Psalms 145:3

KJV

Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness [is] unsearchable.

KJV (with Strong's)

Great {H1419} is the LORD {H3068}, and greatly {H3966} to be praised {H1984}; and his greatness {H1420} is unsearchable {H2714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Great is ADONAI and greatly to be praised; his greatness is beyond all searching out.

Berean Standard Bible

Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; His greatness is unsearchable.

American Standard Version

Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 145:3 is a profound declaration of Yahweh's infinite majesty, asserting His unparalleled greatness as the foundational truth that demands and inspires boundless praise from all creation. This verse encapsulates the core message of the psalm, presenting God's inherent, immeasurable nature as the singular and compelling reason for all worship and adoration, setting the tone for a comprehensive anthem dedicated to extolling His supreme and incomprehensible character.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 145 holds a unique position as the only psalm explicitly titled "A Psalm of Praise. Of David" (Hebrew: *Tehillah l'David*), a designation from which the entire book of Psalms (*Tehillim*, "Praises") derives its name. This underscores its primary purpose as an anthem of adoration. The psalm is structured as an acrostic, with each verse (or pair of verses) typically beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, signifying an exhaustive and all-encompassing praise of God's attributes. While the letter *nun* (נ) is notably absent in the Masoretic Text (though present in some ancient versions like the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls), the overall structure points to a comprehensive declaration of God's character, moving from His greatness and power to His goodness, faithfulness, and compassion. Verse 3, with its immediate focus on the Lord's unparalleled majesty, serves as a foundational statement, providing the ultimate reason for the effusive praise that unfolds throughout the subsequent verses, such as the declaration of God's kingdom and dominion in [Psalms 145:11-13](/psalms/145-11-13 "Psalms 145:11-13 - God's Everlasting Kingdom").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by King David, a figure central to Israel's worship tradition and renowned as "a man after God's own heart," Psalm 145 reflects the staunch monotheistic worldview of ancient Israel. In stark contrast to the polytheistic nations surrounding them, Israel worshipped one supreme God, Yahweh (the LORD), understood as the Creator and Sustainer of all things, distinct from and infinitely superior to all other deities. David's reign marked a period of national consolidation and significant religious devotion, where the worship of Yahweh was integral to national identity and well-being. This psalm would have been a vital component of public worship, likely performed in the tabernacle or, later, in the Temple, where the community gathered to declare God's greatness and recount His mighty acts. The emphasis on God's "unsearchable" greatness would have profoundly distinguished Yahweh from the limited, often capricious gods of surrounding cultures, highlighting His transcendence and infinite wisdom, a theme powerfully echoed throughout the prophetic tradition, particularly in [Isaiah 40](/isaiah/40 "Isaiah 40 - The Comfort of the Lord").
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 145:3 introduces several profound themes that resonate throughout the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. The opening affirmation, "Great [is] the LORD," asserts God's inherent majesty, omnipotence, and ultimate authority over all creation. He is not merely great among others but supremely great, beyond any comparison or rival. This theme of **The Lord's Unparalleled Greatness** is further developed in the psalm's descriptions of God's mighty acts and awesome deeds, as seen in [Psalms 145:4](/psalms/145-4 "Psalms 145:4 - Generations Declare God's Works"). Because of His incomparable greatness, the Lord is "greatly to be praised." This is not an optional response but a necessary and overflowing expression of adoration from His creation, establishing **The Imperative of Praise**. His character inherently demands and deserves boundless worship, implying an enthusiastic, continuous, and widespread declaration of His worth from all who acknowledge His sovereignty. This call to praise permeates the entire book of Psalms, culminating in the final psalm's exhortation in [Psalms 150:6](/psalms/150-6 "Psalms 150:6 - Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the LORD"). Finally, the phrase "his greatness [is] unsearchable" highlights the profound mystery and infinite depth of God, underscoring **God's Incomprehensible Nature**. While humanity can know God intimately and experience His attributes, His infinite nature, wisdom, and power are ultimately beyond the full grasp of human intellect. This unsearchability inspires awe, humility, and perpetual wonder, reminding believers that there are always new depths of His being to explore without ever fully comprehending His boundless essence. This concept resonates deeply with other biblical affirmations of God's infinite understanding, as declared in [Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "Isaiah 40:28 - God's Everlasting and Unsearchable Understanding") and echoed by Paul's doxology in [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Unsearchable Riches of God's Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Great (Hebrew, _gâdôwl'_):** This word (H1419) signifies more than mere size; it denotes importance, power, and majesty. It describes something vast, mighty, significant, and noble. When applied to the LORD, it speaks to His supreme authority, boundless power, and incomparable dignity, establishing Him as preeminent above all.
