Psalms 145:20

Psalms 145:20

This psalm is a broad hymn of praise focusing on the Lord’s goodness, faithfulness, and righteousness. Psalm 145 is a royal, wisdom, and worship blend, traditionally attributed to David as a didactic acrostic of sorts in Hebrew praising God’s mighty acts. Verse 20 sits at the closing arc of this psalm’s first half, contrasting those who love God with those who oppose Him. The wording—“The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy”—speaks in the stark, yet balanced, diction common to the psalms. The phrase “preserveth” indicates divine care and protection for those who belong to Yahweh, aligning with covenant promises to love and obey Him. The second half acknowledges divine justice: the wicked will meet accountability. In the ancient Near Eastern world, this would counterbalance the frequent claims of power by tyrants; here, God’s protection of the faithful and His judgment of the wicked are not rival powers but two sides of the same sovereign governance. The verse fits a broader biblical pattern: God defends the vulnerable and eliminates what subverts His good order. It invites readers to trust in God’s faithful preservation while acknowledging that human rebellion brings consequences.

The verse highlights two core theological themes: divine faithfulness to the covenant community and righteous judgment. God’s preservation of those who love Him affirms His loyal love (hesed) toward the faithful, even when circumstances look bleak. It also anchors hope in God’s reliability rather than in political protection or human strength. The sober note about the wicked underscores moral accountability in God’s economy; justice is not outsourced to chance or to human systems. This dual emphasis—care for the faithful and judgment of the wicked—shapes a robust theology of God as both gracious protector and holy judge. It also foreshadows later biblical motifs of preservation in hardship (for the righteous) and downfall of the proud (the wicked). The verse invites believers to align with God’s character: love Him, remain faithful, and trust that He will preserve while executing justice in His timing.

Practically, this verse invites you to measure where you place your trust. If you love God, you can face uncertainties—persecution, loss, or social pressure—knowing He preserves. That doesn’t mean a trouble-free life; it means God’s sovereignty and care are reliable, and your future is grounded in Him. For daily life, this might translate into choosing integrity at work even when it risks advancement, or standing by the vulnerable in your community, confident that God notices and protects the faithful. It also challenges attitudes toward “the wicked” by guarding against cynicism or vengeance—recognize that God will right wrongs in His timing, not ours. Practical steps: cultivate a habit of prayerful remembrance of God’s faithfulness, invest in relationships that reflect covenant love, and pursue justice in concrete, peaceful ways—feeding the hungry, defending the oppressed, comforting the sorrowful—trusting that preservation follows faithful living.

Cross-References: Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 18:25-26; Psalm 31:23; Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 2:8