King James Version
Psalms 145
21 verses with commentary
I Will Extol You, My God and King
David's Psalm of praise. I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
This opening verse of Psalm 145 declares the fundamental human duty: 'I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.' The word 'extol' (Hebrew 'romem') means to lift up, magnify, and celebrate. The parallel action 'bless thy name' emphasizes speaking well of God, recognizing His character and works. The double assertion 'for ever and ever' expresses an eternal inte...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) The psalm opens with familiar psalm strains. (Comp. openings of Psalms 30, 34)
**For ever and ever.**—In contemplation of the greatness and majesty of God time ceases to be. The poet vows a homage indefinitely prolonged.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**10-16. Their sufferings were for their rebellion against (Psa 105:28) the words, or purposes, or promises, of God for their benefit. When humbled they cry to God, who delivers them from bondage, described as a dark dungeon with doors and bars of metal, in which they are bound in iron--**that is, chains and fetters.
**shadow of death--**darkness with danger (Psa 23:4).
Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.</strong> David commits to daily, perpetual worship—<em>bĕyom-yom</em> (בְּיוֹם־יוֹם) "day by day" emphasizes habitual practice, not occasional devotion. The verb <em>abarekeka</em> (אֲבָרֲכֶךָּ) "I will bless" uses the intensive (Piel) form, indicating passionate, wholehearted blessing of God—a striking reversal whe...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
17-22. Whether the same or not, this exigency illustrates that dispensation of God according to which sin brings its own punishment.
**are afflicted--**literally, "afflict themselves," that is, bring on disease, denoted by loathing of food, and drawing
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. and his: Heb. and of his greatness there is no search
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse emphasizes God's incomparable greatness: 'Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: and his greatness is unsearchable.' The repetition of 'great' and 'greatly' hammers home the central affirmation. 'Greatly to be praised' indicates that praise itself is an appropriate human response proportional to God's nature. The concluding phrase 'his greatness is unsearchable' (Hebrew 'ein chek...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Greatly to be praised.—**See Psalm 18:3 and comp. Psalm 48:1.
**And his greatness.**—Literally, more expressive, *and for his greatness no search. *(Comp. Isaiah 40:28; Job 11:7.)
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
17-22. Whether the same or not, this exigency illustrates that dispensation of God according to which sin brings its own punishment.
**are afflicted--**literally, "afflict themselves," that is, bring on disease, denoted by loathing of food, and drawing
One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.</strong> The transmission of faith across generations—<em>dor lĕdor</em> (דּוֹר לְדוֹר) "generation to generation"—is central to covenant faithfulness. The verb <em>yeshabĕchu</em> (יְשַׁבְּחוּ) "shall praise" indicates ongoing testimony, not passive tradition. God's <em>ma'aseka</em> (מַעֲשֶׂיךָ) "works" ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Shall praise.**—Or, *praises, *with idea of indefinite continuance; and so in the following verses.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
17-22. Whether the same or not, this exigency illustrates that dispensation of God according to which sin brings its own punishment.
**are afflicted--**literally, "afflict themselves," that is, bring on disease, denoted by loathing of food, and drawing
I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works. works: Heb. things, or, words
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.</strong> David personally commits—<em>asicha</em> (אָשִׂיחָה) "I will meditate/speak"—to rehearse God's splendor. The phrase <em>hadar kĕvod hodeka</em> (הֲדַר כְּבוֹד הוֹדֶךָ) literally "the beauty of the glory of Your majesty" piles synonyms to express God's transcendent magnificence beyond human language. <em...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **I will speak.**—Or, perhaps, *sing. *The verb is often rendered *meditate *(Psalm 77:12; Psalm 119:15, &c.):
**Thy wondrous works.—**Rather, as in Psalm 105:27 (see Note; comp. Psalm 65:3), *the details of thy wonders. *In psalms like 105, 106, &c, is the detailed fulfilment of this purpose.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
17-22. Whether the same or not, this exigency illustrates that dispensation of God according to which sin brings its own punishment.
