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Commentary on Psalms 145 verses 1–9
The entitling of this David's psalm of praise may intimate not only that he was the penman of it, but that he took a particular pleasure in it and sung it often; it was his companion wherever he went. In this former part of the psalm God's glorious attributes are praised, as, in the latter part of the psalm, his kingdom and the administration of it. Observe,
I. Who shall be employed in giving glory to God.
1.Whatever others do, the psalmist will himself be much in praising God. To this good work he here excites himself, engages himself, and has his heart much enlarged in it. What he does, that he will do, having more and more satisfaction in it. It was his duty; it was his delight. Observe, (1.) How he expresses the work itself: "I will extol thee, and bless thy name (Psa 145:1); I will speak well of thee, as thou hast made thyself known, and will therein express my own high thoughts of thee and endeavour to raise the like in others." When we speak honourably of God, this is graciously interpreted and accepted as an extolling of him. Again (Psa 145:2): I will bless thee, I will praise thy name; the repetition intimates the fervency of his affection to this work, the fixedness of his purpose to abound in it, and the frequency of his performances therein. Again (Psa 145:5): I will speak of thy honour, and (Psa 145:6) I will declare thy greatness. He would give glory to God, not only in his solemn devotions, but in his common conversation. If the heart be full of God, out of the abundance of that the mouth will speak with reverence, to his praise, upon all occasions. What subject of discourse can we find more noble, more copious, more pleasant, useful, and unexceptionable, than the glory of God? (2.) How he expresses his resolution to persevere in it. [1.] He will be constant to this work: Every day will I bless thee. Praising God must be our daily work. No day must pass, though ever so busy a day, though ever so sorrowful a day, without praising God. We ought to reckon it the most needful of our daily employments, and the most delightful of our daily comforts. God is every day blessing us, doing well for us; there is therefore reason that we should be every day blessing him, speaking well of him. [2.] He will continue in it: I will bless thee for ever and ever, Psa 145:1 and again Psa 145:2. This intimates, First, That he resolved to continue in this work to the end of his life, throughout his ever in this world. Secondly, That the psalms he penned should be made use of in praising God by the church to the end of time, Ch2 29:30. Thirdly, That he hoped to be praising God to all eternity in the other world. Those that make praise their constant work on earth shall have it their everlasting bliss in heaven.
2.He doubts not but others also would be forward to this work. (1.) "They shall concur in it now; they shall join with me in it: When I declare thy greatness men shall speak of it (Psa 145:6); they shall abundantly utter it" (Psa 145:7), or pour it out (as the word is); they shall praise God with a gracious fluency, better than the most curious oratory. David's zeal would provoke many, and it has done so. (2.) "They shall keep it up when I am gone, in an uninterrupted succession (Psa 145:4): One generation shall praise thy works to another." The generation that is going off shall tell them to that which is rising up, shall tell what they have seen in their days and what they have heard from their fathers; they shall fully and particularly declare thy mighty acts (Psa 78:3); and the generation that is rising up shall follow the example of that which is going off: so that the death of God's worshippers shall be no diminution of his worship, for a new generation shall rise up in their room to carry on that good work, more or less, to the end of time, when it shall be left to that world to do it in which there is no succession of generations.
II. What we must give to God the glory of.
1.Of his greatness and his great works. We must declare, Great is the Lord, his presence infinite, his power irresistible, his brightness insupportable, his majesty awful, his dominion boundless, and his sovereignty incontestable; and therefore there is no dispute, but great is the Lord, and, if great, then greatly to be praised, with all that is within us, to the utmost of our power, and with all the circumstances of solemnity imaginable. His greatness indeed cannot be comprehended, for it is unsearchable; who can conceive or express how great God is? But then it is so much the more to be praised. When we cannot, by searching, find the bottom, we must sit down at the brink, and adore the depth, Rom 11:33. God is great, for, (1.) His majesty is glorious in the upper world, above the heavens, where he has set his glory; and when we are declaring his greatness we must not fail to speak of the glorious honour of his majesty, the splendour of the glory of his majesty (Psa 145:5), how brightly he shines in the upper world, so as to dazzle the eyes of the angels themselves, and oblige them to cover their faces, as unable to bear the lustre of it. (2.) His works are wondrous in this lower world. The preservation, maintenance, and government of all the creatures, proclaim the Creator very great. When therefore we declare his greatness we must observe the unquestionable proofs of it, and must declare his mighty acts (Psa 145:4), speak of his wondrous works (Psa 145:5), the might of his terrible acts, Psa 145:6. We must see God acting and working in all the affairs of this lower world. Various instruments are used, but in all events God is the supreme director; it is he that performs all things. Much of his power is seen in the operations of his providence (they are mighty acts, such as cannot be paralleled by the strength of any creature), and much of his justice - they are terrible acts, awful to saints, dreadful to sinners. These we should take all occasions to speak of, observing the finger of God, his hand, his arm, in all, that we may marvel.
