Psalm 145
Psalm 145, Praising God for Who He Is and What He Does
Scripture Text
Psalm 145:1, “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.”
Psalm 145:2, “Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.”
Psalm 145:3, “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.”
Psalm 145:4, “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.”
Psalm 145:5, “I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.”
Psalm 145:6, “And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.”
Psalm 145:7, “They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.”
Psalm 145:8, “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”
Psalm 145:9, “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”
Psalm 145:10, “All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.”
Psalm 145:11, “They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;”
Psalm 145:12, “To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.”
Psalm 145:13, “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.”
Psalm 145:14, “The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.”
Psalm 145:15, “The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.”
Psalm 145:16, “Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.”
Psalm 145:17, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”
Psalm 145:18, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”
Psalm 145:19, “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.”
Psalm 145:20, “The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.”
Psalm 145:21, “My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.”
Introduction
Psalm 145 is titled David’s Psalm of praise. This title is unique. Other psalms are called prayers of David, but this one is specifically called a praise of David. It is a fitting conclusion to David’s named contribution in the Psalter. After a lifetime of trouble, worship, repentance, deliverance, kingship, battle, failure, restoration, and communion with God, David leaves a final great testimony of praise.
This psalm is a high point of biblical worship. It praises God for who He is and what He does. It speaks of His greatness, majesty, works, mighty acts, goodness, righteousness, grace, compassion, patience, mercy, kingdom, power, provision, nearness, preservation, and judgment. It is not shallow praise. It is praise filled with doctrine, memory, meditation, testimony, and hope.
Psalm 145 is also an acrostic psalm, meaning its lines follow the order of the Hebrew alphabet, though one letter is missing in the standard Hebrew text. The structure itself teaches order, completeness, and careful thought. David is not merely overflowing emotionally, though his heart is certainly full. He is deliberately arranging praise so that God’s greatness may be declared thoughtfully.
The psalm also emphasizes generational responsibility. One generation must praise God’s works to another. The knowledge of God must not stop with one man, one family, or one generation. Fathers must teach sons. Mothers must teach daughters. Churches must teach children. Older saints must tell younger saints what God has done. Younger saints must also speak of God’s fresh works so that the whole people of God remain alive in praise.
Psalm 145 begins with David’s personal resolve, “I will extol thee,” and ends with a universal call, “let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.” True praise begins personally, but it cannot remain private. The man who truly sees the glory of God wants all creation to bless Him.
A. Learning to Praise God
1. Psalm 145:1 through Psalm 145:3, Learning from David’s Example of a Heart Fully Given to Praise
Psalm 145:1, “I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.”
David begins with personal determination, “I will extol thee.” To extol means to lift high, exalt, honor, and praise. David’s worship is intentional. He does not wait for others to begin. He does not merely describe what should be done. He makes his own resolve before God.
He addresses God directly, “thee.” This is personal worship. David is not merely speaking about God. He is speaking to God.
He says, “my God.” This is covenant possession and personal relationship. David does not speak of God as an abstract deity. He belongs to God, and God belongs to him by covenant mercy.
He also calls Him “O king.” This is significant because David himself was king over Israel. Yet David knew he ruled under a greater King. His crown did not make him independent. His throne was subordinate to the throne of God. The king of Israel bows before the King of kings.
Psalm 47:7, “For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.”
God is not merely Israel’s tribal deity. He is King of all the earth. David praises Him as such.
David says, “and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.” To bless God’s name is to praise His revealed character, His glory, His attributes, His reputation, and His works. David’s praise is not temporary. He looks beyond one moment, one service, one victory, or one season. He blesses God’s name for ever and ever.
Psalm 145:2, “Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.”
David now adds daily consistency. “Every day will I bless thee.” Praise is not reserved only for feast days, victories, public worship, or emotional high points. Every day belongs to God, and every day gives reason to bless Him.
This is important for discipleship. A man who praises God only when life is easy has not yet learned the depth of worship. David had known danger, betrayal, loss, war, discipline, grief, and sin. Yet he says, “Every day will I bless thee.”
Daily praise does not mean every day feels the same. Some days praise comes through tears. Some days it comes from victory. Some days it comes from repentance. Some days it comes from simple obedience. But every day, the LORD is worthy.
Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
David’s life of praise was not occasional. He resolved to bless the LORD at all times.