**are afflicted--**literally, "afflict themselves," that is, bring on disease, denoted by loathing of food, and drawing
And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness. declare: Heb. declare it
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.</strong> The corporate testimony—<em>ve-ezuz nora'oteka</em> (וֶעֱזוּז נוֹרְאֹתֶיךָ) "the strength of your awesome deeds"—will be proclaimed by others. <em>Nora</em> (נוֹרָא) "terrible/awesome" conveys fear-inspiring power: God's acts command reverence, not casual familiarity. This includes both redemp...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Thy greatness.**—Or, according to the written text, *greatnesses. *So Aquila and Jerome. The parallelism is decidedly in favour of the plural.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
17-22. Whether the same or not, this exigency illustrates that dispensation of God according to which sin brings its own punishment.
**are afflicted--**literally, "afflict themselves," that is, bring on disease, denoted by loathing of food, and drawing
They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.</strong> The verb <em>yabbiyu</em> (יַבִּיעוּ) "shall abundantly utter" literally means to gush forth, bubble up, pour out—spontaneous overflow, not restrained speech. God's <em>rav tuvkha</em> (רַב־טוּבְךָ) "abundant goodness" provokes abundant testimony. The word <em>zeker</em> (זֵכֶר) "mem...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **Abundantly utter.**—Literally, *pour forth in a stream, *as in Psalm 19:2; Psalm 78:2.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
17-22. Whether the same or not, this exigency illustrates that dispensation of God according to which sin brings its own punishment.
**are afflicted--**literally, "afflict themselves," that is, bring on disease, denoted by loathing of food, and drawing
The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. of great: Heb. great in mercy
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse celebrates God's character through multiple attributes: 'The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.' The word 'gracious' (Hebrew 'chanun') signifies kindness, favor, and benevolence shown freely. 'Full of compassion' (rachamim, from rechem, womb) indicates the deep, tender mercy of a parent toward a child. 'Slow to anger' (erek appayim, literally 'l...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) Comp. Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 111:4.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23-32. Here are set forth the perils of seafaring, futility of man's, and efficiency of God's, help.
**go ... sea--**alluding to the elevation of the land at the coast.
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.</strong> The covenant name <em>Yahweh</em> (יְהוָה) emphasizes God's personal, relational nature. <em>Tov Yahweh lakkol</em> (טוֹב־יְהוָה לַכֹּל) "Yahweh is good to all"—universal divine benevolence transcending Israel alone. God's <em>rachamav</em> (רַחֲמָיו) "tender mercies" derives from <em>rechem</em> (רֶחֶם) "womb...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9, 10) **All.**—This wide outlook over the world as the object, with all that it contains, of the Divine pity and love, is a noble anticipation of our Lord’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount and is introduced in a similar manner. Just as the subjects of the kingdom of heaven should exceed the heathen in kindness and goodness, because they know the universal and impartial grace of the Father, s...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23-32. Here are set forth the perils of seafaring, futility of man's, and efficiency of God's, help.
**go ... sea--**alluding to the elevation of the land at the coast.
All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.</strong> Creation's universal worship—<em>kol-ma'aseka</em> (כָּל־מַעֲשֶׂיךָ) "all your works"—includes both conscious praise from rational creatures and unconscious testimony from all creation. Romans 1:20 affirms that creation declares God's eternal power and divine nature. The phrase echoes Psalm 19:1, "The heaven...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23-32. Here are set forth the perils of seafaring, futility of man's, and efficiency of God's, help.
