Psalm 145:18 teaches that the Lord is near to all who call on Him in truth. This encourages us in several ways:

1. God is accessible
   • We do not have to be in a special place or achieve a certain level of spirituality before approaching Him.
   • Whenever we sincerely seek Him, He is near and attentive.
2. We can pray with confidence
   • The verse reminds us that our prayers are not sent into empty space.
   • God hears and responds to those who call on Him with genuine faith and honesty.
3. Sincerity matters
   • The phrase “in truth” points to wholehearted, authentic devotion rather than mere outward words.
   • God desires a real relationship with us, not just religious routine.
4. We are never alone
   • During times of fear, grief, uncertainty, or loneliness, this verse reassures us that God’s presence is close to His people.
   • His nearness brings comfort, guidance, and strength.

Practical application: When facing a challenge today, take a moment to pray honestly and openly. Psalm 145:18 reminds us that God is not distant. He is near to those who sincerely call upon Him and seek His help.

Simple devotional thought:
The greatest comfort of this verse is not merely that God answers prayer, but that He draws near. His presence is often the very encouragement our hearts need most.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18 ESV)

This verse is found in the last section of Psalm 145, which includes verses 13b through 20, which is about God providing for his creatures. The verses of this section extend the thought of verses 8 and 9, which reads: ⁸ “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. ⁹ The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” Verses 14 through 17 then develop the idea of God’s kindness to all his creatures, which is received by his chosen people (verses 18 through 20), especially those who call on him in truth.

“The Lord is near to all who call on him” especially those who are broken hearted and crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). An important question was asked in Deuteronomy 4:7 ESV: “For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?” We don’t have to work our way to him or somehow earn our right to be close to him, we simple have to call upon him and he will be near.

Our verse continues with a qualifier. He will be near “to all who call on him in truth.” That qualifier is extended further to include those who fear him (verse 19) and love him (verse 20). Those who fear him and cry out to him, he hears their cry and he saves them. Those who love him, he “protects” (NET).

“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” and will become the true worshipers who will worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:23).” “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV). That time of need may be salvation or the forgiveness of our sin as believers. Whatever the need, let us be sure to keep the Lord close to us.

“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” — Psalm 145:18 (ESV)

1. What does it mean that “the LORD is near to all who call on him”?
Answer: God’s nearness speaks of His personal presence, attention, and care. David does not portray God as distant or uninterested in those who seek Him. Although God is exalted above all creation, He willingly draws near to people who call upon Him. This gives believers confidence in prayer: we are not speaking into emptiness but approaching the living God who hears us. His nearness does not mean He will always answer exactly as we desire, but it assures us that He is present, attentive, and working according to His wisdom and love.

2. Why does the verse emphasize calling upon God?
Answer: Calling upon the Lord expresses dependence upon Him. It recognizes that our strength, wisdom, and resources are insufficient and that we need God. Prayer is therefore more than presenting requests; it is an expression of faith. When we call upon God, we acknowledge who He is and place our circumstances into His hands. Psalm 145 encourages us to approach God confidently because His character is gracious, compassionate, faithful, and good.

3. What does it mean to call upon God “in truth”?
Answer: To call upon God “in truth” means approaching Him sincerely and genuinely rather than merely going through religious motions. God desires honesty of heart. We come before Him recognizing who He truly is and acknowledging our own needs, weaknesses, and sins. Calling upon God in truth also means approaching Him according to what He has revealed about Himself rather than attempting to make God conform to our own desires. Genuine prayer rests upon God’s character, promises, and revealed truth.

4. Does God’s nearness depend upon our circumstances or feelings?
Answer: No. There may be times when God seems especially close and other times when we do not sense His presence at all. Psalm 145:18 bases God’s nearness on His character and promise, not on our emotions. Therefore, when circumstances are painful or confusing, believers can continue calling upon Him in faith. Our feelings may change from day to day, but God’s faithfulness does not. The verse encourages us to trust the reality of God’s presence even when our emotions tell us otherwise.

5. How should Psalm 145:18 influence the way we pray?
Answer: This verse should encourage prayer that is confident, sincere, and persistent. We do not need to impress God with elaborate words or hide our struggles from Him. We can come honestly before Him with praise, confession, thanksgiving, questions, fears, and needs. Because God promises to be near to those who sincerely call upon Him, prayer becomes an expression of relationship rather than simply a religious obligation.

6. What encouragement does Psalm 145:18 provide during difficult seasons of life?
Answer: It reminds us that difficulty does not mean abandonment. When circumstances become overwhelming, one of our greatest temptations is to assume that God has become distant. David teaches the opposite: we can call upon the Lord precisely because He is near. We may not immediately understand what God is doing, and our circumstances may not quickly change, but we do not face them alone. God’s presence becomes a source of strength, comfort, wisdom, and hope while we wait for His purposes to unfold.

7. What central truth should we remember from Psalm 145:18?
Answer: God is not distant from those who sincerely seek Him. The God who rules over all creation also listens to the individual believer who calls upon Him. Psalm 145:18 therefore invites us to replace self-reliance with dependence, fear with prayer, and uncertainty with trust. Whatever we face, we can call upon the Lord with confidence, knowing that He hears, He cares, and He is near.