing the Father to humanity, as He Himself declared, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father". The pinnacle of this fulfillment is seen in His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Here, God's righteousness was both demanded and satisfied: sin, which violates God's holy standard, was justly condemned, while God's holiness was upheld through the perfect, sinless offering of Christ. This act of redemption, where the righteous died for the unrighteous, perfectly reconciles divine justice with divine mercy, demonstrating that God is both "just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus". Thus, in Christ, we see the living embodiment of Psalms 145:17, the One whose entire being and redemptive mission flawlessly declare the LORD to be righteous in all His ways and holy in all His works.