Psalms 145:19

KJV

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

KJV (with Strong's)

He will fulfil {H6213} the desire {H7522} of them that fear {H3373} him: he also will hear {H8085} their cry {H7775}, and will save {H3467} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

Berean Standard Bible

He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him; He hears their cry and saves them.

American Standard Version

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; He also will hear their cry and will save them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 145:19 is a profound declaration of God's unwavering attentiveness and responsive nature toward those who hold Him in reverent awe. It assures believers that their earnest, righteous desires will be brought to fruition, their heartfelt pleas will be heard, and their needs for deliverance and salvation will be comprehensively met by the Almighty. This verse encapsulates the intimate and active relationship God maintains with His faithful people, highlighting His power, compassion, and commitment to their well-being.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 145 stands as a magnificent acrostic psalm, attributed to King David, where each successive verse (or pair of verses in some traditions) begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet, systematically extolling God's attributes. This structure underscores the comprehensive and ordered nature of God's praise. Verse 19 is situated within a section (verses 14-20) that shifts from general praise of God's universal goodness to specific affirmations of His compassionate care and active intervention on behalf of the righteous and dependent. It directly follows [Psalms 145:18](/psalms/145-18 "Psalms 145:18 - God is Near to All Who Call on Him"), which states that "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth," providing a direct continuation of the theme of God's responsiveness to His people's cries. The psalm culminates in a universal call to bless God's holy name forever and ever, emphasizing His eternal reign and faithfulness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by King David, a shepherd, warrior, and king, this psalm reflects a deep personal relationship with God that was foundational to ancient Israelite faith. The concept of "fearing God" (yir’ah) was central to the Mosaic covenant and Israelite piety, signifying not terror, but a profound reverence, awe, and obedient submission to God's revealed will. In a culture where kings and deities were often distant or capricious, the psalmist presents Yahweh as a uniquely personal, accessible, and benevolent sovereign who actively engages with His people's prayers and needs. The act of "crying out" (shav’ah) was a common and urgent form of prayer in times of distress, reflecting a complete reliance on divine intervention. This cultural understanding of a covenantal relationship, where obedience and trust were met with divine favor and protection, forms the backdrop for the promises articulated in this verse.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 145:19 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Responsiveness**, portraying God as an attentive listener who is intimately involved in the lives of His people, ready to act on their behalf. Secondly, it highlights the **Importance of Reverence and Obedience**, emphasizing that God's promises are particularly for "them that fear him," signifying a relationship built on respectful submission and trust, as seen in [Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the LORD is the Beginning of Knowledge"). Thirdly, the verse reinforces the theme of **God's Saving Power and Faithfulness**, assuring that He "will save them," encompassing both immediate deliverance from trouble and ultimate spiritual salvation. This aligns with the consistent biblical portrayal of God as the ultimate deliverer and protector, a theme echoed throughout the [book of Psalms](/psalms/1 "The Book of Psalms - Songs of Praise and Lament").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fear (Hebrew, _yârêʼ'_):** Derived from the root meaning to be afraid, this term in a moral and spiritual context denotes a profound reverence, awe, and respectful submission to God. It signifies a right relationship with the divine, characterized by obedience and honor rather than mere terror. For those who possess this reverential fear, their desires are aligned with God's will, making them recipients of His favor.
* **desire (Hebrew, _râtsôwn'_):** This word indicates delight, favor, or good pleasure. In the context of those who fear God, it refers to the righteous longings and aspirations that are aligned with God's will, not selfish cravings. It implies a reciprocal relationship where God's pleasure is found in fulfilling the desires of His devoted ones, as these desires reflect His own good will.
* **save (Hebrew, _yâshaʻ'_):** A primitive root meaning to be open, wide, or free, implying safety. Causatively, it means to free or succor, encompassing deliverance, help, preservation, and rescue. This term highlights God's comprehensive power to intervene and bring salvation in various forms—physical, spiritual, and ultimate—for those who trust in Him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him":** This clause establishes a direct correlation between reverential fear of God and the fulfillment of one's desires. The "fear" (yârêʼ) is not a cowering dread but a deep, obedient awe that shapes one's will and longings. When desires (râtsôwn) are aligned with God's righteous character and purposes, He actively works to bring them to fruition, demonstrating His benevolent engagement with His faithful.
* **"he also will hear their cry":** This phrase emphasizes God's active attentiveness and receptivity to the earnest prayers and desperate pleas (shavʻâh) of His devoted followers. It portrays God as a compassionate listener, not distant or indifferent, but one who leans in to perceive and acknowledge the heartfelt expressions of His people, affirming the efficacy of prayer.
* **"and will save them":** This final promise underscores God's power and willingness to intervene and deliver. The act of "saving" (yâshaʻ) is comprehensive, encompassing rescue from danger, spiritual deliverance from sin, and ultimate, eternal salvation. It assures divine intervention and protection for those who belong to Him, highlighting His role as the ultimate rescuer and protector.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 145:19 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message of divine responsiveness. **Synonymous Parallelism** is evident in the successive clauses, where "fulfil the desire" is paralleled with "hear their cry" and "save them," each phrase reinforcing and expanding upon the central theme of God's active engagement and provision for His people. This repetition emphasizes the certainty and multifaceted nature of God's help. The use of **Anthropomorphism** is also prominent, as God is depicted with human-like qualities: He "hears" and "fulfills," making Him relatable and accessible to the human experience of prayer and longing. Furthermore, the verse uses **Emphasis** through its triple assurance, building from fulfilling desires to hearing cries and finally to saving, creating a powerful crescendo that highlights the comprehensive and unwavering nature of God's commitment to those who revere Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 145:19 profoundly reveals the character of God as intimately involved and deeply compassionate, challenging any notion of a distant or indifferent deity. It underscores His sovereignty, not merely as a ruler, but as a loving Father who actively attends to the needs and prayers of His children. The verse highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship: as humanity offers reverence and cries out in dependence, God responds with faithful provision and salvation. This divine responsiveness is rooted in His unwavering goodness and righteousness, assuring believers that their trust in Him is never misplaced. It teaches that true "fear of the Lord" is not a burden but a pathway to experiencing His abundant grace and power.

