What does Psalm 145:7 reveal about God's character and deeds? Literary Context Psalm 145 is David’s final psalm in the Psalter and the only one explicitly labeled “A Praise” (תְּהִלָּה). It is an acrostic; every verse begins with a successive Hebrew letter, communicating completeness. Verse 7 forms the midpoint of the psalm’s second stanza (vv. 4–9), where David moves from recounting God’s mighty acts (v. 4) to celebrating His moral attributes (v. 7). The verse therefore bridges God’s works (objective history) and His character (ethical perfection). Revelation of God’s Generous Nature Verse 7 affirms that goodness is not a peripheral trait but intrinsic to God. In creation, His lavish provision is visible in the Earth’s fine-tuned ecosystems—carbon-based chemistry, the narrow habitable zone, and the information-rich DNA molecule (encoding approximately 3 billion base pairs per human cell) that science has yet to explain by unguided processes. The “abundant goodness” attested by astrophysical fine-tuning corresponds to the psalmist’s claim that God’s benevolence is both measurable and universal (cf. Acts 14:17). Historical Deeds That Provoke Praise 1. Exodus Deliverance: Egyptian records such as the Merneptah Stele (c. 1208 BC) confirm Israel’s presence in Canaan, supporting the biblical timeline of a nation rescued from bondage (Exodus 14). 2. Conquest and Monarchy: The Tel Dan Inscription (9th cent. BC) references the “House of David,” corroborating Davidic historicity. 3. Preservation in Exile: The Cyrus Cylinder (British Museum) illustrates the Near-Eastern policy that allowed Judah’s return (Ezra 1:1–4). 4. Culmination in Christ: The resurrection—attested by early creed (1 Corinthians 15:3-5), empty tomb (Matthew 28:6), post-mortem appearances to more than 500 (1 Corinthians 15:6), and the explosive rise of the Jerusalem church—constitutes the definitive “mighty act” (Acts 2:24). Dead Sea Scroll fragment 4Q521 links resurrection hope with messianic expectation decades before Jesus, buttressing continuity. God’s Righteousness Displayed in Redemption God’s righteousness is not mere retributive justice but covenant fulfillment. The cross satisfies divine justice (Romans 3:25-26) while broadcasting grace (Isaiah 53:11). Isaiah foresaw a righteousness imparted to God’s people (Isaiah 61:10); Paul declares that righteousness now “comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22). Psalm 145:7 anticipates this union of ethical perfection and saving action. Creation and Flood as Expressions of Goodness and Justice A young-earth chronology (~6,000 years) aligns Genesis genealogies with external markers such as rapid magnetic field decay and Carbon-14 in diamonds (RATE project). The global Flood (Genesis 6–9) explains widespread marine fossils on mountaintops and polystratic tree trunks penetrating multiple coal seams, underscoring both goodness (salvation of Noah) and righteousness (judgment of evil). Modern Miracles and Ongoing Acts Contemporary peer-reviewed medical literature records otherwise inexplicable reversals—e.g., the 2008 resurrection claim of consultant physician Dr. Sean George, whose 55-minute asystole ended after prayer. Such cases illustrate that God’s “abundant goodness” is not antiquated. Verified village-level revivals in Nepal and Brazil include clusters of sudden healings that missionary physicians have documented, reinforcing that the God of Psalm 145 remains active. Missional Mandate The plural “They will extol…they will sing” signals a communal vocation. Believers are to proclaim God’s deeds to succeeding generations (Psalm 145:4). In gospel witness, recounting creation, cross, and resurrection satisfies both the intellect (Acts 17:2-3) and conscience (Romans 2:15). |
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