I Will Extol You – Psalm 145

The ESV Study Bible note on this psalm is instructive:

This is the last of the psalms of David, and it introduces the hymns of praise that finish the Psalms. This hymn (or “song of praise,” see title) specifically praises the Lord for his goodness and generosity toward his creatures, especially to his people (both corporate and individual). One remarkable feature of this psalm is the way it uses so many different words for “praising”: “extol” (v. 1: to tell how great God is); “bless” (vv. 1, 2, 10, 21: to speak well of God for his generosity); “praise” (vv. 2, 3, 21: to glorify God for his magnificent qualities); “commend” (v. 4: to speak highly of God); cf. “declare” (synonyms in vv. 4, 6), “meditate” (v. 5), “speak” (v. 6), “pour forth” (v. 7), “sing aloud” (v. 7), and “give thanks” (v. 10). The author has exploited all the vocabulary he can muster to describe this great activity, praising God for his greatness and goodness. Further, there are repeated terms for the enduring nature of this praise: “forever and ever” (vv. 1, 2, 21); the “generations” (vv. 4, 13); and “everlasting” (v. 13). As the ESV footnote explains, this psalm follows an acrostic pattern (see Psalms 9–10; 25; 34; 37 for the other Davidic acrostics). Like the other acrostics from David, this one (at least in most Hb. manuscripts) is “imperfect,” in this case lacking the n-verse (between 145:13–14). The ESV includes the “missing” verse (v. 13b), but in square brackets due to its uncertainty (see ESV footnote there).

A Song of Praise. Of David.

I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.  Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.  Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.  On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.  They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.  They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!  They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.

[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]  The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.  The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.  You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.  The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.  The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.  He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.  The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.  (Psalm 145 ESV)

How does David think of Yahweh his God?  What does he praise Him for?

• Unsearchable greatness
• Glorious splendor
• Abundant goodness
• Righteousness

And he focuses on Yahweh’s being gracious and merciful, being slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love toward everyone who is not arrogant but is humble (everyone who “bows”).  Yahweh upholds you when you fall, is near you when you call on Him, and fulfills your desire when you revere Him.  And yes, He destroys the wicked.  Would we have it any other way?