Psalms 145:4 — Word Study
WLCדּ֣וֹר לְ֭דוֹר יְשַׁבַּ֣ח מַעֲשֶׂ֑יךָ וּגְב֖וּרֹתֶ֣יךָ יַגִּֽידוּ׃
BSA◂One generationdôwr [successive, from father to son, period of time, group of people] will commendshâbach▸ [praise, laud, soothe] Your worksmaʻăseh [deeds, actions, mighty acts] ◂to the nextdôwr and will proclaimnâgad▸ [tell, declare, stand boldly] Your mighty actsgᵉbûwrâh [powerful, strong, brave, mighty deeds, great works]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| דּ֣וֹר | generation | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לְ֭דוֹר | to generation | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| יְשַׁבַּ֣ח | it will extol | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| מַעֲשֶׂ֑יךָ | works your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| וּגְב֖וּרֹתֶ֣יךָ | and mighty deeds your | Conjunction, noun common feminine plural construct, suffix |
| יַגִּֽידוּ׃ | they will declare | Verb, Hiphil, imperfect third person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | One generation will commend Your works to the next, and will proclaim Your mighty acts— |
| KJV | One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. |
| ASV | One generation shall laud thy works to another, And shall declare thy mighty acts. |
| YLT | Generation to generation praiseth Thy works, And Thy mighty acts they declare. |
| WEB | One generation will commend your works to another, and will declare your mighty acts. |
| BBE | One generation after another will give praise to your great acts, and make clear the operation of your strength. |
The translations agree on the essence of the verse, focusing on the act of praising God's works.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a prepositional phrase and a conjunction leading into a second verb, creating a clear structure of praise directed towards God.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectדּוֹר
verbשָׁבַח
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 145:4
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — A Celebration of God's Greatnessgenerated
Psalm 145:4 emphasizes the importance of one generation passing on the knowledge of God's mighty acts to the next. This psalm is a part of a larger hymn that praises God's greatness and unsearchable nature, as seen in the preceding verse Psalm 145:3. The psalmist not only acknowledges God's deeds but also encourages the faithful to share these truths with future generations, highlighting the communal aspect of faith and worship.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 44:1–2 | We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us the work You did in their days, in the days of old. |
| 2 | Psalm 71:18 | Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I proclaim Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come. |
| 3 | Psalm 78:3–7 | that we have heard and known and our fathers have relayed to us. |
| 4 | Exodus 12:26–27 | When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ |
| 5 | Exodus 13:14–15 | In the future, when your son asks you, ‘What does this mean?’ you are to tell him, ‘With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְשַׁבַּח, ye.sha.Bachgenerated
The verb שָׁבַח (shabach) is a Piel form meaning to praise or commend, often with a loud voice. This word captures the essence of expressing admiration for God's deeds, suggesting a communal and public acknowledgment of His greatness.
The parsing indicates that it is in the imperfect tense, meaning it describes an ongoing action. This reflects the continuous nature of praise that should be offered by one generation to the next, emphasizing the importance of sharing God's works.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יְשַׁבַּח governs the sentence, indicating the action of praising. The structure is straightforward, with the subject דּוֹר (generation) leading into the verb and followed by the objects of praise, God's works and mighty deeds.
The sentence flows from the subject to the action and then to what is being praised, showing a clear progression of thought that emphasizes the act of commending God's greatness across generations.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew word יְשַׁבַּח is rendered as ἐπαινέσει, which also means to praise. This choice aligns closely with the original meaning, maintaining the focus on public acknowledgment of God's deeds.
The translation retains the communal aspect of praise, as the Greek term also implies a collective declaration of God's greatness.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 145:4 tells us that one generation will praise God's works to the next and declare His mighty deeds. This verse emphasizes the importance of sharing God's greatness and acts from one generation to another, ensuring that His glory is recognized and celebrated.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To commend God's works means to praise and acknowledge the great things He has done, sharing these testimonies with others.
It is important because it helps to build faith and understanding in future generations, ensuring that God's greatness is recognized and celebrated.
We can share God's works through storytelling, teaching, and living out our faith in ways that reflect His goodness and power.
Examples of God's mighty acts include creation, miracles, and His faithfulness in our lives, as well as the historical events recorded in Scripture.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen God's works in my life that I can share with others?
- How can I actively participate in passing on the knowledge of God's greatness to the next generation?
- What are some specific stories of God's deeds that I can tell to encourage others?
