Psa 145:2 | KingComments | STEP | In this psalm, we find ourselves in thought in the millennial realm of peace. The last earthly enemy has been defeated, the tribulation is over, and the complete redemption is celebrated. We hear Christ here and also the Spirit of Christ in the remnant praising God. The situation is that the kingdom of God has been established in public ( ). The Messiah is in the midst of Israel. The heart of Christ, seen here as Man, as Messiah, is full of praise to the LORD. He starts the song of praise (cf. ). The remnant kept by God joins in the Messiah’s song of praise. Finally, the whole world will join in the thanksgiving, praising the LORD’s greatness, goodness, and wonder works. This psalm is again an ‘acrostic’, that is, each verse begins with the next letter – all but one, the letter nun – of the Hebrew alphabet. Division of the psalm Praise because of God’s works Praise because of God’s covenant faithfulness Praise because of God’s keeping hand as Sustainer of creation. At the same time, the warning sounds that during the realm of peace all wickedness will be judged immediately ( ; ; ; ). This psalm is a psalm “of Praise, of David” ( ). Other psalms work gradually toward a psalm of praise, but this psalm begins with it. It is the only psalm that begins like this. All of the book of Psalms is called a book of praises by the Jews, but only this psalm of the 150 psalms is explicitly called “[a psalm] of praise”. In David we hear Christ as Man and Messiah singing the praises of God (cf. ). He calls God “My God, the King”, as it literally says ( ). That God is now the King means that the LORD has returned to Zion. The realm of peace is beginning ( ). He speaks of praising His God, the King, and praising His Name, “forever and ever” (cf. ). There will never be a time when Christ will not sing the praises of His God, the King. This He will do in a special way in the realm of peace. He does so every day of God’s royal reign during the realm of peace ( ; cf. ). Every day is also a day of blessing for us ( ) and therefore gives cause to praise God. Once again Christ pronounces it that He will praise God’s Name, “forever and ever”. God is connected to His earthly people Israel as King. Nowhere are God or Christ called King of the church or the individual New Testament believer. The church is connected as a bride to Christ as Bridegroom and also as a body to Christ as Head. Each individual believer is connected to Christ as Lord. The reason for this incessant praise is the greatness of the LORD ( ). To underscore this, the word “great” occurs twice. First, the LORD is great and therefore worthy of praise. Second, His greatness is beyond human comprehension, and yet He wants us to praise Him. He is “highly to be praised” and at the same time His greatness exceeds all thanksgiving and praise because “His greatness is unsearchable” ( ; ). No one can fully understand His judgments and His ways ( ). So it is for us with regard to the love of Christ. We may come to know it, while that love surpasses knowledge ( ).

‏ Psalms 145:2

Introduction

In this psalm, we find ourselves in thought in the millennial realm of peace. The last earthly enemy has been defeated, the tribulation is over, and the complete redemption is celebrated. We hear Christ here and also the Spirit of Christ in the remnant praising God.

The situation is that the kingdom of God has been established in public (Rev 19:6). The Messiah is in the midst of Israel. The heart of Christ, seen here as Man, as Messiah, is full of praise to the LORD. He starts the song of praise (cf. Psa 22:22b). The remnant kept by God joins in the Messiah’s song of praise. Finally, the whole world will join in the thanksgiving, praising the LORD’s greatness, goodness, and wonder works.

This psalm is again an ‘acrostic’, that is, each verse begins with the next letter – all but one, the letter nun – of the Hebrew alphabet.

Division of the psalm

Psa 145:1-7 Praise because of God’s works

Psa 145:8-13 Praise because of God’s covenant faithfulness

Psa 145:14-21 Praise because of God’s keeping hand as Sustainer of creation.

At the same time, the warning sounds that during the realm of peace all wickedness will be judged immediately (Psa 145:20b; Psa 101:8; Zep 3:5; Zec 5:3).

Praise of God’s Kingship

This psalm is a psalm “of Praise, of David” (Psa 145:1a). Other psalms work gradually toward a psalm of praise, but this psalm begins with it. It is the only psalm that begins like this. All of the book of Psalms is called a book of praises by the Jews, but only this psalm of the 150 psalms is explicitly called “[a psalm] of praise”.

In David we hear Christ as Man and Messiah singing the praises of God (cf. Psa 22:22). He calls God “My God, the King”, as it literally says (Psa 145:1b). That God is now the King means that the LORD has returned to Zion. The realm of peace is beginning (Isa 52:7-8). He speaks of praising His God, the King, and praising His Name, “forever and ever” (cf. Psa 115:18). There will never be a time when Christ will not sing the praises of His God, the King. This He will do in a special way in the realm of peace.

He does so every day of God’s royal reign during the realm of peace (Psa 145:2; cf. Psa 119:164). Every day is also a day of blessing for us (Lam 3:23) and therefore gives cause to praise God. Once again Christ pronounces it that He will praise God’s Name, “forever and ever”. God is connected to His earthly people Israel as King. Nowhere are God or Christ called King of the church or the individual New Testament believer. The church is connected as a bride to Christ as Bridegroom and also as a body to Christ as Head. Each individual believer is connected to Christ as Lord.

The reason for this incessant praise is the greatness of the LORD (Psa 145:3). To underscore this, the word “great” occurs twice. First, the LORD is great and therefore worthy of praise. Second, His greatness is beyond human comprehension, and yet He wants us to praise Him.

He is “highly to be praised” and at the same time His greatness exceeds all thanksgiving and praise because “His greatness is unsearchable” (Job 5:9 ; Job 9:10; Isa 40:28). No one can fully understand His judgments and His ways (Rom 11:33). So it is for us with regard to the love of Christ. We may come to know it, while that love surpasses knowledge (Eph 3:19).