He repeats, “and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.” The repetition matters. David’s praise is daily and eternal. Every day now, and for ever in the age to come, God’s name is worthy to be praised.
Psalm 145:3, “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.”
David now gives the reason for such praise. “Great is the LORD.” God is great in being, power, wisdom, holiness, mercy, justice, faithfulness, knowledge, presence, sovereignty, and glory. His greatness is not borrowed. It is essential to who He is.
Because the LORD is great, He is “greatly to be praised.” Small praise does not fit a great God. Half hearted worship is unfitting before infinite majesty. God’s greatness demands great praise.
David then says, “and his greatness is unsearchable.” This means God’s greatness cannot be fully measured, exhausted, mapped, mastered, or comprehended by the creature. True theology knows God truly, but never fully. God has revealed Himself genuinely, but He remains infinite.
Romans 11:33, “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are judgments, and ways past finding out!”
Paul’s words agree with David’s. God’s judgments are unsearchable, and His ways are past finding out. This should produce worship, humility, and reverence.
David does not say God is unknowable. He says God’s greatness is unsearchable. The believer can know God because God reveals Himself, but no believer can exhaust God. Eternity itself will not run out of reasons to praise Him.
2. Psalm 145:4 through Psalm 145:7, Passing the Praise of God from One Generation to Another
Psalm 145:4, “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.”
David now moves from personal praise to generational praise. “One generation shall praise thy works to another.” The works of God must be passed down. The fathers must tell the children. The older saints must instruct the younger. The church must not assume the next generation will somehow inherit a strong knowledge of God without teaching, testimony, worship, and example.
This has always been God’s design.
Deuteronomy 6:6, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:”
Deuteronomy 6:7, “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in house, and when thou walkest by way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
God’s truth is to be taught diligently in ordinary life. The praise of God’s works belongs in the home, in worship, in conversation, in instruction, and in the daily rhythm of life.
David says the generations “shall declare thy mighty acts.” The mighty acts of God include creation, providence, judgment, redemption, deliverance, covenant faithfulness, and salvation. In Israel’s history, this included the exodus, the Red Sea, the wilderness provision, the conquest, the Davidic covenant, and many deliverances. For the Christian, this includes above all the incarnation, cross, resurrection, ascension, and promised return of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 78:4, “We will not hide them from children, shewing to generation to come praises of LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.”
The people of God must not hide the works of God from the next generation.
Psalm 145:5, “I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.”
David now returns to personal resolve, “I will speak.” He will not leave praise to others. He will personally speak of God’s majesty and works.
The phrase “the glorious honour of thy majesty” is rich. David piles words together because ordinary language is too small for the glory of God. God’s majesty is royal greatness, splendor, dignity, beauty, and sovereign glory. Its honour is glorious. David wants to speak of it.
He also speaks of “thy wondrous works.” Biblical praise is not only about what God is in Himself, but also about what He has done. His works reveal His character. Creation shows His wisdom and power. Providence shows His rule. Redemption shows His mercy. Judgment shows His righteousness. Christ shows the fullness of His grace and truth.
Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare glory of God; and firmament sheweth his handywork.”
Creation itself declares the glory of God, and David joins that declaration with his own mouth.
Psalm 145:6, “And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.”
David says men shall speak of God’s “terrible acts.” In this context, terrible does not mean evil. It means awesome, fear inspiring, mighty, and overwhelming. God’s acts are so great that they produce reverent fear.
The exodus plagues were terrible acts. The Red Sea judgment was a terrible act. Sinai was a terrible display. The judgments of God are terrible to His enemies and awe inspiring to His people.
Exodus 15:11, “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”
God is fearful in praises and doing wonders. His power is not tame.
David adds, “and I will declare thy greatness.” Again, he makes personal commitment. Others may speak, but David will declare. This is the proper heart of the believer. He does not merely approve of praise, he participates in it.
Psalm 145:7, “They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.”
The praise now overflows. “They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness.” The idea is not reluctant speech, but overflowing testimony. God’s goodness is so great that His people cannot remain silent.
The memory of God’s goodness must be preserved and spoken. Forgetfulness is spiritually dangerous. When God’s people forget His goodness, they become ungrateful, fearful, and disobedient. When they remember His goodness, praise rises.
Psalm 103:2, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:”
David also says they “shall sing of thy righteousness.” God’s goodness and righteousness belong together. His goodness is never unrighteous indulgence, and His righteousness is never cold cruelty. He is perfectly good and perfectly righteous.