2.Of his goodness; this is his glory, Exo 33:19. It is what he glories in (Exo 34:6, Exo 34:7), and it is what we must give him the glory of: They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, Psa 145:7. God's goodness is great goodness, the treasures of it can never be exhausted, nay, they can never be lessened, for he ever will be as rich in mercy as he ever was. It is memorable goodness; it is what we ought always to lay before us, always to have in mind and preserve the memorials of, for it is worthy to be had in everlasting remembrance; and the remembrance we retain of God's goodness we should utter, we should abundantly utter, as those who are full of it, very full of it, and desire that others may be acquainted and affected with it. But, whenever we utter God's great goodness, we must not forget, at the same time, to sing of his righteousness; for, as he is gracious in rewarding those that serve him faithfully, so he is righteous in punishing those that rebel against him. Impartial and inflexible justice is as surely in God as inexhaustible goodness; and we must sing of both together, Rom 11:22. (1.) There is a fountain of goodness in God's nature (Psa 145:8): The Lord is gracious to those that serve him; he is full of compassion to those that need him, slow to anger to those that have offended him, and of great mercy to all that seek him and sue to him. he is ready to give, and ready to forgive, more ready than we are to ask, than we are to repent. (2.) There are streams of goodness in all the dispensations of his providence, Psa 145:9. As he is good, so he does good; he is good to all, to all his creatures, from the highest angel to the meanest worm, to all but devils and damned sinners, that have shut themselves out from his goodness. His tender mercies are over all his works. [1.] All his works, all his creatures, receive the fruits of his merciful care and bounty. It is extended to them all; he hates nothing that he has made. [2.] The works of his mercy out-shine all his other works, and declare him more than any of them. In nothing will the glory of God be for ever so illustrious as in the vessels of mercy ordained to glory. To the divine goodness will the everlasting hallelujahs of all the saints be sung.
I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.
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SUMMARY
Psalm 145:5 is a profound declaration by King David, expressing his unwavering commitment to publicly articulate and celebrate the inherent splendor of God's character alongside the awe-inspiring nature of His actions. This verse encapsulates a foundational theme of the Psalter: the active, intentional, and public proclamation of God's supreme worthiness, drawing worshipers to contemplate both His majestic being and His miraculous deeds in the world. It serves as a personal vow of praise, inviting all to join in extolling the Almighty.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 145:5 employs several literary devices to enhance its impact and meaning. The most prominent is Parallelism, specifically synonymous or perhaps complementary parallelism, where "the glorious honour of thy majesty" is balanced by "thy wondrous works." This pairing highlights two distinct yet interconnected facets of God: His inherent, majestic being and His active, powerful deeds. The psalmist commits to speaking of both, indicating a holistic understanding of divine revelation. This creates a comprehensive scope for praise, encompassing both who God is and what God does. Another device at play is Hyperbole, as the terms "glorious," "honour," "majesty," and "wondrous" are used to convey the immeasurable and transcendent nature of God's attributes and actions, suggesting that human language can barely capture their full extent. The personal declaration "I will speak" functions as a Vow or a Solemn Resolution, emphasizing the psalmist's deep commitment and intentionality in worship. Finally, the verse, as part of an Acrostic Psalm, contributes to the overall literary artistry and mnemonic quality of Psalm 145, suggesting a comprehensive and ordered approach to praising God from A to Z.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 145:5 articulates a fundamental theological truth: God reveals Himself in two primary ways—through His intrinsic character and through His active engagement with creation. The "glorious honour of thy majesty" speaks to God's transcendence, His unapproachable light, and His inherent sovereignty as the King of the universe, worthy of worship simply for who He is. This aspect draws our attention to His holiness, omnipotence, and eternal nature. Conversely, "thy wondrous works" highlights God's immanence, His active presence in the world, and His powerful interventions in history and in individual lives. These works demonstrate His wisdom, goodness, faithfulness, and redemptive power. The psalmist's commitment to speak of both aspects underscores that true worship is a holistic response to the full revelation of God, encompassing both adoration for His being and awe at His deeds. This dual focus ensures that our understanding of God is neither abstractly philosophical nor merely pragmatic, but deeply rooted in both His glorious essence and His tangible acts of love and power.