Psalms 138:1-7

1 <> I will praise Thee with my whole heart; before the gods will I sing praise unto Thee.

2 I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth, for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.

3 In the day when I cried, Thou answered me, and strengthened me with strength in my soul.

4 All the kings of the earth shall praise Thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of Thy mouth.

5 Yea, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.

6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly, but the proud He knoweth afar off.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me; Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall 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.