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Psalms 145

Chapter Text

Great Is the LORD

Summary

Psalm 145 is David's grand hymn of praise, the only psalm bearing the title tehillah, or praise. It is an acrostic psalm extolling God's greatness, goodness, and kingdom. Every day David will bless the Lord, declaring His greatness unsearchable.

One generation shall praise God's works to another. The Lord is gracious, full of compassion, slow to anger, and great in mercy. His kingdom is everlasting and His dominion endures through all generations. He upholds all who fall, opens His hand to satisfy every living thing, is near to all who call upon Him in truth, and preserves all who love Him.

Meaning

This psalm is the climactic statement of praise in David's final collection. Its acrostic structure encompasses the fullness of God's praiseworthy character from beginning to end. No attribute is left uncelebrated.

The psalm's theology balances God's transcendent greatness with His intimate compassion. The same God whose greatness is unsearchable is also near to all who call upon Him. Infinite power and personal tenderness coexist perfectly in the divine character.

The emphasis on God's kingdom introduces a theme that Jesus would develop extensively in His teaching. The kingdom of God is not a future political reality alone but a present spiritual reality: God reigns now, upholding the fallen, satisfying every creature, and hearing every sincere prayer.

Background

Attributed to David, this psalm holds a unique place as the only psalm specifically titled a praise. In Jewish tradition, it is recited three times daily and is considered one of the most important psalms in the liturgy.

The psalm's acrostic structure, its comprehensive theology, and its position as the final Davidic psalm make it a fitting capstone to David's contribution to the Psalter.

Chapter Outline

  1. vv. 1-3A Vow of Daily Praise
  2. vv. 4-7Generations Declaring God's Works
  3. vv. 8-9The Character of the LORD
  4. vv. 10-13The Everlasting Kingdom
  5. vv. 14-16Provider and Sustainer of All
  6. vv. 17-20Near to Those Who Call
  7. vv. 21Closing Doxology

Key Verses

“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.”— 145:3

A foundational declaration of divine transcendence, affirming that God's majesty exceeds human comprehension. Frequently quoted in liturgy and hymnody as a call to worship.

“The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”— 145:8

Echoes the self-revelation of God to Moses in Exodus 34:6, one of the most repeated theological formulas in the Old Testament. It anchors the biblical understanding of God's character as merciful.

“The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.”— 145:15

A classic statement of divine providence, traditionally recited as a table grace in Jewish and Christian devotion. It affirms God's sustaining care for all creation.

“The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”— 145:18

A cherished promise of God's accessibility to sincere prayer, qualified by the requirement of truthfulness. Often cited in teaching on authentic worship and intercession.

People & Places

People

  • David — King of Israel and ascribed author of this psalm of praise.

Prophecy & Fulfillment

While not predictive prophecy in the strict sense, verses 11-13 anticipate the universal and everlasting reign of God's kingdom, language the New Testament applies to Christ's messianic dominion (cf. Daniel 4:3, Luke 1:33, Revelation 11:15). The declaration that God's kingdom 'endureth throughout all generations' foreshadows the eternal kingship fulfilled in the risen Christ. Verse 18's promise that the Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth is echoed by Paul in Romans 10:12-13, applied directly to salvation in Christ.

Devotional

Psalm 145 invites us into a rhythm of daily blessing — not reserved for crisis or celebration, but woven into ordinary mornings and evenings. David models a praise that outlasts moods and circumstances, rooted in who God is rather than what we feel.

Notice how the psalm moves from personal worship to communal testimony to universal care. When life leaves you bowed down, verse 14 is a quiet anchor: God upholds the falling. And when prayer feels distant, verse 18 reminds us He is near to all who call on Him honestly — not perfectly, but truly.

Literary Style

An acrostic hymn of praise, with each verse beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet (the nun verse is supplied from Qumran and the Septuagint). It employs synonymous parallelism, hymnic doxology, and sweeping universal language characteristic of Hebrew worship poetry.