Psalms 138

Thanksgiving for Yahweh’s Goodness

1

Of David.

1 I give you thanks with my whole heart; before [the] gods I sing your praise.

2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name, because of your loyal love and faithfulness, for you have magnified your word according to all your name.

3 {When} I called and you answered me, you emboldened me in my soul [with] strength.

4 All [the] kings of [the] earth will praise you, O Yahweh, when they have heard the words of your mouth,

5 and they will sing of the ways of Yahweh, because Yahweh's glory [is] great.

6 Though Yahweh [is] high, yet he sees [the] lowly, but [the] proud he perceives at a distance.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me alive. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my enemies, and you save me [with] your right hand.

8 Yahweh accomplishes [things] for my benefit. O Yahweh, your loyal love [endures] forever; do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalms 138 Commentary

Chapter 138

The psalmist praises God for answering prayer. (1-5) The Lord's dealing with the humble and the proud. (6-8)

Verses 1-5 When we can praise God with our whole heart, we need not be unwilling for the whole world to witness our gratitude and joy in him. Those who rely on his loving-kindness and truth through Jesus Christ, will ever find him faithful to his word. If he spared not his own Son, how shall he not with him freely give us all things? If God gives us strength in our souls, to bear the burdens, resist the temptations, and to do the duties of an afflicted state, if he strengthens us to keep hold of himself by faith, and to wait with patience for the event, we are bound to be thankful.

Verses 6-8 Though the Lord is high, yet he has respect to every lowly, humbled sinner; but the proud and unbelieving will be banished far from his blissful presence. Divine consolations have enough in them to revive us, even when we walk in the midst of troubles. And God will save his own people that they may be revived by the Holy Spirit, the Giver of life and holiness. If we give to God the glory of his mercy, we may take to ourselves the comfort. This confidence will not do away, but quicken prayer. Whatever good there is in us, it is God works in us both to will and to do. The Lord will perfect the salvation of every true believer, and he will never forsake those whom he has created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works.

Footnotes

• [a]. The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm
• [b]. Or "promise"
• [c]. Or "beyond all your name"
• [d]. Literally "In the day"
• [e]. Or "heard about the words"
• [f]. Hebrew "knows"

Chapter Summary

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.