Psalm 138:1-6

A psalm of David.

1 Lord, I will praise you with all my heart. In front of those who think they are gods I will sing praise to you.

2 I will bow down facing your holy temple. I will praise your name, because you are loving and faithful. You have honored your name and your word more than anything else.

3 When I called out to you, you answered me. You made me strong and brave.

4 Lord, may all of the kings on earth praise you when they hear about what you have promised.

5 Lord, may they sing about what you have done, because your glory is great.

6 The LORD is in heaven. But he watches over those who are free of pride. He knows those who are proud and stays far away from them.

Psalm 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.