**go ... sea--**alluding to the elevation of the land at the coast.
They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power.</strong> The focus shifts from God's attributes to His <em>malkhut</em> (מַלְכוּת) "kingdom/reign"—God's sovereign rule over all creation. <em>Kvod malkhutekha</em> (כְּבוֹד מַלְכוּתְךָ) "the glory of your kingdom" emphasizes the majestic splendor of divine governance. Unlike earthly kingdoms marked by corruption and weak...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11, 12) It is the privilege of the *saints *to impress the less favoured natures with the glory of the Divine kingdom, which the theocratic relation has displayed in and to them.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23-32. Here are set forth the perils of seafaring, futility of man's, and efficiency of God's, help.
**go ... sea--**alluding to the elevation of the land at the coast.
To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.</strong> The purpose clause (<em>lĕhodi'a</em>, לְהוֹדִיעַ "to make known") reveals why believers speak of God's kingdom: to inform <em>bĕnei ha'adam</em> (בְּנֵי הָאָדָם) "the sons of men/humanity" about divine realities they wouldn't otherwise know. God's <em>gĕvurotav</em> (גְּבוּרֹתָיו) "mighty a...
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(12) **To make.**—Or, *by making known.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23-32. Here are set forth the perils of seafaring, futility of man's, and efficiency of God's, help.
**go ... sea--**alluding to the elevation of the land at the coast.
Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations. an: Heb. a kingdom of all ages
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse extends the scope of God's benevolence across time and creation: 'Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.' The phrase 'everlasting kingdom' (memlachah le'olamim) asserts both the reality of God's present kingship and its eternal continuation. 'Thy dominion endureth throughout all generations' emphasizes stability across successive hum...
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(13) See margin, and comp. Daniel 4:3; Daniel 4:34. But it is not necessary to see any dependence between the passages because of the recurrence of phrases which must have been of daily use in the theocracy.
The *nun *stanza, which should come after Psalm 145:13, has most probably dropped away. The LXX. and Vulg., Syriac, and Ethiopic have here a variation of Psalm 145:17, which would, in Hebrew, ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23-32. Here are set forth the perils of seafaring, futility of man's, and efficiency of God's, help.
**go ... sea--**alluding to the elevation of the land at the coast.
The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.</strong> God's kingdom (vv. 11-13) manifests in compassionate action toward the vulnerable. <em>Somekh Yahweh lĕkhol-hannoflim</em> (סוֹמֵךְ יְהוָה לְכָל־הַנֹּפְלִים) "Yahweh supports all who fall"—the participle <em>somekh</em> (סוֹמֵךְ) indicates continuous, habitual action. God doesn't merely prevent falls bu...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **The Lord.**—Comp. Psalm 37:24. It marks a grand step in theology when the first instance of majesty of the Divine Being is sought in His condescension to human weakness and pity for frailty and want. The heathen had seen that this was *king-like*—
“Regia (crede mihi) res est succurrere lapsis.”
OVID: *Ep. de Ponto *11., 9, 11.
But they had hardly seen that it was also *god-like.*
For “raise...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23-32. Here are set forth the perils of seafaring, futility of man's, and efficiency of God's, help.
**go ... sea--**alluding to the elevation of the land at the coast.
The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. wait: or, look unto
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.</strong> Universal dependence on divine providence—<em>einei-khol</em> (עֵינֵי־כֹל) "the eyes of all"—all creatures look expectantly to God for sustenance. The verb <em>yĕsabberu</em> (יְשַׂבֵּרוּ) "wait/hope" conveys eager anticipation, confident expectation. This echoes Psalm 104:27-28, portraying creation's u...
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(15, 16) These verses are adapted from Psalm 104:27-28
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23-32. Here are set forth the perils of seafaring, futility of man's, and efficiency of God's, help.
**go ... sea--**alluding to the elevation of the land at the coast.
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou openest thine hand</strong> (פּוֹתֵחַ אֶת־יָדֶךָ, <em>poteach et-yadekha</em>)—the divine hand opened in generosity, not clenched in withholding. The Hebrew participle suggests continuous, habitual action: God is perpetually opening His hand. This recalls Deuteronomy 15:8, where Israel was commanded to 'open thine hand wide' to the poor.<br><br><strong>Satisfiest the desire</strong> (...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23-32. Here are set forth the perils of seafaring, futility of man's, and efficiency of God's, help.
