Psalm 145

What’s Happening?

Psalm 145 is the Psalter’s last song credited to Israel’s greatest king, David. Yet here, David praises a King greater than himself—God, the true King of Israel (Psalm 145:1). David does not celebrate his own mighty works, but his King’s (Psalm 145:2-3). Generations later, when Israel takes up this song after their return from exile, they declare that God’s mighty works endure even when the works of their kings have failed.

God’s works in the world generate praise from his people. When the true King acts in the world, his works proclaim his strength, greatness, fame, and goodness (Psalm 145:6-7). These works of praise vary from the creation of the world to the rescue of Israel from Egypt, from the defeat of wicked nations to the provision of food for all creatures (Psalm 145:15). When people hear of such works, they proclaim his praise to the next generation (Psalm 145:5). God’s works of praise create people who become works that praise (Psalm 145:10). In this way, the works of God create worshipers of God, and his royal praise continues for all time and spreads to every place (Psalm 145:11-13).

God’s kingly works are all the more praiseworthy because they reveal his character. After one of his greatest acts—rescuing Israel from Egypt—God told his people what kind of King he is (Exodus 34:6-7). This psalm echoes that royal self-description: God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and overflowing with loyal love (Psalm 145:8). He is good to everyone, benevolent toward all his creation (Psalm 145:9). Out of that unsearchable greatness and goodness flow unsearchably great and good deeds. He lifts up those who fall and draws near to those who cry for rescue (Psalm 145:14,18-19). He protects those who fear him and destroys the wickedness that threatens his people (Psalm 145:20). In everything, God’s righteous rule reveals his character as a righteous ruler.

The praise of God’s righteous rule spreads through all times and places. The song king David begins is picked up by his faithful citizens (Psalm 145:10). The works that praise God’s works of praise swell into an ever-increasing choir that fills all creation (Psalm 145:12, 21). As nations and generations learn what God has done, they join their voices to the unending song that fills all times and places. 

Where is the Gospel?

Just as David sang of a King greater than himself, the Gospels announce that this greater King whom all eternity praises has stepped into time. Even though David’s throne had been empty for centuries, God’s works still praised God for his works. Faithful citizens of heaven and earth added their voices to the singers of Psalm 145 (Luke 1:46-55, 68-79; 2:13-14, 29-32). They saw the fulfillment of David’s final song—the eternal King had come in the infant Jesus.

In Jesus, God—the gracious, merciful, and faithful King—entered the world to rule it with righteousness (Luke 4:18-19). He is the King whom David called his King (Matthew 22:44). And his deeds revealed God’s character—Jesus came doing the very works proclaimed in Psalm 145. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and raised up the lowly (Psalm 145:14-15). The one who is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love drew near to those who needed rescue.

On the cross, the Lord who opens his hand to feed every living creature has opened his hands to give life to the world. The King who lifts up those who fall has lifted humanity from the dust of death. The God who performs mighty deeds so that all creation might praise him has performed his mightiest work of all—raising Jesus from the dead. And in the resurrection, Jesus founded a Kingdom of people who will never stop praising him (Revelation 11:15). Through this work, God’s praise spreads and fills all times and places. The work of Jesus creates worshipers of Jesus who will sing his song until every tribe, nation, and language joins the chorus—an unending song that echoes to every corner of creation (Revelation 7:9).

See for Yourself

I pray that the Holy Spirit will open your eyes to see the merciful God whose righteous kingdom fills all times and places. And may you see Jesus as the one who raises up the fallen and whom all creation will praise forever.