This combination finds its fullest revelation in Christ.
Romans 3:26, “To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”
At the cross, God showed Himself both just and the justifier. Therefore, His people sing of His righteousness.
B. Declaring and Praising the Greatness of God
1. Psalm 145:8 and Psalm 145:9, The Memory and Present Experience of God’s Goodness
Psalm 145:8, “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.”
David now states one of the great declarations of God’s character. He echoes the LORD’s revelation of Himself to Moses.
Exodus 34:6, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,”
Exodus 34:7, “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear guilty; visiting iniquity of fathers upon children, and upon children’s children, unto third and to fourth generation.”
Psalm 145:8 is rooted in this self revelation of God. David praises God not according to imagination, but according to what God has revealed.
The LORD is “gracious.” He gives favor to the undeserving. He deals with His people according to mercy, not according to what their sins deserve.
He is “full of compassion.” He is not distant, harsh, or indifferent. His heart is tender toward the needy, broken, weak, and repentant.
He is “slow to anger.” God is patient. He does not explode in sudden uncontrolled wrath like sinful man. His anger is righteous, measured, holy, and patient. He gives space for repentance.
He is “of great mercy.” His mercy is not thin or reluctant. It is great. The mercy of God is large enough for repentant sinners, weak saints, broken people, and needy worshipers.
This does not deny judgment. Exodus 34:7 says He “will by no means clear the guilty.” God’s mercy is holy mercy. He forgives sin through righteous atonement, ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
Psalm 145:9, “The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.”
David now widens the scope. “The LORD is good to all.” God’s goodness is seen not only in His covenant mercies to Israel, but also in His general kindness toward creation. He gives rain, sun, food, seasons, breath, and life.
Jesus taught this clearly.
Matthew 5:45, “That ye may be children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh sun to rise on evil and on good, and sendeth rain on just and on unjust.”
God gives many good gifts even to those who do not worship Him. This is often called common grace. The wicked may reject God, yet they still live on His earth, breathe His air, eat food He provides, and enjoy mercies they do not deserve.
David adds, “and his tender mercies are over all his works.” God’s compassion rests over creation. The created order is not random or abandoned. The LORD’s care touches all His works.
Acts 14:17, “Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling hearts with food and gladness.”
Even among the nations, God’s goodness bears witness to Himself. Rain, fruitful seasons, food, and gladness are not accidents. They are testimonies of divine mercy.
2. Psalm 145:10 through Psalm 145:13, All Creation Declares God’s Praise
Psalm 145:10, “All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.”
All God’s works praise Him. Creation declares its Maker. The heavens, earth, seas, mountains, animals, seasons, and all created things display His wisdom, power, and goodness.
Yet David adds, “and thy saints shall bless thee.” Creation praises God by being what He made it to be. The saints praise God knowingly, gratefully, personally, and verbally. God’s redeemed people should lead creation’s praise with understanding and love.
Psalm 148:7, “Praise the LORD from earth, ye dragons, and all deeps:”
Psalm 148:8, “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:”
Psalm 148:11, “Kings of earth, and all people; princes, and all judges of earth:”
Psalm 148:13, “Let them praise name of LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above earth and heaven.”
All creation is summoned to praise, but the saints should bless the LORD with clear understanding.
Psalm 145:11, “They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;”
The saints speak of God’s kingdom. This is one of the great subjects of godly conversation. God’s people should speak of His rule, His reign, His authority, His promises, His Messiah, His righteousness, and His coming kingdom.
They also “talk of thy power.” This does not mean shallow religious speech. It means testimony, instruction, conversation, and proclamation concerning the power of God.
Christians often talk about many things, work, politics, trouble, entertainment, plans, and opinions. Psalm 145 says the saints should speak of the glory of God’s kingdom and talk of His power. God’s greatness should not be absent from the conversations of God’s people.
Psalm 145:12, “To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.”
The purpose of this speech is missionary and instructional. God’s mighty acts must be made known “to the sons of men.” The praise of the saints should overflow to the wider world.
This includes evangelism, teaching, testimony, preaching, family instruction, and ordinary conversation. God’s people must make known who God is and what He has done.
Matthew 28:18, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in name of Father, and of Son, and of Holy Ghost:”
Matthew 28:20, “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I with you alway, even unto end of world. Amen.”