- How does understanding God's mighty acts impact my faith and the faith of those around me?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers have commented on this psalm, emphasizing the importance of praising God and sharing His deeds across generations.
For how great things besides has His boundless Goodness and illimitable Greatness made, which we do not know! When we lift the gaze of our eyes even to the heaven, and then recall it from sun, moon, and stars to the earth,Early Church Fathers on Psalms 145 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 145:4 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleOne generation shall praise thy works to another,.... The works of providence done in one age shall be told by the father to the son with praise to the great Performer of them, and so be transmitted
Read John Gill on Psalms 145 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryOne generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 145 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe people that live in one age shall relate them to their posterity, and so successively in all ages.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 145 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 145:4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.Ver. 4. One generation shall praise thy works to another] God’ s praises are many, and man’ s life short, and one generation succeedeth another: let them relate God’ s wonderful works one to another, and so perpetuate his praises to all posterity.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 145 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(4) Shall praise.—Or, praises, with idea of indefinite continuance; and so in the following verses.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 145 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 4. One generation] Thy creating and redeeming acts are recorded in thy word; but thy wondrous providential dealings with mankind must be handed down by tradition, from generation to generation; for they are in continual occurrence, and consequently innumerable.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 145 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges4. shall praise] R.V. shall laud, as the word is a different one from that in Psalms 145:2. The verbs might be rendered as optatives: let one generation laud … and declare &c., but the rendering of the A.V. is preferable. thy mighty acts] of deliverance, Psalms 20:6; Psalms 106:2.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 145 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleOne generation shall praise thy works ... - Shall praise thee on account of thy works or thy doings. That is, Thy praise shall be always kept up on the earth. See the notes at Isaiah 38:19; notes at Psalms 19:2.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 145 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
One generation will commend Your works to the next, and will proclaim Your mighty acts—
One generation will commend your works to another, and will declare your mighty acts.
One generation will commend Your works to the next, and will proclaim Your mighty acts—
One generation will praise your deeds to another, and tell about your mighty acts!
Tyndale line
One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
One generation shall laud thy works to another, And shall declare thy mighty acts.
One generation shall laud thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
Generation shall praise thy works vnto generation, and declare thy power.
Strictly literal
One generation shall laud thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
Generation to generation praiseth Thy works, And Thy mighty acts they declare.
Generation to generation praises Your works, || And they declare Your mighty acts.
One generation shall praise thy works to the other, and thy mighty acts shall they declare.
One generation will praise your deeds to the next and will proclaim your mighty actions.
From the Latin
His spirit shall go forth, and he shall return into his earth: in that day all their thoughts shall perish.
Simplified
Let every generation tell the next all that you do, sharing the stories of your amazing miracles!
One generation after another will give praise to your great acts, and make clear the operation of your strength.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely in their wording for this verse, with the Septuagint reflecting the Hebrew structure and meaning accurately. The Dead Sea Scrolls also align with the Masoretic Text, confirming the consistency of this verse across ancient witnesses.
דּ֣וֹר לְ֭דוֹר יְשַׁבַּ֣ח מַעֲשֶׂ֑יךָ וּגְב֖וּרֹתֶ֣יךָ יַגִּֽידוּ׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
דור לדור ישבחו מעשי׳כה וגבורתי׳כה יגידו ברוך יהוה וברוך שמ׳ו לעולם ועד
12 words on the leather.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 145:4
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word דּוֹר (dor) encompasses meanings related to a period or generation, often emphasizing the transitory nature of life. It can refer to a specific age, a class of people living at a certain time, or a dwelling place. The entries suggest a focus on both the temporal and spatial aspects of existence.
דּוֹר, דֹּר n.m. period, generation, dwelling
period, age, generation, mostly poet.
of men living at a particular time (period, age), generation, as transitory
generation characterized by quality or condition, class of men
dwelling-place, habitation
base
H1755 דּוֹר, דֹּר period, generation, dwelling . period, age, generation, mostly poet.
. of men living at a particular time (period, age), generation, as transitory
. generation characterized by quality or condition, class of men
. dwelling-place, habitation
1755 dowr dore
or (shortened) dor {dore}; from 1752; properly, a revolution
of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling:--age, X
evermore, generation, (n-)ever, posterity.
see HEBREW for 01752
דּוֹר (dor) — generation.
