Psalm 145:18

Commentary

Psalm 145:18 (NKJV):
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.”

1. Context of Psalm 145

Psalm 145[i] is a psalm of David, a hymn of praise that celebrates the greatness, goodness, and faithfulness of God. It is an acrostic psalm, with each verse beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet, emphasising completeness and order. The psalm highlights God’s majesty (vv. 1–6), His goodness and mercy (vv. 7–9), His kingship (vv. 10–13), His providence (vv. 14–16), and His nearness to His people (vv. 17–21).

Verse 18 sits within the section that describes God’s care for His people. It is a promise of intimacy and accessibility: God is not distant but near to those who call upon Him sincerely.

2. Exegesis of Psalm 145:18

• “The Lord is near”: This phrase conveys God’s immanence. He is not only transcendent and exalted but also present and attentive to His people. Nearness here is relational, not geographical. It speaks of God’s covenantal closeness.
• “To all who call upon Him”: This is inclusive. God’s nearness is not restricted to Israel alone but extends to all who genuinely seek Him. It anticipates the universality of the gospel.
• “To all who call upon Him in truth”: The condition is sincerity and truthfulness. This excludes hypocrisy, empty ritual, or self-serving prayer. To call upon God “in truth” means to approach Him with integrity, faith, and alignment with His revealed Word.

3. Theological Insights

• God’s Immanence and Transcendence: Psalm 145 balances God’s greatness with His nearness. He is the King of glory (v. 11) yet attentive to the cries of His people (v. 19).
• Prayer and Truth: The verse teaches that prayer is not merely about words but about truth. Christian theology emphasises that God is approached through Christ, the Truth (John 14:6). Calling upon God “in truth” means relying on His promises and approaching Him through the righteousness of Christ.
• Universal Invitation: The verse underscores the gospel’s inclusivity. Anyone who calls upon the Lord sincerely will find Him near. This resonates with Romans 10:13: “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
• God’s Covenant Faithfulness: The psalm reflects God’s steadfast love (hesed[ii]). His nearness is not earned but graciously given to those who respond in faith.

---

4. Meditation Guide

Step 1: Read and Reflect

Read Psalm 145 aloud, focusing on verses 17–21. Notice the rhythm of praise and the repeated emphasis on God’s goodness.

Step 2: Personal Application

• Ask yourself: Am I calling upon the Lord in truth, or am I distracted by self-interest?
• Reflect on God’s nearness in times of prayer, suffering, and joy.

Step 3: Prayer

Pray with sincerity, acknowledging God’s greatness and goodness. Confess areas where your prayers may have lacked truthfulness. Thank Him for His nearness in Christ.

Step 4: Practice

• Cultivate daily prayer that is honest and grounded in Scripture.
• Encourage others in your church or community to call upon God sincerely.
• Live with confidence that God is near, even when circumstances feel overwhelming.

---

5. Application to Modern Christian Living

• Authentic Prayer: In a culture of superficiality, Psalm 145:18 calls believers to authenticity. God is not impressed by performance but by truth.
• Confidence in God’s Presence: Modern life often feels isolating. This verse assures Christians that God is near, offering comfort and strength.
• Witness to Others: The inclusivity of “all who call upon Him” challenges believers to share the gospel widely, confident that God draws near to all who seek Him.
• Resilience in Trials: Knowing God is near equips Christians to endure suffering with hope.

---

[i] Psalm 145

New King James Version

A Song of God’s Majesty and Love

A Praise of David.

145 I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall praise Your works to another,
And shall declare Your mighty acts.
5 I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty,
And on Your wondrous works.
6 Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts,
And I will declare Your greatness.
7 They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness,
And shall sing of Your righteousness.

8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.
9 The Lord is good to all,
And His tender mercies are over all His works.

10 All Your works shall praise You, O Lord,
And Your saints shall bless You.
11 They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,
And talk of Your power,
12 To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts,
And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.

14 The Lord upholds all who fall,
And raises up all who are bowed down.
15 The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
And You give them their food in due season.
16 You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways,
Gracious in all His works.
18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.
20 The Lord preserves all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.
21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord,
And all flesh shall bless His holy name
Forever and ever.

[ii] Hesed is a rich Hebrew word that means steadfast love, covenant loyalty, mercy, and kindness—especially as shown by God to His people.