Psalms 138:1-7

1 I will give thee thanks with my whole heart: Before the gods will I sing praises unto thee.

2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

3 In the day that I called thou answeredst me, Thou didst encourage me with strength in my soul.

4 All the kings of the earth shall give thee thanks, O Jehovah, For they have heard the words of thy mouth.

5 Yea, they shall sing of the ways of Jehovah; For great is the glory of Jehovah.

6 For though Jehovah is high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; But the haughty he knoweth from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me; Thou wilt stretch forth thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies, And thy right hand will save 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.