Psalm 145: Great Is the Lord
Best for: Worship, teaching children, praise
Psalm 145 ("Great Is the Lord") is a praise psalm best read for worship, teaching children, praise. Psalm 145 is David's final hymn of praise — an acrostic celebration of God's greatness, grace, and kingdom.
Overview
Psalm 145 is David's final hymn of praise — an acrostic celebration of God's greatness, grace, and kingdom. It declares that God is great beyond understanding, gracious and compassionate, faithful in all His promises, and near to all who call upon Him. Every generation is called to commend God's works to the next.
It is a fitting crescendo to David's psalmic legacy.
Key Verses
"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable."— Psalm 145:3 (KJV)
"The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."— Psalm 145:18 (KJV)
Key Themes
Reflection
God's greatness is 'unsearchable' — you'll never exhaust reasons to praise Him. This psalm challenges each generation to actively pass on the story of God's works. What has God done that the next generation needs to hear about?
Historical Context
David's final acrostic psalm and his final recorded composition—a fitting conclusion to his lyrical legacy. Every verse praises God's greatness, beginning with 'I will extol You, my God, O King.' The declaration 'The Lord is near to all who call upon Him' summarizes David's lifetime experience of prayer.
How to Apply This Today
If this were the last psalm you ever read, it would be enough. It contains everything: God's greatness, His tender care, His faithfulness to all generations, His nearness to all who call, His provision for every living thing. Make this psalm your life summary: 'My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord.'
🙏 A Prayer from Psalm 145
I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord. Amen.
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Read devotionalFrequently Asked Questions
What is Psalm 145 about?
Psalm 145 is David's final hymn of praise — an acrostic celebration of God's greatness, grace, and kingdom. It declares that God is great beyond understanding, gracious and compassionate, faithful in all His promises, and near to all who call upon Him. Every generation is called to commend God's works to the next. It is a fitting crescendo to David's psalmic legacy.
What does Psalm 145 teach us?
God's greatness is 'unsearchable' — you'll never exhaust reasons to praise Him. This psalm challenges each generation to actively pass on the story of God's works. What has God done that the next generation needs to hear about?
What are the key themes of Psalm 145?
The key themes of Psalm 145 include: Greatness, Grace, Kingdom, Generational Faith.
When should I read Psalm 145?
Psalm 145 is especially meaningful for: Worship, teaching children, praise. The overall mood is exalted, worshipful.
How can I apply Psalm 145 to my life?
If this were the last psalm you ever read, it would be enough. It contains everything: God's greatness, His tender care, His faithfulness to all generations, His nearness to all who call, His provision for every living thing. Make this psalm your life summary: 'My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord.'
Continue Studying Themes from Psalm 145
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Praise (תְּהִלָּה (Tehillah) / αἶνος (Ainos))
Joyful declaration of God's greatness, character, and mighty works
Praise (Halal) (הָלַל (halal))
To shine, to boast, to celebrate — extravagant, radiant praise that declares God's greatness.