1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling
1a) period, age, generation (period of time)
1b) generation (those living during a period)
1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men)
1d) dwelling-place, habitation
Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
jen-er-a'-shun (Latin generatio, from genero, "beget"):
(1) The translation
(a) of dor, "circle," "generation," hence, "age," "period," "cycle": "many generations" (De 32:7);
(b) the people of any particular period or those born about the same time: "Righteous before me in this generation" (Ge 7:1); "four generations" (Job 42:16);
Generation
Gen. 2:4, “These are the generations,” means the “history.” 5:1, “The book of the generations,” means a family register, or history of Adam. 37:2, “The generations of Jacob” = the history of Jacob and his descendants. 7:1, “In this generation” = in this age. Ps. 49:19, “The generation of his fathers” = the dwelling of his fathers, i.e., the grave. Ps. 73:15, “The generation of thy children” = the contemporary race. Isa. 53:8, “Who shall declare his generation?” = His manner of life who shall declare? or rather = His race, posterity, shall be so numerous that no one shall be able to declare it.
In the long-lived patriarchal age a generation seems to have been computed at 100 years, (Genesis 15:16) comp. Genesis15:13 and Eccl 12:40 But subsequently the reckoning was the same which has been adopted by modern civilized nations, viz. from thirty to forty years (Job 42:16) (Generation is also used to signify the men of an age or time, as contemporaries, (Genesis 6:9; Isaiah 53:8) posterity , especially in legal formulae, (Leviticus 3:17) etc.; fathers, or ancestors. (Psalms 49:19)
Besides the common acceptation of this word, as signifying race, descent, lineage, it is used for the history and genealogy of a person, as in Ge 5:1, "the book of the generations of Adam," that is, the history of Adam’s creation and of his posterity. So in Ge 2:4, "The generations of the heavens and of the earth," that is, their genealogy, so to speak, the history of the creation of heaven and earth; also in Mt 1:1, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ," that is, the genealogy of Jesus Christ," that is, the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the history of his descent and life. "The present generation" comprises all those who are now alive; "This generation shall not pass till all be fulfilled," some now living shall witness the…
The Hebrew word דּוֹר (dor) encompasses meanings related to a period or generation, often emphasizing the transitory nature of life. It can refer to a specific age, a class of people living at a certain time, or a dwelling place. The entries suggest a focus on both the temporal and spatial aspects of existence.
דּוֹר, דֹּר n.m. period, generation, dwelling
period, age, generation, mostly poet.
of men living at a particular time (period, age), generation, as transitory
generation characterized by quality or condition, class of men
dwelling-place, habitation
base
H1755 דּוֹר, דֹּר period, generation, dwelling . period, age, generation, mostly poet.
. of men living at a particular time (period, age), generation, as transitory
. generation characterized by quality or condition, class of men
. dwelling-place, habitation
1755 dowr dore
or (shortened) dor {dore}; from 1752; properly, a revolution
of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling:--age, X
evermore, generation, (n-)ever, posterity.
see HEBREW for 01752
דּוֹר (dor) — generation.
1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling
1a) period, age, generation (period of time)
1b) generation (those living during a period)
1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men)
1d) dwelling-place, habitation
Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
jen-er-a'-shun (Latin generatio, from genero, "beget"):
(1) The translation
(a) of dor, "circle," "generation," hence, "age," "period," "cycle": "many generations" (De 32:7);
(b) the people of any particular period or those born about the same time: "Righteous before me in this generation" (Ge 7:1); "four generations" (Job 42:16);
Generation
Gen. 2:4, “These are the generations,” means the “history.” 5:1, “The book of the generations,” means a family register, or history of Adam. 37:2, “The generations of Jacob” = the history of Jacob and his descendants. 7:1, “In this generation” = in this age. Ps. 49:19, “The generation of his fathers” = the dwelling of his fathers, i.e., the grave. Ps. 73:15, “The generation of thy children” = the contemporary race. Isa. 53:8, “Who shall declare his generation?” = His manner of life who shall declare? or rather = His race, posterity, shall be so numerous that no one shall be able to declare it.
