Psalm 145 – Exalt
In Psalm 145 – exalt, David exalts God. What does it mean to exalt someone or something? Who or what do we exalt in our lives?
Psalm 145
Psalm 145 is the last psalm entitled a psalm of David and the last of the nine acrostic psalms found in the Bible (Psalm 9, 10, 25, 34, 37, 111, 112, 119, and 145). It expresses one final hymn of praise to God before the Hallelujah Psalms, the last five psalms of the Bible. As such it serves as a fitting end to the Psalms of David and introduction to the great chorus of praise.
“In Jewish practice this psalm was recited twice in the morning and once in the evening service. The Talmud commends all who repeat it three times a day as having a share in the world to come.” (Willem VanGemeren) Psalm 145 Commentary: Praising God for Who He Is and What He
Reasons for Praising God
David begins by exalting God and extolling God’s name.
“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.” (1-2)
He then goes on to state all of the reasons for praising God.
“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
Tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” (3-7)
Each generation is called to speak of God’s glory.
David echoes the words of Yahweh to Moses from Exodus 34:6, proclaiming God gracious love and compassion.
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.
The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” (8-9)
God’s mercy extends to all creation. Creation responds with praise.
“All your works praise you, Lord; your faithful people extol you.
They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might,
so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.” (10-13a)
Where earthly kings die and fade away, God’s kingdom last forever.
God Raises the Fallen
David tells how God lifts up the downtrodden. “Many are despondent, and cannot lift up their heads in courage, or their hearts with comfort; but these he cheers. Some are bent with their daily load, and these he strengthens.” (Spurgeon) Psalm 145 Commentary: Praising God for Who He Is and What He
“The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” (13b-16)
God’s Righteousness
Psalm 145 – exalt ends with praise of God for God’s righteousness. Our loving and righteous God watches over us and hears us when we cry out.
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.” (17-20)
The words of the psalm’s final verse are David’s last words to us.
“My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever.” (21)
“The last verse of Psalm 145 is the last word we have from David in the Bible. It is his last will and testament. If he had said nothing else in his long life, these words would be a fine legacy for future generations. In it he praises God and invites others to praise God also.” (Boice) Psalm 145 Commentary: Praising God for Who He Is and What He
Exalt
To exalt is to raise in rank, power, or character, and to elevate by praise or in estimation (Webster). “To extol is to praise, to lift high, to exalt. David honored and promoted the name of God in the most personal of ways.” Psalm 145 Commentary: Praising God for Who He Is and What He
God, in Scripture, routinely exalts the lowly, raising them up as he did David in the Old Testament and Mary in the New (Luke 1:46-55). David exalts and extols God; however, it is not possible to raise God any further than God already is. David proclaims the reality of God’s greatness overall.
“Observe that David is firmly resolved to praise God. My text has four ‘I wills’ in it. Frequently it is foolish for us poor mortals to say ‘I will,’ because our will is so feeble and fickle; but when we resolve upon the praise of God, we may say, ‘I will,’ and ‘I will,’ and ‘I will,’ and ‘I will.’” (Spurgeon) Psalm 145 Commentary: Praising God for Who He Is and What He
Who or What Do We Exalt?
God is the one rightly to be praised. Unfortunately, though, we often exalt people or things, making them into idols. We spend our time worshiping sports figures, musicians, actors, even some political leaders, giving them recognition and power they do not deserve. We worship those who have money and power and spend our time trying to acquire these ourselves. All are false idols, not worthy of exaltation.
“As we take in David’s amazing description of God, we see how different Yahweh (the true and living God) is compared to the idols of the nations. Those supposed gods were often angry and petulant, caring little for either humanity or creation. We are surprised and grateful for the love and care from the God who is really there.” Psalm 145 Commentary: Praising God for Who He Is and What He
Amid this beautiful psalm praising God, David adds a problematic verse: “but all the wicked he will destroy.” Not because of God’s nature, but because of our nature.
“Your experience of God depends on your posture toward him: love or disobedience. The wicked are destroyed by God, and it is not because He is mean and wants to destroy them. Rather they destroy themselves by living contrary to their design. We were designed for relationship with God, and those who spurn that God will face natural consequences. So much of what destroys people could be termed “self-destruction.” This is often the way that God’s wrath is revealed: humans receiving the due consequences for their wickedness, the natural result of using something outside of its purpose and design.” Psalm 145 Commentary — Psalms in Life
Psalm 145 – Exalt
We have so many reasons to praise our God. Psalm 145 – exalt gives just a few of them. The following five psalms will give even more reasons. So high is our God above all of creation. Why would we consider giving what rightfully belongs to God to anyone else?
Our God lifts up the downtrodden. In the times in your life when you fall and feel down, how does God lift you up?
(For another take on this psalm, see Psalm 145: The Beginning of the End – Patricia M Robertson)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
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