Psalm 138:1-6

Listen to Psalm 138:1-6

Give Thanks to the Lord

1 1I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before 2the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down 3toward your 4holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. [a]
3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. [b]
4 5All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of 6the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 7For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

Psalm 138:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Unlock Deeper Insights: Get Over 20 Commentaries with Plus! Subscribe Now

Cross References 7

  • 1. 138:1 Ps. 111:1
  • 2. 138:1 Ps. 95:3; 96:5
  • 3. 138:2 Ps. 28:2; 1 Kgs. 8:29
  • 4. 138:2 Ps. 5:7
  • 5. 138:4 See Ps. 102:15
  • 6. 138:5 Ps. 103:7
  • 7. 138:6 [Ps. 131:1; Prov. 3:34; Luke 1:48; James 4:6]; See Ps. 113:5, 6

Footnotes 2

  • [a] 138:2 Or 'you have exalted your word above all your name'
  • [b] 138:3 Hebrew 'you made me bold in my soul with strength'
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025