Psalms 145:4

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

One {H1755} generation {H1755} shall praise {H7623} thy works {H4639} to another, and shall declare {H5046} thy mighty acts {H1369}.

Each generation will praise your works to the next and proclaim your mighty acts.

One generation will commend Your works to the next, and will proclaim Your mighty acts—

One generation shall laud thy works to another, And shall declare thy mighty acts.

Commentary

Psalm 145:4 speaks to the vital responsibility of transmitting the knowledge and praise of God from one generation to the next. It highlights the enduring nature of God's character and actions, which deserve continuous adoration and proclamation.

Context

Psalm 145 is a magnificent psalm of praise attributed to King David. It is an acrostic psalm, meaning each verse (or pair of verses) generally begins with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, showcasing a comprehensive and ordered declaration of God's attributes. This particular verse, Psalm 145:4, introduces the theme of generational continuity in worship, building upon the previous verses that extol God's greatness and majesty (e.g., Psalm 145:3).

Key Themes

  • Generational Transmission of Faith: The verse emphasizes the duty and privilege of believers to pass on their understanding and experience of God to future generations. This ensures that the legacy of faith remains vibrant and active.
  • God's Works and Mighty Acts: The focus of this intergenerational teaching is not merely abstract theology but concrete demonstrations of God's power and faithfulness. "Thy works" (Hebrew: ma'aseh) refers to His creative acts and providential care, while "thy mighty acts" (Hebrew: gevuroth) points to His powerful interventions in history, His miracles, and His strength.
  • Active Declaration and Praise: It's not enough for one generation to simply know about God; they are called to "praise" (Hebrew: shabach - to laud, celebrate) and "declare" (Hebrew: nagad - to make known, announce) His deeds. This implies an active, vocal, and intentional sharing of testimony and worship.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words used convey a powerful sense of active and continuous proclamation. Shabach (שָבַח) for "praise" suggests a loud, boisterous celebration, indicating an enthusiastic and public acknowledgment of God's goodness. Gevuroth (גֶבׁורּות) for "mighty acts" highlights God's strength and power, often referring to His miraculous interventions or acts of judgment and salvation. These terms reinforce the idea that God's actions are not to be quietly appreciated but boldly declared.

Related Scriptures

The concept of passing down faith and the knowledge of God's deeds is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. For instance, Deuteronomy 6:7 instructs parents to diligently teach their children God's commands, and Psalm 78:4 speaks of not hiding God's praise from the coming generation, but rather declaring His strength and wonderful works.

Practical Application

This verse provides a powerful call to action for believers today. It underscores the importance of intentional discipleship within families and the wider church community. Parents and spiritual mentors are encouraged to share their personal testimonies of God's faithfulness, recount biblical narratives of His mighty acts, and model a life of praise. This ensures that the next generation not only inherits a faith tradition but experiences a living, vibrant relationship with the God who continues to perform mighty works. It reminds us that our worship and testimony are not just for ourselves but for the benefit and spiritual formation of those who will follow.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 78:3

    Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

  • Psalms 78:7

    That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

  • Psalms 71:18

    Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto [this] generation, [and] thy power to every one [that] is to come.

  • Deuteronomy 6:7

    And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

  • Isaiah 38:19

    The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I [do] this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

  • Psalms 44:1

    ¶ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, [what] work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

  • Psalms 44:2

    [How] thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, and plantedst them; [how] thou didst afflict the people, and cast them out.