Psalms145
New International Version
1 I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
5 They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
6 They tell of the power of your awesome works— and I will proclaim your great deeds.
7 They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
8 The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
9 The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.
10 All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you.
11 They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
12 so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
14 The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.
17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
18 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
21 My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.
Study
Psalms 145Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 145. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: David extols the power, goodness, and mercy of the Lord. (1–9). The glory of God's kingdom, and his care of those that love him. (10–21).
vv1-9
Those who, under troubles and temptations, abound in fervent prayer, shall in due season abound in grateful praise, which is the true language of holy joy. Especially we should speak of God's wondrous work of redemption, while we declare his greatness. For no deliverance of the Israelites, nor the punishment of sinners, so clearly proclaims the justice of God, as the cross of Christ exhibits it to the enlightened mind. It may be truly said of our Lord Jesus Christ, that his words are words of goodness and grace; his works are works of goodness and grace. He is full of compassion; hence he came into the world to save sinners. When on earth, he showed his compassion both to the bodies and souls of men, by healing the one, and making wise the other. He is of great mercy, a merciful High Priest, through whom God is merciful to sinners.
vv10-21
All God's works show forth his praises. He satisfies the desire of every living thing, except the unreasonable children of men, who are satisfied with nothing. He does good to all the children of men; his own people in a special manner. Many children of God, who have been ready to fall into sin, to fall into despair, have tasted his goodness in preventing their falls, or recovering them speedily by his graces and comforts. And with respect to all that are heavy laden under the burden of sin, if they come to Christ by faith, he will ease them, he will raise them. He is very ready to hear and answer the prayers of his people. He is present every where; but in a special way he is nigh to them, as he is not to others. He is in their hearts, and dwells there by faith, and they dwell in him. He is nigh to those that call upon him, to help them in all times of need. He will be nigh to them, that they may have what they ask, and find what they seek, if they call upon him in truth and sincerity. And having taught men to love his name and holy ways, he will save them from the destruction of the wicked. May we then love his name, and walk in his ways, while we desire that all flesh should bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Key Words
תְּהִלָּה: laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
רוּם: to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative
מֶלֶךְ: a king
בָרַךְ: to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)
שֵׁם: an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
עוֹלָם: properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e. (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial (especially with prepositional prefix) always
עַד: properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or without a preposition)
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Psalms 145Direct verbal echo of the classic self-revelation of God's grace, mercy, and patience.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Paul's proof of God's universal goodness to all nations, giving them food and gladness.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identical imagery of all creatures looking to God to receive their food in season.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identical liturgical formulation: 'Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.'
Supported by JFB
Identical phrasing regarding the Lord being merciful, gracious, and slow to anger.
Supported by JFB
Parallel declaration of God's everlasting kingdom and dominion enduring through all generations.
Supported by JFB
Parallel showing God providing sustenance to the beasts and to the young ravens.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Matches the specific language of God opening His hand to satisfy His creatures' desires.
Supported by JFB
Uses the same Hebrew term for extolling God as King and Deliverer.
Supported by JFB
Thematic match showing that though a righteous man falls, the Lord upholds him.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallel praise of God raising up those who are bowed down.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Clarifies the meaning of calling upon or worshipping God 'in truth' (sincerity).
Supported by Matthew Poole
Associates the memory of His wonderful works with being gracious and full of compassion.
Supported by JFB
God's unique proximity to His covenant people whenever they call upon Him.
Supported by Matthew Henry