Psalms 138:1-6

1 <> I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.

2 I will bow down toward your holy temple, And give thanks to your Name for your lovingkindness and for your truth; For you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.

3 In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

4 All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, Yahweh, For they have heard the words of your mouth.

5 Yes, they will sing of the ways of Yahweh; For great is Yahweh's glory.

6 For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly; But the proud, he knows from afar.

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.