1 I will exalt you, my God, the King.
I will praise your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will praise you.
I will extol your name forever and ever.
3 Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised!
His greatness is unsearchable.
4 One generation will commend your works to another,
and will declare your mighty acts.
5 I will meditate on the glorious majesty of your honor,
on your wondrous works.
6 Men will speak of the might of your awesome acts.
I will declare your greatness.
7 They will utter the memory of your great goodness,
and will sing of your righteousness.
8 Yahweh is gracious, merciful,
slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
9 Yahweh is good to all.
His tender mercies are over all his works.
10 All your works will give thanks to you, Yahweh.
Your saints will extol you.
11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom,
and talk about your power,
12 to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts,
the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
Yahweh is faithful in all his words,
and loving in all his deeds.
14 Yahweh upholds all who fall,
and raises up all those who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all wait for you.
You give them their food in due season.
16 You open your hand,
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
17 Yahweh is righteous in all his ways,
and gracious in all his works.
18 Yahweh is near to all those who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him.
He also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 Yahweh preserves all those who love him,
but he will destroy all the wicked.
21 My mouth will speak the praise of Yahweh.
Let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever. (Psalm 145)
Commentary
This psalm declares the greatness of God, His mercy and His enduring love. David begins by exalting God, proclaiming, “I will exalt you, my God, the King. I will praise your name forever and ever.” Here, we see the heart of a true worshipper, committed to praising God not just in the present but for all eternity. Praise should be an integral part of our daily lives. Each day offers a new opportunity to recognise God’s goodness and to offer our thanks and praise.
“Great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised! His greatness is unsearchable.” These words speak of the infinite nature of God’s greatness. We can never fully comprehend His majesty, but we are invited to meditate on His wondrous works. This meditation leads us to a deeper appreciation of His glorious majesty and the mighty acts He has performed throughout history. David speaks of one generation commending God’s works to another, declaring His mighty acts. It is our duty to pass on the faith to the next generation. We must share the stories of God’s faithfulness and His marvellous deeds, ensuring that the knowledge of His greatness is preserved and proclaimed by our children and grandchildren.
David continues by extolling God’s gracious and merciful nature: “Yahweh is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving kindness. Yahweh is good to all. His tender mercies are over all his works.” In these verses, we see the heart of God, full of compassion and kindness. He is patient with us, slow to anger, and abounding in love. This should fill us with hope and encourage us to seek His mercy and grace in our times of need.
David also highlights the universality of God’s goodness. “All your works will give thanks to you, Yahweh. Your saints will extol you.” Every creature and all of creation testify to God’s goodness. As His people, we have the privilege and responsibility to vocalise this praise, declaring the glory of His kingdom and the majesty of His power.
The psalm assures us of God’s faithfulness and His provision. “Yahweh upholds all who fall and raises up all those who are bowed down. The eyes of all wait for you. You give them their food in due season. You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.” Our Creator is attentive to our needs, providing for us in due season and sustaining all of creation with His open hand. We need to cultivate a strong faith so that we can always trust in His timing and rely on His providence.
“Yahweh is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” This is a comforting assurance of God’s presence and responsiveness. When we call upon Him sincerely, He hears our cries and is near to us. This nearness of God should be a source of great comfort and encouragement, especially in times of trial and difficulty.
St. David concludes with a declaration of praise: “My mouth will speak the praise of Yahweh. Let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.” David speaks of all of creation joining in the eternal praise of our holy God. Let us carry this same spirit of praise with us, letting our lives be a continuous offering of worship to Yahweh God.
May the words of Psalm 145 inspire us to live lives that glorify God, to share His wondrous works with others, and to trust in His unfailing love and provision. Let us commit to praising His holy name forever and ever.
Mar Chayim bar Ya’aqub
9 July 2024