Bible Commentaries
Psalms 145

Verses 1-21

Psalms 145

The Hallelujah Chorus Scripture v. 1-21:

This is the "Hallelujah chorus," or introduction to the five final Psalms 146-150. According to Emerson Harris on the psalms there are five prominent occasions set forth in this psalm for praising God: 1) For His greatness, v. 1-6; 2) For His goodness, v. 7-10; 3) For His Glory, v. 11-13; 4) For His guidance; v. 14-16; and 5) For His Grace, v. 17-21; (The Psalms outlined, p. 160) Five is the number of Grace, appears to be reason enough for studying this psalm in this manner.

Verses 1, 2 declare, "I will (am resolved to John 7:17) extol thee, my God, O King; (ruler of my life) and I will (am determined to) bless (praise) thy name for ever and ever," a noble will and resolve, Psalms 30:1; Psalms 144:10; Psalms 20:9; Psalms 24:8; Psalms 24:10; Psalms 29:10; Psalms 34:1; Psalms 138:8. He added v.2 "Every day will I bless thee; I will praise thy name for ever and ever," Psalms 68:19; Psalms 69:30.

Verse 3 asserts "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable," as well as His ways past finding out, Romans 11:33; Psalms 48:1; Job 5:9; Job 11:7; Ephesians 3:8.

Verses 4, 5 add, "One generation shall praise thy name to another, and shall declare (relate) thy mighty acts," of greatness, as manifestations of His mercy and righteousness. He adds, "I will speak (witness) of the glorious honor (esteem) of thy majesty," an absolute King of heaven and earth, Psalms 105:27; Psalms 18:2; Psalms 62:7.

Verse 6 add, "One generation shall praise thy name to another, and shall declare (relate) thy mighty acts," of greatness, as manifestations of His mercy and righteousness. He adds, "I will speak (witness) of the glorious honor (esteem) of thy majesty," as absolute King of heaven and earth, Psalms 105:27;Psalms 182; Psalms 62:7.

Verse 6 adds further, "And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I (David). will declare thy greatness," v.3, as deliverer and redeemer of thy people, Psalms 40:1-3; Psalms 107:2; Acts 1:7; Romans 1:16; Romans 11:33.

Verse 7 prophesies that "They (future generations) shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness," with unceasing, glorious praises, Psalms 19:2; Psalms 119:68. His righteous deeds flow from the goodness of His character.

Verse 8 extols, "the Lord is gracious (abounding in grace), and full of compassion," Exodus 34:6. "Slow to anger and of great mercy," in all His deeds, flowing from His character and Divine attributes, Psalms 103:8; John 1:14; John 1:17; 2 Peter 3:18.

Verse 9 asserts, "The Lord is good to all (all men); and his tender mercies are over all his works," as expressed, Psalms 100:5; Nahum 1:7; Matthew 5:45; Acts 14:17; How much more are they over His children, Psalms 103:13; Psalms 147:9; Psalms 138:8.

Verses 10, 11 certify "all thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee," the redeemed worshippers of Israel; "They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power," by their conscious voice or by eloquent silence, Psalms 19:1-3; Psalms 103:22; This is to be especially true when the earthly reign of the Messiah comes, Psalms 103:19; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 11:17. See also Isaiah 9:7; Micah 4:7; 1 Timothy 6:15-16.

Verse 12 explains that their testimony is "to make known to the sons of men, the gentile world, his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom," 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; 1 Corinthians 9:21-27; Acts 1:8.

Verse 13 declares "Thy kingdom is (exists as) an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth (continuously) throughout all generations," Daniel 2:44; Daniel 4:34, as the kingdom of the Messiah, the Son of David, Isaiah 9:7; Luke 1:32-33.

Verse 14 assures "The Lord upholdeth (at all times) all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down, "as certified, Psalms 37:17; Psalms 37:24; Psalms 146:8.

Verses 15, 16 verify that, "The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest (dolest out) to them their meat (food) in due season," as they need it. "Thou openest thine hand, (with charity) and satisfiest the desire of every living thing, Psalms 104:27-28; Deuteronomy 33:23; Acts 14:17.

Verses 17, 18 assert that, ’The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works," both merciful and bountiful toward all men, beyond their merit, Psalms 16:10.
Verse 18 adds, "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon (pray to) him," as also assured, Deuteronomy 4:7; 1 Kings 18:17-18; John 14:23; James 4:8. It Is added, ’To all that call upon him in truth," not in hypocrisy or formalism, deceitfully, John 4:24.

Verse 19 certifies, by the honor and integrity of God, that "He will fulfill (meet) the desire (earnest pleading) of them that fear him. He also will hear their cry (prayer-cry) and will save them," 1 John 5:14.

Verse 20 further certifies, ’The Lord preserveth (continuously) all them that love him; but all the wicked will be destroyed," brought to great suffering and loss, not annihilated, John 5:24; John 10:27-29; 1 John 5:13.

Verse 21 concludes, "My mouth shall speak the praise (Hallelujah) of the Lord, even every day, as pledged, v.2. He adds, "And let all flesh bless (or praise) his holy name for ever and ever," even all that have breath, Psalms 150:6; Revelation 5:13.