Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · Psalms Chapter 145

Ps 145:1-21.

A Psalm of praise to God for His mighty, righteous, and gracious government of all men, and of His humble and suffering people in particular.

1, 2. (Compare

Ps 30:1).

bless thy name--celebrate Thy perfections

(Ps 5:11).

God is addressed as king, alluding to His government of men.

3. (Compare

Ps 18:3; 48:1).

greatness--as displayed in His works.

4. shall declare--literally, "they shall declare," that is, all generations.

5. I will speak--or, "muse"

(Ps 77:12; 119:15).

thy wondrous works--or, "words of thy wonders," that is, which described them

(Ps 105:27,

Margin).

6. terrible acts--which produce dread or fear.

7. memory--

(Ps 6:5),

remembrance, or what causes to be remembered.

righteousness--as in

Ps 143:1,

goodness according to covenant engagement.

8, 9. (Compare

Ps 103:8; 111:4).

over all, &c.--rests on all His works.

10. bless--as in

Ps 145:1,

to praise with reverence, more than merely to praise.

11, 12. The declaration of God's glory is for the extension of His knowledge and perfections in the world.

13. (Compare

Da 4:3, 34).

14. (Compare

Ps 37:17; 54:4).

15, 16. eyes of . . . thee--or, look with expecting faith

(Ps 104:27, 28).

17. holy . . . works--literally, "merciful" or "kind, goodness"

(Ps 144:2)

is the corresponding noun.

righteous--in a similar relation of meaning to "righteousness"

(Ps 145:7).

18, 19. (Compare

Ps 34:7, 10).

20. Those who fear Him

(Ps 145:19)

are those who are here said to love Him.

21. (Compare

Ps 33:21).

all flesh--

(Ps 65:2).

The Psalm ends, as it began, with ascriptions of praise, in which the pious will ever delight to join.