Psalms 145:8

8 The LORD is ¹gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

Psalms 145:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 145:8

The Lord [is] gracious
These are the epithets of our Lord Jesus Christ, and may be truly and with great propriety said of him; he is "gracious", kind, and good, in the instances before mentioned; he is full of grace, and readily distributes it; his words are words of grace; his Gospel, and the doctrines of it, are doctrines of grace; his works are works of grace, all flowing from his wondrous grace and mercy: and full of compassion:
or "merciful" ^F4, in the most tender manner; hence he came into the world to save sinners, and in his pity redeemed them; and when on earth showed his compassion both to the bodies and souls of men, by healing the one and instructing the other; and particularly had compassion on the ignorant, and them that were out of the way; pitying those that were as sheep without a shepherd, as the blind Jews under their blind guides were; and is very compassionate to his people under all their temptations, afflictions, trials, and exercises; see ( Hebrews 2:17 Hebrews 2:18 ) ( 4:15 ) ( 5:2 ) ( Matthew 5:36 Matthew 5:37 ) ( Mark 5:19 ) ( Isaiah 63:9 ) ; slow to anger;
to the wicked Jews, though often provoked by their calumnies and reproaches, and by their ill behaviour to him in various instances; yet we never read but once of his being angry, and that was through grief at the hardness of their hearts, ( Mark 3:5 ) ; and likewise to his own disciples, who were often froward and perverse, and of bad spirits, very troublesome and afflictive to him, yet he patiently bore with them: and of great mercy;
a merciful High Priest, typified by the mercy seat, where we may find grace and mercy at all times; through whom God is merciful to sinners, and to whose mercy we are to look for eternal life.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 (Mwxr) "misericors", V. L. Tigurine version, Musculus, Piscator, Cocceius, Michaelis.

Psalms 145:8 In-Context

6 They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.

7 They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.

9 The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!

Cross References

• 1. See Psalms 86:5, 15