Psalms 138

Psalm 138

1

Of David.

1 I give thanks to you with all my heart, LORD. I sing your praise before all other gods.

2 I bow toward your holy temple and thank your name for your loyal love and faithfulness because you have made your name and word greater than everything else.

3 On the day I cried out, you answered me. You encouraged me with inner strength.

4 Let all the earth's rulers give thanks to you, LORD, when they hear what you say.

5 Let them sing about the LORD's ways because the LORD's glory is so great!

6 Even though the LORD is high, he can still see the lowly, but God keeps his distance from the arrogant.

7 Whenever I am in deep trouble, you make me live again; you send your power against my enemies' wrath; you save me with your strong hand.

8 The LORD will do all this for my sake. Your faithful love lasts forever, LORD! Don't let go of what your hands have made.

Psalms 138 Commentary

Chapter 138

The psalmist praises God for answering prayer. (1-5) The Lord's dealing with the humble and the proud. (6-8)

Verses 1-5 When we can praise God with our whole heart, we need not be unwilling for the whole world to witness our gratitude and joy in him. Those who rely on his loving-kindness and truth through Jesus Christ, will ever find him faithful to his word. If he spared not his own Son, how shall he not with him freely give us all things? If God gives us strength in our souls, to bear the burdens, resist the temptations, and to do the duties of an afflicted state, if he strengthens us to keep hold of himself by faith, and to wait with patience for the event, we are bound to be thankful.

Verses 6-8 Though the Lord is high, yet he has respect to every lowly, humbled sinner; but the proud and unbelieving will be banished far from his blissful presence. Divine consolations have enough in them to revive us, even when we walk in the midst of troubles. And God will save his own people that they may be revived by the Holy Spirit, the Giver of life and holiness. If we give to God the glory of his mercy, we may take to ourselves the comfort. This confidence will not do away, but quicken prayer. Whatever good there is in us, it is God works in us both to will and to do. The Lord will perfect the salvation of every true believer, and he will never forsake those whom he has created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works.

Footnotes

• [a]. LXX, Syr, Tg, DSS (11QPs a); MT lacks Lord.
• [b]. Correction; Heb uncertain
• [c]. Heb uncertain

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 138

\\<>\\. This psalm is generally thought to have been written by David upon his being advanced to the throne; on account of which he praises the Lord, who had supported him under many exercises, and had made good his promise to him, at least in part; and he firmly believed the accomplishment of the rest, that he would perfect what concerned him, Ps 138:8. It seems as if this psalm was composed between his being king over Judah and over all Israel. Though Theodoret understands the psalm as a thanksgiving of the Jews upon their return from Babylon, which David prophesied of. The Syriac version calls it a thanksgiving with a prophecy; as indeed it is a prophecy of the Messiah's kingdom, and of the calling of the Gentiles in the latter day, as appears from Ps 138:4.