* **Praised (Hebrew, _hâlal'_):** This primitive root (H1984) is the origin of "Hallelujah" and means to be clear (originally of sound, but usually of color), to shine, hence, to make a show, to boast, or to celebrate. It implies an active, enthusiastic, and often public declaration of worth, admiration, and glory. It suggests a joyful, even boisterous, expression of God's excellencies, rather than a mere quiet acknowledgment.
* **Unsearchable (Hebrew, _chêqer'_):** Derived from the root *ḥāqar* meaning "to examine" or "to investigate," this term (H2714) refers to something that cannot be explored, investigated, or fully comprehended. It conveys the idea of an infinite depth that human inquiry or understanding cannot exhaust. God's greatness is so immense that it defies complete human exploration or definition, inspiring awe and humility.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Great [is] the LORD":** This opening clause is a declarative statement of God's inherent nature. It establishes Yahweh (H3068, *Yᵉhôvâh*, the self-existent or eternal God) as supremely great in every conceivable dimension—power, majesty, wisdom, and being. This greatness is not conferred but intrinsic to His divine essence, a fundamental truth about His identity.
* **"and greatly to be praised":** This clause presents the logical and necessary consequence of the Lord's greatness. Because He is so utterly great, He is worthy of praise that is commensurate with His infinite nature. The adverb "greatly" (H3966, *mᵉʼôd*, meaning vehemently, wholly, exceedingly) intensifies the imperative for praise, suggesting that our adoration should be as boundless and enthusiastic as His greatness is immeasurable, a response of profound and unreserved worship.
* **"and his greatness [is] unsearchable":** This final clause provides the profound reason for the unending nature of God's praise. His "greatness" (H1420, *gᵉdûwlâh*, referring to majesty or mighty acts) is beyond human comprehension or exhaustive investigation. It implies that no matter how much we explore or understand God, there will always be infinite depths of His being, wisdom, and power that remain beyond our full grasp, ensuring that our praise can never fully exhaust His worth and that there is always more to discover and adore.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 145:3 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological message. The most prominent is **Emphasis through Repetition and Intensification**: the word "great" (H1419, *gâdôwl*) appears twice, first as an adjective describing the LORD, and then its related noun "greatness" (H1420, *gᵉdûwlâh*) is used to describe His unsearchable quality. This repetition, coupled with the adverb "greatly" (H3966, *mᵉʼôd*), creates a powerful crescendo, underscoring the infinite scale of God's majesty and the required response of worship. The phrase "greatly to be praised" functions as a **Divine Imperative**, not merely a suggestion, but a necessary and fitting response to God's inherent nature, implying that His very being demands such a response. Furthermore, the concept of God's "unsearchable" greatness utilizes **Hyperbole** to convey the ineffable and transcendent nature of the divine, emphasizing that God's being surpasses all human capacity for full comprehension or exploration. This hyperbole evokes **Awe** and humility in the worshipper, preventing any attempt to confine God within human limitations and fostering a perpetual sense of wonder.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 145:3 is a foundational statement for understanding the nature of God and the appropriate human response. Theologically, it underscores God's **transcendence**—His absolute otherness and superiority to all creation—while simultaneously inviting **immanence** through the act of praise. His "unsearchable" greatness means He cannot be fully grasped or contained by human intellect, yet He reveals Himself sufficiently for us to know and worship Him. This paradox of divine revelation and hiddenness fosters humility and perpetual wonder in the believer. The call to "greatly to be praised" is a theological imperative, rooted in God's intrinsic worth, not in human need or benefit. It positions worship not as an optional religious activity, but as the natural and highest response to the One who is infinitely worthy, reflecting His absolute sovereignty and unique position as the only true God.