**go ... sea--**alluding to the elevation of the land at the coast.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. holy: or, merciful, or, bountiful
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.</strong> This comprehensive statement—<em>tsaddiq Yahweh bĕkhol-dĕrakhav</em> (צַדִּיק יְהוָה בְּכָל־דְּרָכָיו) "righteous is Yahweh in all His ways"—affirms God's perfect justice in every action. <em>Tsaddiq</em> (צַדִּיק) "righteous" means conforming to the standard of right, acting with justice. The phrase <em>bĕkhol</em>...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
23-32. Here are set forth the perils of seafaring, futility of man's, and efficiency of God's, help.
**go ... sea--**alluding to the elevation of the land at the coast.
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse emphasizes God's availability in response to prayer: 'The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.' The word 'nigh' (Hebrew 'karov') means near, close, or accessible. This is not describing God's geographical proximity (God is omnipresent) but His relational availability - He listens and responds when called upon. The phrase 'that call upon him'...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **The Lord is nigh **. . .
Closer is He than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.”
**TENNYSON: *Higher Pantheism.***
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**33-41. He turneth rivers into a wilderness, &c.--**God's providence is illustriously displayed in His influence on two great elements of human prosperity, the earth's productiveness and the powers of government. He punishes the wicked by destroying the sources of fertility, or, in mercy, gives fruitfulness to deserts, which become the homes of a busy and successful agricultural population. B...
Read full commentary →He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.</strong> God's responsive care for the reverent—<em>rĕtson-yĕre'av ya'aseh</em> (רְצוֹן־יְרֵאָיו יַעֲשֶׂה) "the desire of those who fear Him He will do." <em>Yirah</em> (יִרְאָה) "fear" means reverent awe, not servile terror—loving respect that shapes behavior. God fulfills desires aligned wit...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**33-41. He turneth rivers into a wilderness, &c.--**God's providence is illustriously displayed in His influence on two great elements of human prosperity, the earth's productiveness and the powers of government. He punishes the wicked by destroying the sources of fertility, or, in mercy, gives fruitfulness to deserts, which become the homes of a busy and successful agricultural population. B...
Read full commentary →The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.</strong> Divine preservation and destruction sharply contrasted—<em>shomer Yahweh et-kol-ohavav</em> (שֹׁמֵר יְהוָה אֶת־כָּל־אֹהֲבָיו) "Yahweh keeps/guards all who love Him." <em>Shomer</em> (שֹׁמֵר) means watchful protection, diligent preservation. God's <em>ohavav</em> (אֹהֲבָיו) "ones loving Him" receive ete...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20) **Preserveth . . . destroy.—**Notice this recurrent thought, that the guardianship of the good implies the destruction of the wicked.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**33-41. He turneth rivers into a wilderness, &c.--**God's providence is illustriously displayed in His influence on two great elements of human prosperity, the earth's productiveness and the powers of government. He punishes the wicked by destroying the sources of fertility, or, in mercy, gives fruitfulness to deserts, which become the homes of a busy and successful agricultural population. B...
Read full commentary →My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse concludes the psalm with a reaffirmation of perpetual praise: 'My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.' The phrase 'my mouth shall speak' commits the entire self to testimony and declaration. 'The praise of the LORD' (tehilat YHWH) literally means the praise that belongs to God, the praises worthy of Him. The shift from singu...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **Holy name.—**As in Psalm 33:21; Psalm 103:1; Psalm 105:3.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**33-41. He turneth rivers into a wilderness, &c.--**God's providence is illustriously displayed in His influence on two great elements of human prosperity, the earth's productiveness and the powers of government. He punishes the wicked by destroying the sources of fertility, or, in mercy, gives fruitfulness to deserts, which become the homes of a busy and successful agricultural population. B...
Read full commentary →