In the long-lived patriarchal age a generation seems to have been computed at 100 years, (Genesis 15:16) comp. Genesis15:13 and Eccl 12:40 But subsequently the reckoning was the same which has been adopted by modern civilized nations, viz. from thirty to forty years (Job 42:16) (Generation is also used to signify the men of an age or time, as contemporaries, (Genesis 6:9; Isaiah 53:8) posterity , especially in legal formulae, (Leviticus 3:17) etc.; fathers, or ancestors. (Psalms 49:19)
Besides the common acceptation of this word, as signifying race, descent, lineage, it is used for the history and genealogy of a person, as in Ge 5:1, "the book of the generations of Adam," that is, the history of Adam’s creation and of his posterity. So in Ge 2:4, "The generations of the heavens and of the earth," that is, their genealogy, so to speak, the history of the creation of heaven and earth; also in Mt 1:1, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ," that is, the genealogy of Jesus Christ," that is, the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the history of his descent and life. "The present generation" comprises all those who are now alive; "This generation shall not pass till all be fulfilled," some now living shall witness the…
The Hebrew word שָׁבַח (shabach) is a primitive root that encompasses meanings related to both soothing and praising. It can refer to addressing someone in a loud tone, pacifying, or commending, particularly in a religious context. The entries indicate that it can also imply boasting in certain forms. Notably, the word appears in contexts involving both calming and glorifying.
[שָׁבַח] vb. Pi. soothe, still
Pi. he stilleth it
Hiph. stilling the roar of the seas.
base
[שָׁבַח] vb. Pi. laud, praise
Hithp. boast
base
H7623a שָׁבַח Pi. soothe, still H7623b שָׁבַח Pi. laud, praise
7623 shabach shaw-bakh'
a primitive root; properly, to address in a loud tone, i.e.
(specifically) loud; figuratively, to pacify (as if by
words):--commend, glory, keep in, praise, still, triumph.
שָׁבַח (sha.vach) — to soothe.
1) to soothe, still, stroke
1a) (Piel) to soothe, still
1b) (Hiphil) stilling (participle)
שָׁבַח (sha.vach) — to praise.
1) to laud, praise, commend
1a) (Piel)
1a1) to laud, praise (God)
1a2) to commend, congratulate (the dead)
1b) (Hithpael) to boast
Aramaic equivalent: she.vach (שְׁבַח "to praise" H7624)
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person masculine singularHVpi3ms
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma`aseh) means deed or work, encompassing a range of actions from good to bad, and includes concepts like business, labor, and products made. It can refer to specific achievements, works of God, or even customs. The entries suggest a broad application in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
מַעֲשֶׂה 233 n.m. deed, work
base
H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה deed, work
4639 ma`aseh mah-as-eh'
from 6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction;
abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically,
a poem) or (generally) property:--act, art, + bakemeat,
business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making,
occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, X well,
((handy-, needle-, net-))work(ing, - manship), wrought.
see HEBREW for 06213
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: work.
: work/product
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: justice.
: justice/right/righteousness
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: judgement.
: judgement/punishment
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: custom.
: custom/manner
N-mp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms
גְּבוּרָה (gbuwrah) refers to strength or might, encompassing concepts of valor and bravery. It is derived from a root related to force and power, often used in a figurative sense. The term can denote not only human strength but also the might of God, highlighting its significance in both personal and divine contexts.
גְּבוּרָה 61 n.f. strength, might
strength
might, valour
might of God
base
H1369 גְּבוּרָה strength, might
1369 gbuwrah gheb-oo-raw'
feminine passive participle from the same as 1368; force
(literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory:--
force, mastery, might, mighty (act, power), power, strength.
see HEBREW for 01368
גְּבוּרָה (ge.vu.rah) — might.
1) strength, might
1a) strength
1b) might, valour, bravery
1c) might, mighty deeds (of God)
Aramaic equivalent: ge.vu.rah (גְּבוּרָה "might" H1370)
Conj | N-fp | Suff — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural construct · suffixHC/Ncfpc/Sp2ms
נָגַד (nagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to declare or tell, with implications of being conspicuous or manifesting something. It covers a range of meanings including to announce, report, and make known, often through spoken word. The entries indicate that it can also mean to expose or predict, and in the Hophil form, it refers to something being told or reported.
[נָגַד] 363 vb. be conspicuous
Hiph. declare, tell
Hoph. be told, announced, reported
base
H5046 נָגַד be conspicuous . declare, tell
. be told, announced, reported
5046 nagad naw-gad'
a primitive root; properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out
opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest;
figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one
present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain,
praise:--bewray, X certainly, certify, declare(-ing),
denounce, expound, X fully, messenger, plainly, profess,
rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, X surely, tell, utter.
נָגַד (na.gad) — to tell.
1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known
1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare
1a1) to tell, announce, report
1a2) to declare, make known, expound
1a3) to inform of
1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim
1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess
1a5a) messenger (participle)
1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Hiphil · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVhi3mp