The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read "holy" here as simply "pure" or "set apart," but the original Hebrew word carries a much richer meaning of steadfast love and kindness. This means God's righteousness isn't just about fairness; it's a powerful, active love that's woven into everything He does, even in His most challenging actions.
The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse concludes a powerful section of Psalm 145, which has been detailing God's faithfulness and goodness. Following declarations of God's constant care for all creation and his responsiveness to those who call on Him, this verse serves as a summation of God's character in all His actions. It bridges into the psalm's final verses, which call for all creation to praise God's holy name forever.
Ever feel like God's plan just doesn't add up? This verse tackles that head-on, reminding us that even when things look messy, God's ways are perfectly just.
God's Unwavering Justice
This verse declares that the LORD is "righteous in all his ways." What does that mean for us? It means that every single action God takes, every decision He makes, is in perfect alignment with His own just and holy character.
Beyond Human Understanding
Sometimes God's ways can seem confusing or even unfair from our limited perspective. We see the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer, and we scratch our heads. But this verse assures us that even in those inscrutable moments, God's justice holds true. Calvin points out that this is "incomprehensible to us," but we must "hold fast the truth, that God is just in all his ways." It's a profound act of faith to trust God's character when His actions are beyond our full understanding.
Consistency Through It All
'All his ways' and 'all his works' highlight God's perfect consistency. There's no inconsistency in His character or His dealings. From His decrees to His providential care, to His judgments and His redemptive acts, everything flows from His perfect, righteous nature. As Benson notes, "his ways are equal, though ours are unequal."
Righteousness might sound stern, but this verse adds another layer: God's kindness. Discover how justice and compassion aren't at odds in God's heart.
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The Mercy Woven In
The second part of the verse proclaims, "and kind in all his works." While "righteous" speaks to God's adherence to His perfect standard, "kind" (often translated from a Hebrew word that means steadfast love or mercy) speaks to His compassionate nature towards His creation.
Mercy in Judgment
Some commentaries suggest that "holy" could also be translated as "merciful" or "steadfastly loving" in this context. This doesn't mean God ignores sin, but that even in His judgments, His ultimate desire is good, and His mercy is present. Poole and Benson both highlight that "there is a mixture of mercy in the most severe and terrible works of God in this life."
God's Goodness Flows Freely
God's kindness isn't reserved for a select few; it's evident in "all his works." This encompasses His acts of creation, His ongoing providence, and His redemptive plan. Even when His actions are difficult to understand, they are ultimately expressions of His goodness and His desire to bless. Gill notes that all God does flows from His grace, mercy, and goodness.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name for God, revealing Him as the self-existent, eternal, and faithful I AM who enters into personal relationship with His people.
tsaddiq · Hebrew Adjective
Moral and ethical rectitude; it describes God’s nature as perfectly conformed to His own holy standard, ensuring He acts with justice and faithfulness.
chasid · Hebrew Adjective
Often translated as 'godly' or 'loyal love' (hesed); it denotes acts of grace, kindness, and mercy that go beyond what is strictly required, reflecting God's covenant loyalty.
This passage echoes Psalm 145:17, stating that God's work is perfect and that all his ways are just, true, and without iniquity.
Romans 3:25-26It explains how God can be both righteous and the justifier of believers through Christ, demonstrating His righteousness in His actions towards us.
Jeremiah 12:1This verse acknowledges the difficulty in understanding God's ways when the wicked prosper, but affirms that when tested, God's justice will be vindicated, showing He is righteous even when His actions are not immediately clear.
1 John 1:9This verse highlights God's faithfulness and justice in forgiving sins when we confess them, demonstrating His righteous and merciful character in practical application.
Romans 11:33This exclamation of awe reveals the unfathomable depth of God's wisdom and knowledge, suggesting that His righteousness and kindness, even when mysterious, are ultimately perfect and true.
clarkePsalms 145:17: "The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works."
The Lord is righteous - It was the similarity of this to the omitted verse, which should have been the fourteenth, that caused it to be omitted.
poolePsalms 145:17: "The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works."
Holy; or rather, merciful, as this word most commonly signifies. There is a mixture of mercy in the most severe and terrible works of God in this life, judgment without mercy being reserved for the next life, Jam 2:13 Revelation 14:10 .
It's easy to read "holy" here as simply "pure" or "set apart," but the original Hebrew word carries a much richer meaning of steadfast love and kindness. This means God's righteousness isn't just about fairness; it's a powerful, active love that's woven into everything He does, even in His most challenging actions.
This verse concludes a powerful section of Psalm 145, which has been detailing God's faithfulness and goodness. Following declarations of God's constant care for all creation and his responsiveness to those who call on Him, this verse serves as a summation of God's character in all His actions. It bridges into the psalm's final verses, which call for all creation to praise God's holy name forever.
This verse concludes a powerful section of Psalm 145, which has been detailing God's faithfulness and goodness. Following declarations of God's constant care for all creation and his responsiveness to those who call on Him, this verse serves as a summation of God's character in all His actions. It bridges into the psalm's final verses, which call for all creation to praise God's holy name forever.
"The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works." — It's easy to read "holy" here as simply "pure" or "set apart," but the original Hebrew word carries a much richer meaning of steadfast love and kindness. This means God's righteousness isn't just abo…
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Last reviewed October 2026