Psalm 145

1 Ein Lob Davids. Ich will dich erheben, mein Gott, du König, und deinen Namen loben immer und ewiglich.

2 Ich will dich täglich loben und deinen Namen rühmen immer und ewiglich.

3 Der HERR ist groß und sehr löblich, und seine Größe ist unausforschlich.

4 Kindeskinder werden deine Werke preisen und von deiner Gewalt sagen.

5 Ich will reden von deiner herrlichen, schönen Pracht und von deinen Wundern,

6 daß man soll sagen von deinen herrlichen Taten und daß man erzähle deine Herrlichkeit;

7 daß man preise deine große Güte und deine Gerechtigkeit rühme.

8 Gnädig und barmherzig ist der HERR, geduldig und von großer Güte.

9 Der HERR ist allen gütig und erbarmt sich aller seiner Werke.

10 Es sollen dir danken, HERR, alle deine Werke und deine Heiligen dich loben

11 und die Ehre deines Königreiches rühmen und von deiner Gewalt reden,

12 daß den Menschenkindern deine Gewalt kund werde und die herrliche Pracht deines Königreichs.

13 Dein Reich ist ein ewiges Reich, und deine Herrschaft währet für und für.

14 Der HERR erhält alle, die da fallen, und richtet auf alle, die niedergeschlagen sind.

15 Aller Augen warten auf dich, und du gibst ihnen ihre Speise zu seiner Zeit.

16 Du tust deine Hand auf und erfüllst alles, was lebt, mit Wohlgefallen.

17 Der HERR ist gerecht in allen seinen Wegen und heilig in allen seinen Werken.

18 Der HERR ist nahe allen, die ihn anrufen, allen, die ihn mit Ernst anrufen.

19 Er tut, was die Gottesfürchtigen begehren, und hört ihr Schreien und hilft ihnen.

20 Der HERR behütet alle, die ihn lieben, und wird vertilgen alle Gottlosen.

21 Mein Mund soll des HERRN Lob sagen, und alles Fleisch lobe seinen heiligen Namen immer und ewiglich.

Psalm 145 Commentary

Chapter 145

David extols the power, goodness, and mercy of the Lord. (1-9) The glory of God's kingdom, and his care of those that love him. (10-21)

Verses 1-9 Those who, under troubles and temptations, abound in fervent prayer, shall in due season abound in grateful praise, which is the true language of holy joy. Especially we should speak of God's wondrous work of redemption, while we declare his greatness. For no deliverance of the Israelites, nor the punishment of sinners, so clearly proclaims the justice of God, as the cross of Christ exhibits it to the enlightened mind. It may be truly said of our Lord Jesus Christ, that his words are words of goodness and grace; his works are works of goodness and grace. He is full of compassion; hence he came into the world to save sinners. When on earth, he showed his compassion both to the bodies and souls of men, by healing the one, and making wise the other. He is of great mercy, a merciful High Priest, through whom God is merciful to sinners.

Verses 10-21 All God's works show forth his praises. He satisfies the desire of every living thing, except the unreasonable children of men, who are satisfied with nothing. He does good to all the children of men; his own people in a special manner. Many children of God, who have been ready to fall into sin, to fall into despair, have tasted his goodness in preventing their falls, or recovering them speedily by his graces and comforts. And with respect to all that are heavy laden under the burden of sin, if they come to Christ by faith, he will ease them, he will raise them. He is very ready to hear and answer the prayers of his people. He is present every where; but in a special way he is nigh to them, as he is not to others. He is in their hearts, and dwells there by faith, and they dwell in him. He is nigh to those that call upon him, to help them in all times of need. He will be nigh to them, that they may have what they ask, and find what they seek, if they call upon him in truth and sincerity. And having taught men to love his name and holy ways, he will save them from the destruction of the wicked. May we then love his name, and walk in his ways, while we desire that all flesh should bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Chapter Summary

David's [Psalm] of praise. This psalm is rendered by Ainsworth "a hymn of David"; and the whole book of Psalms is from hence called "the Book of Hymns"; see Ephesians 5:19; It seems to have been a psalm David took great delight in, and it may be that he often repeated and sung it, as it was made by him with great care and contrivance, in a very curious manner, as well as he was assisted in it by divine inspiration; for it is wrote in an alphabetical order, each verse: beginning with the letter of the alphabet in course, and goes through the whole, excepting one letter; and very probably it was composed in this form that it might be the more easily committed to memory, and retained in it. The Jews have a very high opinion of it; their Rabbins say, that whoever says this psalm thrice every day may be sure of being a child of the world to come. This is mentioned by Arama and Kimchi; and which the latter explains thus, not he that says it any way, but with his mouth, and with his heart, and with his tongue. It seems to have been written by David after the Lord had granted him all his requests put up in the preceding psalms, and had given him rest from all his enemies; and when he turned his prayers into praises; for this psalm is wholly praise from one end to the other; and so are all the five following ones; they begin and end with "hallelujah": nor is there a single petition in them, as I remember; so that it may in some sense be said, "here the prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended." It no doubt, as Cocceius observes, belongs to the Messiah and his kingdom, which is everlasting, Psalm 145:13.