* [Deuteronomy 10:17](/deuteronomy/10-17 "Deuteronomy 10:17 - The Great, Mighty, and Awesome God")
* [Jeremiah 32:17](/jeremiah/32-17 "Jeremiah 32:17 - Nothing is Too Difficult for the Lord")
* [Revelation 4:11](/revelation/4-11 "Revelation 4:11 - Worthy Are You, Our Lord and God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This profound declaration in Psalms 145:3 calls believers to a deeper, more expansive, and more humble posture of worship. Recognizing God's "unsearchable" greatness should liberate us from attempting to confine Him within our limited understanding or theological frameworks. Instead, it should cultivate a spirit of constant wonder, awe, and intellectual humility, knowing that there are infinite depths of His being yet to be discovered and adored. Our praise, therefore, should be proportionate to His greatness—"greatly to be praised"—reflecting an active, joyful, and awe-filled response that acknowledges His boundless majesty. This verse encourages us to continually seek to know Him more, while simultaneously resting in the mystery of His infinite nature, allowing His unsearchable greatness to inspire rather than frustrate our pursuit of Him. It reminds us that true worship is an unending journey of discovery, where each new revelation of His character deepens our adoration and expands our capacity for praise, moving us from a superficial appreciation to a profound, lifelong devotion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the "unsearchable" nature of God's greatness impact your personal understanding of Him and your approach to prayer and worship?**
* **In what practical ways can you "greatly praise" the Lord in your daily life, moving beyond mere words to a life of adoration?**
* **What specific attributes of God's greatness have you experienced or observed recently that inspire you to praise Him more profoundly?**

### FAQ
**Why is God's greatness described as 'unsearchable'?**

Answer: God's greatness is described as "unsearchable" because His attributes—His power, wisdom, love, justice, and holiness—are infinite and beyond the full comprehension of finite human minds. This term (Hebrew *chêqer*) implies that His being cannot be fully explored, investigated, or exhausted by human inquiry. It speaks to His transcendence and mystery, reminding us that while we can know God truly through His revelation (like in [John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Whoever Has Seen Me Has Seen the Father")), we can never know Him exhaustively. This unsearchability is not a barrier to relationship but an invitation to perpetual wonder and worship, fostering humility and awe in the face of His boundless nature, as expressed in [Romans 11:33](/romans/11-33 "Romans 11:33 - The Depth of the Riches and Wisdom and Knowledge of God").

**What does it mean to 'greatly praise' the Lord?**

Answer: To "greatly praise" the Lord means to offer Him adoration that is commensurate with His infinite greatness. The Hebrew word *mᵉʼôd* (greatly) suggests an intense, vehement, and comprehensive form of praise. It implies that our praise should be enthusiastic, wholehearted, and unreserved, reflecting the boundless majesty of God. This isn't just about volume or frequency, but about the depth of our heart's response. It encompasses acknowledging His character, recounting His mighty deeds (as David does throughout [Psalms 145](/psalms/145 "Psalms 145 - A Psalm of Praise")), expressing gratitude, and living a life that honors Him. It's a call to let our entire being resonate with His worthiness, much like the heavenly beings who continually declare His holiness in [Revelation 4:8](/revelation/4-8 "Revelation 4:8 - Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord God Almighty").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 145:3, with its declaration of God's unsearchable greatness and His worthiness of immense praise, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament reveals God's greatness through creation, law, and mighty acts, it is in Christ that the "unsearchable" greatness of God is made uniquely knowable and accessible to humanity. Jesus, being the [image of the invisible God](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God"), fully embodies the divine greatness that David praises. Through His incarnation, life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, the infinite power, wisdom, and love of God are perfectly displayed. The "greatness" of the Father, which is "unsearchable," is perfectly revealed in the Son, who is the [radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory"). Therefore, the call to "greatly praise" the Lord extends supremely to Christ, for [at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10 - Every Knee Shall Bow to Jesus"), acknowledging His supreme authority and worthiness. In Him, the unsearchable depths of God's grace and truth are revealed, inviting an eternal and ever-deepening praise that will never exhaust the glory of the [Lamb of God who sits on the throne](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - Worthy is the Lamb").

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 147:5

Great [is] our Lord, and of great power: his understanding [is] infinite.

Romans 11:33

¶ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Job 5:9

Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:

Isaiah 40:28

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that] the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is] no searching of his understanding.

Job 9:10

Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.

Psalms 139:6

[Such] knowledge [is] too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot [attain] unto it.

Psalms 48:1

¶ A Song [and] Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great [is] the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, [in] the mountain of his holiness.