Psalms 145:18 Commentary: Near to Those Who Call in Truth

Psalm 145 is an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It is the last of the alphabetical psalms and bears the title 'A Praise of David.' Ancient Jewish tradition held that whoever recites this psalm three times daily with heart and tongue secures blessings in the age to come. The psalm celebrates God's kingdom, His care for all creation, and His special favour toward those who fear Him.

Verse 18 sits within a section (vv. 14, 20) that moves from God's universal provision to His intimate relationship with those who call on Him. The earlier verses describe how God upholds the falling, feeds every living thing, and satisfies the desires of all creatures. Against that backdrop, verse 18 narrows the focus: God is 'near' not only as provider for the world but as a personal listener to those who pray. The word 'near' (qarov) is used elsewhere for close kinship and immediate presence, as in Deuteronomy 4:7: 'What great nation has a god so near to them as the LORD our God is whenever we call on him?'

In the ancient Near East, calling on a deity's name was an act of worship and dependence. The contrast with false gods is stark: in 1 Kings 18, the prophets of Baal cried aloud to no avail, while Elijah's simple prayer was answered by fire. To call 'in truth' meant rejecting hypocrisy and idolatry, and coming before God with a sincere heart. The surrounding verses reinforce this: those who fear Him (v. 19) and love Him (v. 20) receive His salvation and preservation. God's nearness is not automatic for everyone; it is the blessing promised to those who seek Him honestly.

The text of Psalm 145:18 is stable across ancient manuscripts. The main textual question for the psalm as a whole is the absence of a verse beginning with the Hebrew letter nun (the thirteenth letter). This lacuna is supplied in some manuscripts and versions (e.g., the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls of Psalms) with a line echoing a nearby promise. However, this variant does not affect verse 18 specifically. The consulted commentaries note no significant variants for this verse.

Psalm 145:18 has been a source of comfort for believers throughout the ages. In Jewish tradition, the psalm's thrice-daily recitation made this verse a familiar promise of God's nearness in regular prayer. Early Christian writers such as Augustine saw in 'calling in truth' a call to worship God in spirit and truth, linking it to the new covenant. The Reformation era, with its emphasis on the believer's direct access to God, often cited this verse to assure the faithful that God hears their cries. It appears frequently in hymnody, such as Charles Wesley's hymns, as an anchor for trust in prayer. Across traditions, it has been used to encourage both private and corporate prayer, reminding the church that God does not require eloquence but honesty.

Three-point outline

1. God is near by nature, but He draws close in a special way, He is omnipresent, yet He promises relational nearness to those who call.
2. Calling 'in truth' means sincerity, not perfection, the Hebrew emet speaks of faithfulness and honesty. God welcomes our real prayers, not polished ones.
3. This nearness brings rescue and fulfilment, as verse 19 says, He fulfils the desire of those who fear Him and saves them when they cry out.

Five-point outline

1. The God who is near, His readiness to hear is not distant but personal.
2. The call that reaches Him, prayer is the means, but it must be authentic.
3. The test of truth, not correct words, but a heart that matches the mouth.
4. The promise of presence, He does not just hear; He comes near.
5. The invitation to all, 'all those who call' includes every person who comes to God in sincerity.

Illustration hooks

• The 911 call, when you're in danger, you don't give a polished speech; you cry out honestly. God hears that cry.
• The child waking a parent, a scared child doesn't need perfect words; the parent is near. God is even more ready to answer.
• The test of a broken phone, a call with static is still a call. Our prayers may be weak and distracted, but if our heart is sincere, He listens.

Questions your congregation is asking

• Does God hear my prayers even when I'm not feeling spiritual?
• What if I have doubts or hard questions, does that make my prayer 'untrue'?
• How can I tell if I'm calling on God with a sincere heart or just going through the motions?

This verse offers both a promise and a mirror. It tells us God is near to those who call, but it also asks us to examine how we call. As a group, read Psalm 145:18 together with its surrounding verses (14, 20) to see the full picture of God's care and the specific call to sincerity.

Discussion questions

1. What does this verse tell us about God's character? What kind of God is He?
2. The Hebrew word for 'truth' (emet) also means 'faithfulness' or 'reliability.' How does that shape your understanding of what it means to call 'in truth'?
3. Read Psalm 34:18 and Deuteronomy 4:7. How do these verses reinforce or expand the promise of Psalm 145:18?
4. Why do you think God attaches a condition ('in truth') to the promise of nearness? What does that reveal about prayer?
5. In what situations do you find it hardest to call on God in truth, when you feel angry, hypocritical, or distant? How does this verse speak to those moments?
6. How can we help each other in your small group or church to pray with more honesty and sincerity?
7. What is one practical step you can take this week to 'call on Him in truth' in your own prayer life?