Psalm 145:9

Psalm 145:9, in plain English

God's goodness isn't reserved for a special few—it extends to everyone and everything He's made, and His mercy is universal.

Why it's here

This is radical generosity. God doesn't withhold His kindness waiting for people to be good enough. His compassion covers all creation. The rain falls on the righteous and unrighteous. The sun rises on everyone. This is a God who cares about the whole world, not just His favorites.

Who's speaking

David, expanding the vision of God's care to its full scope.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus will teach this directly: God makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust. Later Paul will write that God's kindness is meant to lead people to repentance. This universal mercy is part of the scandal of the gospel.

The scholarly reading

God's benevolence extends universally—not to Israel alone but to all creation—manifesting in providential care.

Language and setting

The universalism here (טוֹב לַכּל, tov la-kol—good to all) marks a theological development: while Deuteronomic theology emphasizes covenantal particularity with Israel, wisdom psalms increasingly assert God's providential reach across all creatures. The phrase 'compassion rests upon all He has made' (רַחֲמָיו עַל כָּל מַעֲשָׂיו, rachamav al kol ma'asav) employs נָחַת (nachath—to rest, settle, descend), suggesting compassion as active, continuous bestowal rather than reactive response. Augustine's commentary emphasizes how this universalism requires no merit: creation itself—merely being made by God—constitutes the ground for providential care.

Voice

The psalmist articulating a comprehensive cosmological vision.

Significance

This universality anticipates the New Testament's inclusive soteriology (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9) and Jesus's teaching that God 'makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good' (Matthew 5:45)—grace as fundamentally non-discriminatory.

7They will extol the fame of Your abundant goodness and sing joyfully of Your righteousness.

8The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion.

9The LORD is good to all; His compassion rests on all He has made.

10All You have made will give You thanks, O LORD, and Your saints will bless You.

11They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might,

Read all of Psalm 145 — David's last psalm of praise. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. His greatness is unsearchable — but David searches anyway.