The Great Commission is the New Testament command to make known the King and His word among the nations.
David says we are to make known “the glorious majesty of his kingdom.” God’s kingdom is not weak, temporary, corrupt, or unstable. It is glorious and majestic.
Psalm 145:13, “Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.”
God’s kingdom is everlasting. Human kingdoms rise and fall. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and every empire of man pass away. God’s kingdom endures.
His dominion endures throughout all generations. No generation outlives God’s reign. No political change threatens His throne. No rebellion removes His authority. No enemy can overthrow His kingdom.
Daniel 4:34, “And at end of days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:”
Daniel 4:35, “And all inhabitants of earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in army of heaven, and among inhabitants of earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”
Even Nebuchadnezzar had to learn that God’s dominion is everlasting. Psalm 145 declares what all kings must eventually confess.
This kingdom is ultimately revealed in the reign of Jesus Christ, the Son of David.
Luke 1:32, “He shall be great, and shall be called Son of Highest: and Lord God shall give unto him throne of his father David:”
Luke 1:33, “And he shall reign over house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
The everlasting kingdom belongs to the LORD and is fulfilled in the Messiah.
3. Psalm 145:14 through Psalm 145:16, The Kindness of God to Those in Need
Psalm 145:14, “The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.”
David now focuses on God’s kindness toward the weak, fallen, and burdened. “The LORD upholdeth all that fall.” God does not despise those who stumble and fall in weakness. He upholds them.
This does not mean God excuses rebellion or removes the need for repentance. It means that the humble who fall are not abandoned when they look to Him. God holds, sustains, restores, and lifts.
Psalm 37:23, “The steps of good man are ordered by LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”
Psalm 37:24, “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for LORD upholdeth him with his hand.”
The righteous may fall, but he is not utterly cast down because the LORD upholds him.
David also says God “raiseth up all those that be bowed down.” Some are bowed down by grief, guilt, weakness, oppression, labor, sickness, or discouragement. God sees them. He raises them up.
Psalm 146:8, “The LORD openeth eyes of blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth righteous:”
The LORD is especially compassionate toward those who are low.
Psalm 145:15, “The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.”
All creatures depend upon God. “The eyes of all wait upon thee.” The animal world, mankind, and all living things are dependent on God’s provision, whether they recognize it or not.
God gives “their meat in due season.” He provides food at the proper time. His provision is wise, seasonal, ordered, and sustaining.
Psalm 104:27, “These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.”
Psalm 104:28, “That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.”
Psalm 145 echoes Psalm 104. God’s open hand sustains creation.
Jesus taught believers to pray for daily bread.
Matthew 6:11, “Give us this day our daily bread.”
Daily bread is not merely the result of human labor. It is the gift of God through ordinary means.
Psalm 145:16, “Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.”
This is one of the most beautiful pictures of providence in Scripture. God opens His hand, and living things are satisfied. He does not strain. He does not lack. He opens His hand.
The open hand of God speaks of generosity, provision, kindness, and sufficiency. He feeds man and beast. He sustains life. He gives what is needed according to His wisdom.
This does not mean every creature receives endless abundance or never suffers in a fallen world. Creation groans under sin. Yet the continued existence, feeding, and sustaining of living things displays God’s providential mercy.
Romans 8:22, “For we know that whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”
Even in a groaning creation, God’s open hand is seen. Every meal, harvest, rain, breath, and provision testifies that God is good.
4. Psalm 145:17 through Psalm 145:21, The Love and Righteousness of the LORD
Psalm 145:17, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.”
David now returns to God’s moral perfection. “The LORD is righteous in all his ways.” Not some of His ways. All His ways. God never acts unjustly. He never errs. He never sins. He never does evil. His judgments are righteous, His commands are righteous, His providence is righteous, and His salvation is righteous.
David also says God is “holy in all his works.” The word holy here carries the idea of faithful, gracious, and morally pure. God’s works are set apart from all corruption. Everything He does is consistent with His holy character.
Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is Rock, his work perfect: for all his ways are judgment: God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.”
This is the doctrine David praises. God’s work is perfect. His ways are judgment. He is without iniquity.
Psalm 145:18, “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”
The righteous and holy LORD is also near. “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him.” God is not distant from His praying people. He draws near to those who call upon Him.
