Psalms 138:2-8

2 I bow down ¹toward your ²holy 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 ³All 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 ⁴the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.

6 ⁵For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 ⁶Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you ⁷preserve my life; you ⁸stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your ⁹right hand delivers me.

8 The LORD will ¹⁰fulfill his purpose for me; ¹¹your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake ¹²the work of your hands.

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Psalms 138:2-8 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.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 12

1. Psalms 28:2; 1 Kings 8:29
2. Psalms 5:7
3. See Psalms 102:15
4. Psalms 103:7
5. [Psalms 131:1; Proverbs 3:34; Luke 1:48; James 4:6]; See Psalms 113:5, 6
6. [Psalms 23:4]
7. See Psalms 71:20
8. [1 Samuel 24:6; Job 1:12]
9. Psalms 60:5
10. Psalms 57:2; [Philippians 1:6]
11. Psalms 136:1; See 1 Chronicles 16:41
12. See Psalms 100:3

Footnotes 2

[a]. Or you have exalted your word above all your name
[b]. Hebrew you made me bold in my soul with strength

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.