What is the meaning of Psalm 72:18? Blessed be the LORD God The psalm opens with a call to speak well of the covenant-keeping LORD. • When we “bless” God we are not adding anything to Him; we are echoing heaven’s praise, aligning our hearts with what is already true (Psalm 103:1). • Such praise is intentional and verbal—“Enter His gates with thanksgiving… bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). • Scripture repeatedly pictures leaders modeling this posture: “David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly” (1 Chronicles 29:10). Blessing God is therefore both a personal and a corporate act, reminding us that our first response to every revelation of God’s character or work should be worship. The God of Israel By identifying the LORD as “the God of Israel,” the psalm grounds praise in God’s covenant faithfulness. • This is the One who revealed Himself to Moses: “The LORD, the God of your fathers” (Exodus 3:15). • He is the God who formed a people for His own possession, fulfilling the promise “The LORD our God, the LORD is One” (Deuteronomy 6:4). • Even in times of trouble Israel could say, “The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress” (Psalm 46:7). Calling Him “the God of Israel” underlines that His acts are rooted in relationship; His wonders are never random but covenantal, aimed at keeping every promise to His people—promises that reach their climax in Christ and extend to all who believe. Who alone does marvelous deeds The psalmist now celebrates God’s unrivaled ability to act. • “You are great and perform wonders; You alone are God” (Psalm 86:10). • From creation’s beginning (Psalm 136:4) to the Red Sea crossing—“Who is like You… working wonders?” (Exodus 15:11)—Scripture piles up evidence that no other being shares this resume. • The New Testament confirms the same pattern in Jesus’ earthly ministry: “miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him” (Acts 2:22). Because He “alone” works such deeds, human reliance on idols, human schemes, or mere chance is exposed as futile. Trust and hope belong to the LORD exclusively. summary Psalm 72:18 answers the question of meaning by directing us to worship the covenant LORD, the God uniquely tied to Israel and revealed perfectly in Christ. He alone performs every wonder—from world-creating power to soul-redeeming grace. Our right response is continual, vocal, confident praise, resting in the sure knowledge that the God who once parted seas and raised the dead still works marvels today. |
    |