Psalm 145 Bible Commentary

Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown

(Read all of Psalm 145)

Ps 145:1-21. A Psalm of praise to God for His mighty, righteous, and gracious government of all men, and of His humble and suffering people in particular.

1, 2. (Compare Ps 30:1).
bless thy name--celebrate Thy perfections (Ps 5:11). God is addressed as king, alluding to His government of men.

3. (Compare Ps 18:3; 48:1).
greatness--as displayed in His works.

4. shall declare--literally, "they shall declare," that is, all generations.

5. I will speak--or, "muse" (Ps 77:12; 119:15).
thy wondrous works--or, "words of thy wonders," that is, which described them (Ps 105:27, Margin).

6. terrible acts--which produce dread or fear.

7. memory-- (Ps 6:5), remembrance, or what causes to be remembered.
righteousness--as in Ps 143:1, goodness according to covenant engagement.

8, 9. (Compare Ps 103:8; 111:4).
over all, &c.--rests on all His works.

10. bless--as in Ps 145:1, to praise with reverence, more than merely to praise.

11, 12. The declaration of God's glory is for the extension of His knowledge and perfections in the world.

13. (Compare Da 4:3, 34).

14. (Compare Ps 37:17; 54:4).

15, 16. eyes of . . . thee--or, look with expecting faith (Ps 104:27, 28).

17. holy . . . works--literally, "merciful" or "kind, goodness" (Ps 144:2) is the corresponding noun.
righteous--in a similar relation of meaning to "righteousness" (Ps 145:7).

18, 19. (Compare Ps 34:7, 10).

20. Those who fear Him (Ps 145:19) are those who are here said to love Him.

21. (Compare Ps 33:21).
all flesh-- (Ps 65:2). The Psalm ends, as it began, with ascriptions of praise, in which the pious will ever delight to join.