Psalms 145:18
The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This verse appears in Israel's long tradition of prayer and petition, exemplified in stories like Hannah's prayer (1 Samuel 1:10-11) and Hezekiah's prayer (Isaiah 37:14-20), where sincere, desperate prayer received divine response. In post-exilic Judaism, when temple sacrifice was limited, prayer became the primary means of accessing God, making this verse central to religious practice. The phrase 'call upon him in truth' relates to biblical warnings against idolatry and false worship (Isaiah 29:13, Jeremiah 29:13). In the Psalms themselves, verses 3, 4, 6, and 9 of this same chapter emphasize calling upon God. Jewish prayer practice (before and after the temple's destruction in 70 AD) emphasized the availability of God to those who pray sincerely. The verse provided hope that, despite political dispersion and loss of centralized worship, every individual maintained direct access to God through prayer.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean for God to be 'nigh' to those who call upon Him, and how does this comfort those facing isolation or abandonment?
- Why is calling upon God 'in truth' essential to experiencing His nearness?
- How does this promise of God's nearness to all who call upon Him challenge privilege-based approaches to accessing God?
- In what ways does the assurance of God's availability transform our approach to suffering and difficulty?
- How should understanding God's nearness in prayer affect our confidence in presenting needs and struggles to Him?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse emphasizes God's availability in response to prayer: 'The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.' The word 'nigh' (Hebrew 'karov') means near, close, or accessible. This is not describing God's geographical proximity (God is omnipresent) but His relational availability - He listens and responds when called upon. The phrase 'that call upon him' (qoreah), meaning to invoke, cry out, or summon, suggests desperate earnestness rather than casual reference. The qualifier 'in truth' (be'emet) is crucial: God is near to those who call upon Him genuinely, with sincerity and authenticity. This excludes magical thinking or manipulative prayer; God responds to genuine invocation. The verse establishes that the relationship between human calling and divine response is not transactional but relational. God does not reward correct prayers or formulas but responds to authentic seeking. This provides immense pastoral comfort: prayer does not depend on eloquence, education, or social status but on truthfulness of heart.