Stilling Waves Bible Psalm 145

Psalm 145

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Translation

World English Bible (WEB), a modern translation.

Before you read

The heading calls this a praise psalm by David. In Hebrew it is an acrostic: each verse begins with the next letter of the alphabet, as if the singer were praising God from A to Z. One letter is missing from the traditional Hebrew text, though a Dead Sea scroll and the ancient Greek translation include a line for it, which this translation keeps in verse 13. The voice moves from one person, to generations telling one another, to every living thing. Watch the word all, which runs through the second half like a refrain. Verse 20 adds a sober note about the wicked.

1A praise psalm by David. I will exalt you, my God, the King. I will praise your name forever and ever.

2Every day I will praise you. I will extol your name forever and ever.

3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised! His greatness is unsearchable.

4One generation will commend your works to another, and will declare your mighty acts.

5I will meditate on the glorious majesty of your honor, on your wondrous works.

6Men will speak of the might of your awesome acts. I will declare your greatness.

7They will utter the memory of your great goodness, and will sing of your righteousness.

8The LORD is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.

9The LORD is good to all. His tender mercies are over all his works.

10All your works will give thanks to you, LORD. Your saints will extol you.

11They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk about your power,

12to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.

13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Your dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words, and loving in all his deeds.

14The LORD upholds all who fall, and raises up all those who are bowed down.

15The eyes of all wait for you. You give them their food in due season.

16You open your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and gracious in all his works.

18The LORD is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

19He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him. He also will hear their cry, and will save them.

20The LORD preserves all those who love him, but he will destroy all the wicked.

21My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD. Let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.

Meditate

Psalm 145 meditation and reflection

God holds up all who stumble and lifts those bent low. Call on him honestly now, and notice how near he is to anyone who does.

In the King James Version: Psalm 145:18

Read it slowly, then sit with the prompt. Free: stillingwaves.com/bible/psalms/145/
Scripture: World English Bible (public domain).Scripture: King James Version (1769 text), public domain outside the United Kingdom; in the United Kingdom under Crown patent.

Sit with this: a guided reflection

Verse 2 makes a modest vow: every day. Not a grand feeling, just a daily return. Now read verses 15 and 16 as a picture. Every creature, from sparrows to children at a breakfast table, is looking toward one open hand. You are among them. What did that hand give you yesterday that you have not yet noticed? Then look back at verse 4. Praise here is passed down, one generation telling the next what God has done. Who told you? Whose story of God's goodness reached you before you could tell your own? And who might be listening for yours? Let your prayer today be simple and specific. Thank God for one good thing by name. Then ask him for what you need, remembering verse 8, that he is gracious and slow to anger with you too.

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