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 145:5 serves as a timeless blueprint for personal and communal worship, challenging believers to move beyond passive appreciation to active, vocal proclamation of God's greatness. David's "I will speak" is a powerful call to intentionality in our praise. It encourages us to cultivate a heart that not only recognizes but articulates the "glorious honour" of God's majesty—His inherent worthiness, His supreme authority, and His matchless splendor. This requires thoughtful meditation on His attributes, allowing His character to shape our understanding and deepen our reverence. Simultaneously, we are called to reflect on and declare His "wondrous works"—the countless ways He has intervened in history, in the world, and in our personal lives. From the grandeur of creation to the intimate details of His providence, these tangible demonstrations of His power and love fuel our testimony. This verse compels us to consider how our lives, both privately and publicly, can become a living testament to God's glory, inspiring others to behold and declare His matchless worth.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is vocal proclamation of God's praise so important in the Bible?
Answer: Vocal proclamation, as seen in Psalm 145:5, is crucial because it transforms internal appreciation into outward testimony. It serves multiple purposes: it honors God publicly, fulfilling the command to declare His glory among the nations; it builds up the community of faith, as shared testimonies encourage and strengthen fellow believers; and it acts as an evangelistic witness to the world, revealing God's character and deeds to those who do not yet know Him. It is an active expression of faith and a demonstration of God's transformative power in a believer's life, echoing the call to offer a sacrifice of praise.
What is the distinction between "majesty" and "wondrous works" in this verse?
Answer: The distinction lies in two facets of God's revelation. "Majesty" refers to God's inherent, intrinsic attributes—who He is in His very being. It speaks of His supreme sovereignty, His divine splendor, and His unchangeable, glorious character. It is about His essence and worthiness. "Wondrous works," on the other hand, refers to God's actions and deeds—what He does. These are His powerful, miraculous, and astonishing interventions in creation, history, and individual lives. While distinct, they are intrinsically linked: God's works flow from His character, and His character is revealed through His works. The verse calls us to praise both His being and His doing, offering a comprehensive understanding of divine greatness.
Is Psalm 145 truly an acrostic psalm, and why is the letter Nun sometimes missing?
Answer: Yes, Psalm 145 is indeed an alphabetic acrostic, where each verse (or pair of verses) typically begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This literary device was common in Hebrew poetry, aiding memorization and signifying completeness. However, it is true that the verse beginning with the Hebrew letter Nun is missing in the Masoretic Text (the standard Hebrew text of the Old Testament). While the exact reason for its omission is unknown, it is present in some ancient versions, such as the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) and the Dead Sea Scrolls (specifically 11Q5, the Great Psalms Scroll). The inclusion of this verse in other ancient manuscripts suggests it may have been part of the original composition, though its absence in the Masoretic Text remains a textual puzzle.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 145:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent revelation of God's "glorious honour and majesty." As the radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature, Jesus perfectly embodies the divine splendor that David longed to speak of. In Him, the invisible God is made visible (Colossians 1:15), allowing humanity to behold the very "glory, as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Furthermore, Jesus's entire earthly ministry is a testament to God's "wondrous works." His miracles—healing the sick, casting out demons, calming storms, raising the dead—were not merely acts of compassion but powerful demonstrations of divine authority and the finger of God at work. His death on the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension are the ultimate "wondrous works" of salvation history, revealing God's unfathomable love and power to redeem humanity from sin and death (Romans 5:8). Therefore, when believers today "speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works," our praise is inherently Christ-centered, for it is through Him that we know God's majesty, and it is in Him that God's most wondrous works of redemption have been accomplished. Our eternal worship will be directed to the Lamb who was slain, who perfectly embodies both the glorious majesty and the wondrous works of God.