Psalm 145 4

Psalm 145:4 kjv

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

Psalm 145:4 nkjv

One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.

Psalm 145:4 niv

One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

Psalm 145:4 esv

One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.

Psalm 145:4 nlt

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let them proclaim your power.

Psalm 145 verses

Psalm 145 4 Meaning

Psalm 145:4 proclaims the vital mandate for one generation to transmit the truth of God's character and deeds to the next. It speaks of a continuous, vibrant testimony, where the enduring significance of God's creative acts and powerful interventions are enthusiastically declared and made known across time, ensuring that future generations encounter and respond to His divine reality.

Psalm 145 4 Context

Psalm 145 is a psalm of David, an acrostic poem (each verse or pair of verses begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet), devoted entirely to the praise of God. It stands as a comprehensive summary of God's praiseworthy attributes and actions. The psalm opens with David's personal commitment to praise (vv. 1-2) and then expands to a universal, perpetual call for all creation and future generations to join in magnifying the LORD. Verse 4 flows naturally from this opening, outlining how this continuous praise will occur—through the intergenerational passing on of knowledge concerning God's works and mighty acts. This transmission is foundational to maintaining the covenant relationship within Israel, ensuring that God's history with His people, particularly His deliverance and faithfulness, remains a living memory and a present reality for each successive group of believers. It highlights the educational and evangelistic duty of the faithful.

Psalm 145 4 Word Analysis

• One generation (dor - דּוֹר): In Hebrew, the phrase dor le dor (דּוֹר לְדֹוֹר), translated here as "One generation... to another," signifies a continuous succession, from one distinct period of time or group of people to the next. It implies continuity, succession, and perpetuity. This concept is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, emphasizing the lasting nature of God's covenant with Israel across epochs.
• shall commend (y'shabbach - יְשַׁבַּח): This is from the root shabach (שָׁבַח), meaning to praise, laud, commend, glorify, extol, or give thanks. It is a robust term suggesting an active, public, and enthusiastic form of praise. It implies more than mere acknowledgment; it speaks of heartfelt declaration, honoring God by recounting His merits. It is an outward expression of adoration and approval, often with exuberance.
• Your works (ma'asekha - מַעֲשֶׂיךָ): From ma'aseh (מַעֲשֶׂה), meaning a deed, work, or act. This term is broad, encompassing all of God's creative activity, His providential care for creation, His redemptive acts in history, and His judgments. It refers to everything that God does, revealing His character and power. These "works" demonstrate His wisdom, sovereignty, and goodness throughout creation and history.
• to another: Implied in the Hebrew dor le dor, reinforcing the successive nature of the transmission. It highlights the vertical movement of truth and worship across temporal boundaries.
• and shall declare (yaggidu - יַגִּידוּ): This is from the root nagad (נָגַד), which means to tell, announce, report, proclaim, make known, declare. This word emphasizes clear, explicit communication. It is a purposeful act of conveying information or a message. It stands in parallel with "commend," reinforcing the active nature of witness and instruction.
• Your mighty acts (gevuroteykha - גְּבוּרֹתֶיךָ): From gevurah (גְּבוּרָה), meaning strength, power, might, valor, or mighty acts. While "works" refers to God's broader activity, "mighty acts" specifically points to extraordinary, powerful, and often decisive interventions by God, such as the miracles of the Exodus, the conquest of Canaan, or the displays of divine strength in judgment or deliverance. These are awe-inspiring demonstrations of His omnipotence.

Words-group analysis:

• "One generation shall commend Your works to another": This phrase underscores the responsibility and privilege of passing on the narrative of God's general activity and divine involvement in the world. It frames spiritual heritage not as a passive inheritance but as an active entrustment to be cherished and perpetuated. The oral tradition of recounting God's benevolent and sustaining deeds is foundational.
• "and shall declare Your mighty acts": This second part, parallel and intensifying the first, highlights the recounting of God's powerful, extraordinary interventions. It suggests a focus on the grand, impactful displays of His omnipotence that evoke wonder and reinforce His absolute sovereignty. The declaration ensures that the awe-inspiring demonstrations of God's power are not forgotten but actively proclaimed, serving as testaments to His ability to deliver and redeem.

Psalm 145 4 Bonus Section

• The theme of passing on God's truth to subsequent generations is a fundamental principle woven throughout the Hebrew Bible, most notably encapsulated in the Shema (Deut 6:4-9), which mandates diligently teaching God's commands to children. Psalm 145:4 extends this to encompass not just commands but God's historical deeds and attributes.
• This verse undergirds the importance of Christian education, discipleship, and family worship, recognizing them as divinely appointed means for perpetuating the knowledge of God and His acts through the generations.
• The emphasis on "works" and "mighty acts" reminds us that God's revelation is not solely conceptual but is deeply rooted in His actions in the world, providing concrete historical evidence for faith.
• The absence of nun verse in the Masoretic Text of Psalm 145, while interesting in textual criticism, does not diminish the clear and powerful message of verse 4 itself regarding intergenerational declaration. Other ancient versions like the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls preserve a complete acrostic, often supplying a verse relating to God's faithfulness or justice, themes deeply interwoven with His works and mighty acts.

Psalm 145 4 Commentary

Psalm 145:4 provides a profound theological foundation for intergenerational faith transmission, which is central to biblical Christianity. It's not merely a suggestion but a declaration of what will happen: the passing of divine truth and experience from one era to the next. This vital process involves both praise ("commend Your works") and explicit instruction ("declare Your mighty acts"). "Commending His works" encourages an ongoing celebration of God's consistent goodness, His intricate design in creation, and His faithful providence. It invites an appreciation for His character as revealed in the ordinary and extraordinary unfolding of life. Simultaneously, "declaring His mighty acts" focuses on specific, powerful historical interventions, like the deliverance from Egypt or other decisive victories, which serve as foundational proof of God's redemptive power and active engagement in human affairs.

This dual emphasis ensures a holistic understanding of God: both His consistent nature and His dramatic interventions. The verse implicitly argues against the idea that God's work is limited to one generation or that His past acts lose relevance. Instead, they are perpetually fresh and significant for those who follow. This spiritual heritage ensures that the community of faith maintains a living connection to God's past, understands its present implications, and anticipates His future fulfillment. It is a perpetual act of evangelism and discipleship within the believing community, guarding against spiritual amnesia and fostering a vibrant, living faith across all ages.