The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.
PSALMS 145:9KJVWhat does Psalms 145:9 mean?
Psalms 145:9 says that the LORD is good to everyone, and his gentle compassion extends over everything he has made. This verse highlights the universal reach of God’s kindness and care, not limited to a certain group but touching all creation.
King David is speaking in this psalm, praising God’s character and works. The verse comes in a section where David is describing God’s greatness and generosity. Here, David emphasizes that God’s goodness and mercy are not just for Israel, but for all people and every part of creation.
The Hebrew behind Psalms 145:9
- LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name for God used in the Hebrew Bible, stressing God’s unique identity and covenant relationship with his people, but here it is shown as caring for all.
- good (טוֹב, tov): This word means more than just morally good; it often includes the ideas of kindness, generosity, and benefit. David is saying God’s nature is to do good to all.
- mercies (רַחֲמִים, rachamim): This word means deep compassion or tender mercy, often describing a parent’s care for a child. It shows that God’s care is not cold or distant, but warm and deeply felt.
- works (מַעֲשֶׂה, ma’aseh): This refers to everything God has made—people, animals, nature, the whole creation. God’s mercy covers all his handiwork, not just humans.
Why Psalms 145:9 matters
- This verse clears up the idea that God’s goodness is only for a select group; David says God’s kindness and mercy reach everyone and everything he has made.
- It highlights a theme running through Psalms 145: God’s character is generous, compassionate, and universally caring, not narrow or exclusive.
- The verse connects to the rest of the psalm, which is a song of praise focusing on God’s greatness, and it sets up the idea that all creation has reason to praise God because of his goodness.