Resource > Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable) >  Psalms >  Exposition >  V. Book 5: chs. 107--150 > 
Psalm 145 
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This acrostic psalm begins a series of six psalms, the last six in the Psalter, that are especially full of praise to God. The title, "a psalm of praise,"occurs only here in the Book of Psalms. The word "praise"appears 46 times in the last six psalms. In this psalm David praised God for His powerful acts, for an everlasting kingdom, and for His response to those who pray to Him.

 1. God's powerful acts 145:1-7
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145:1-3 David vowed to praise the Lord daily and forever because of His greatness.

145:4-7 He said parents would declare God's great acts to their children. He himself would meditate on the Lord's majesty and His wonderful works. People would retell His awesome deeds and would praise the Lord for His greatness, goodness, and righteousness.

 2. God's everlasting kingdom 145:8-16
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145:8-10 Verses 8 and 9 are a classic expression of praise for God's character. The same statement in Hebrew occurs in six other places in the Old Testament (Exod. 34:6; Neh. 9:7; Pss. 86:15; 103:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2). God's grace is His undeserved favor and divine enablement that He gives to those who do not deserve it. His mercy is the forbearance He demonstrates to those who deserve His wrath. He is patient with those who arouse His anger with their sinning. His loyal love is amazingly strong and long lasting. He is good to everyone even sending rain and many other blessings on the unjust as well as the just. Moreover He exercises His powerful works under the constraints of His mercy.

Because of these things all of God's works and people will praise Him (v. 10).

145:11-13a God's faithful and consistent control of all things from one generation to the next call for praise of His eternal reign. He rules over all with power and glory. People speak of the great King and His kingdom because of all His wondrous acts.

145:13b-16 The NASB translators did not translate the last portion of verse 13. It reads, "The LORD is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made"(NIV). He consistently sustains the fallen, uplifts the oppressed, and provides for all. Therefore every person looks to God for His provision of needs. Since God's dominion is everlasting He cares for His creatures faithfully and lovingly all the time.

 3. God's responsiveness to prayer 145:17-21
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Everything the Lord does is right. Kindness also marks all He does. He is attentive to those who pray to Him sincerely. He will grant the petitions of believers and will deliver them in times of need. He will protect those who love Him but will destroy those who do not. For these reasons David said he would praise Yahweh and all people will bless Him forever.

This psalm is a great catalogue of reasons to praise God. Like the other acrostic psalms it is a model for us to use in recalling many of the things about God for which we should praise Him.



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