But David adds, “to all that call upon him in truth.” This matters. There is false prayer, hypocritical prayer, empty religious speech, and self serving prayer. The promise is for those who call upon Him in truth, sincerely, according to His revealed character, with faith and humility.
John 4:23, “But hour cometh, and now is, when true worshippers shall worship Father in spirit and in truth: for Father seeketh such to worship him.”
John 4:24, “God is Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
God seeks true worshipers. Psalm 145:18 anticipates this principle. The LORD is near to those who call on Him truly.
Psalm 145:19, “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.”
God fulfills the desire of those who fear Him. This does not mean He grants every fleshly wish. The fear of the LORD shapes desire. Those who fear Him increasingly desire what honors Him. Their will is brought under His will.
Psalm 37:4, “Delight thyself also in LORD; and he shall give thee desires of thine heart.”
When the heart delights in the LORD, its desires are purified and ordered by Him.
David also says, “he also will hear their cry, and will save them.” The God of Psalm 145 is not merely majestic and transcendent. He hears cries. He saves those who fear Him.
Psalm 34:17, “The righteous cry, and LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.”
The LORD hears and saves His people according to His wisdom, timing, and covenant mercy.
Psalm 145:20, “The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.”
David now places preservation and judgment side by side. “The LORD preserveth all them that love him.” Those who love God are kept by Him. This does not mean they will never suffer, never be persecuted, or never die physically. It means God watches over them, guards them, and preserves them for His purpose and kingdom.
John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:”
John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
Christ preserves His sheep. This is the full New Testament comfort behind the truth David declares.
But David also says, “but all the wicked will he destroy.” God’s goodness does not cancel His justice. The same LORD who is gracious, compassionate, and full of mercy will destroy the wicked who remain in rebellion.
This is necessary. A God who never judges wickedness would not be righteous. The preservation of those who love Him and the destruction of the wicked both display His holiness.
Psalm 1:6, “For the LORD knoweth way of righteous: but way of ungodly shall perish.”
The two ways remain clear. The way of the righteous is known by the LORD. The way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm 145:21, “My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.”
David ends where he began, with praise. “My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD.” Whatever others do, David’s mouth will praise the LORD. His final named contribution in the Psalter ends with his mouth committed to praise.
This is fitting. David had used his mouth in prayer, confession, lament, teaching, repentance, and worship. Here he dedicates it again to praise.
He then expands the call, “and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.” David wants all humanity to join the praise. The God who is good to all should be blessed by all. The God whose tender mercies are over all His works should be praised by all flesh.
This anticipates the universal praise that will one day be given to God.
Philippians 2:10, “That at name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under earth;”
Philippians 2:11, “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to glory of God Father.”
Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Psalm 145 ends with the same grand direction, all flesh blessing the holy name of the LORD for ever and ever.
Doctrinal and Practical Summary
Psalm 145 teaches that praise must be personal. David says, “I will extol thee, my God, O king.” True worship begins with personal devotion to the LORD.
The psalm teaches that praise should be daily and eternal. David blesses God every day and praises His name for ever and ever. God’s worthiness does not change with circumstances.
Psalm 145 teaches that God’s greatness is unsearchable. His majesty, power, wisdom, righteousness, mercy, and kingdom exceed human comprehension and deserve great praise.
The psalm teaches generational responsibility. One generation must praise God’s works to another. God’s mighty acts must be declared to children and to all who come after us.
Psalm 145 teaches that praise comes from meditation. David thinks deeply about God’s majesty, wondrous works, awesome acts, goodness, and righteousness. Thoughtful worship is strong worship.
The psalm teaches that the LORD is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and of great mercy. His goodness is not limited to Israel alone, but His tender mercies are over all His works.
Psalm 145 teaches that God’s kingdom is everlasting. Human kingdoms pass away, but the dominion of the LORD endures throughout all generations and is fulfilled in the reign of Jesus Christ.
The psalm teaches that God cares for the weak and needy. He upholds those who fall, raises those bowed down, gives food in due season, opens His hand, and satisfies every living thing.
Psalm 145 teaches that God is both righteous and gracious. He is near to those who call upon Him in truth, fulfills the desire of those who fear Him, hears their cry, saves them, preserves those who love Him, and destroys the wicked.
Finally, Psalm 145 teaches that praise should move from the individual to all flesh. David says his own mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and then calls all flesh to bless His holy name for ever and ever.
