Psalms 138:1-7

1 I will give thanks to you with all my heart. I will make music to praise you in front of the false gods.

2 I will bow toward your holy temple. I will give thanks to your name because of your mercy and truth. You have made your name and your promise greater than everything.

3 When I called, you answered me. You made me bold by strengthening my soul.

4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to you, O LORD, because they have heard the promises you spoke.

5 They will sing this about the ways of the LORD: "The LORD's honor is great!"

6 Even though the LORD is high above, he sees humble people [close up], and he recognizes arrogant people from a distance.

7 Even though I walk into the middle of trouble, you guard my life against the anger of my enemies. You stretch out your hand, and your right hand saves me.

Psalms 138:1-7 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.