* [Psalms 37:4](/psalms/37-4 "Psalms 37:4 - Delight in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart")
* [Jeremiah 29:12-13](/jeremiah/29-12 "Jeremiah 29:12-13 - Call Upon Me and I Will Listen")
* [1 John 5:14-15](/1_john/5-14 "1 John 5:14-15 - Confidence in Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers immense encouragement and a clear blueprint for a thriving spiritual life. It teaches us that our relationship with God is not passive but dynamic, characterized by our reverence and His responsive power. For our desires to be fulfilled, they must first be shaped by a genuine "fear of the LORD"—a deep, abiding respect and obedience that aligns our will with His. When our longings mirror His righteous purposes, we can pray with confidence, knowing that He delights in meeting them. Furthermore, the assurance that He "will hear their cry" empowers us to bring every burden, every plea, and every desperate need before Him, knowing that no prayer is too small or insignificant for His attentive ear. This should ignite a fervent prayer life, marked by faith and persistence, as we trust in His comprehensive ability to "save" us from whatever challenges we face, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Ultimately, Psalms 145:19 calls us to a life of humble dependence and bold prayer, confident in the character of a God who is both mighty to save and intimately concerned with the well-being of His beloved children.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "fearing the Lord" truly mean in your daily life, beyond mere intellectual assent, and how does it shape your desires?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you currently "crying out" to God, and how does this verse encourage your persistence in prayer?**
* **How does the promise of God's comprehensive "salvation" impact your perspective on current challenges or future uncertainties?**

### FAQ
**What kind of "desire" does God promise to fulfill for those who fear Him?**

Answer: The "desire" (Hebrew: *râtsôwn*) God promises to fulfill is not any selfish or worldly craving, but rather the righteous longings and aspirations of those who genuinely "fear Him" (Hebrew: *yârêʼ*). This "fear" signifies a profound reverence, awe, and obedient submission to God, meaning their desires are aligned with His will and character. When our desires are purified and shaped by God's Spirit, reflecting His good pleasure, then we can be confident that He will bring them to fruition, as [Psalms 37:4](/psalms/37-4 "Psalms 37:4 - Delight in the LORD") encourages us to "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

**Does God always "save" us from every difficulty, or is there a deeper meaning to "save them"?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "save" (*yâshaʻ*) is a broad term encompassing deliverance, help, preservation, and rescue. While God certainly can and often does provide physical and immediate rescue from difficulties, the term also carries a deeper, comprehensive meaning. It refers to God's ultimate power to deliver from sin, spiritual bondage, and eternal death. Therefore, "He will save them" speaks to God's complete ability to bring about salvation in all its forms—physical, emotional, and spiritual—according to His perfect will and timing. This ultimate salvation is most fully realized in Christ, as highlighted in [Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 145:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the quintessential one who perfectly "feared" the Lord, living a life of absolute obedience and reverence to the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience unto Death")). In Him, the righteous desires of God's heart for humanity—to redeem, restore, and reconcile—were perfectly fulfilled. Furthermore, Jesus Himself was the one who "cried out" to the Father in His deepest anguish, notably in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:44](/luke/22-44 "Luke 22:44 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane")) and on the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry on the Cross")), and the Father "heard" His cry, raising Him from the dead ([Acts 2:24](/acts/2-24 "Acts 2:24 - God Raised Jesus from the Dead")). Through Christ, God's promise to "save them" is definitively realized. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offering not just temporary deliverance but eternal salvation to all who believe in Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God So Loved the World")). Thus, in Christ, we find the perfect example of one who feared God, whose cries were heard, and through whom God's saving power is fully extended to all who call upon His name.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 37:4

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Ephesians 3:16

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

Ephesians 3:20

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

John 15:7

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Matthew 5:6

Blessed [are] they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

1 John 5:15

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Psalms 91:15

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.