Psalms 138:1-6

1 (137-1) <For David himself.> I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: for thou hast heard the words of my mouth. I will sing praise to thee in the sight of the angels:

2 (137-2) I will worship towards thy holy temple, and I will give glory to thy name. For thy mercy, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy holy name above all.

3 (137-3) In what day soever I shall call upon thee, hear me: thou shalt multiply strength in my soul.

4 (137-4) May all the kings of the earth give glory to thee: for they have heard all the words of thy mouth.

5 (137-5) And let them sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.

6 (137-6) For the Lord is high, and looketh on the low: and the high he knoweth afar off.

Psalms 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.