Psalm 138:7

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve my life; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand delivers me.

Psalm 138:7 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 138:7

Though I walk in the midst of trouble
Trouble attends the best of men; both outward and inward trouble, from sin, Satan, and the world; yea, they are in the midst of it, surrounded with it; and it is a way in which they walk through this world, and enter the kingdom of heaven; it is continued unto them; it is a long walk, and yet will have an end; see ( Psalms 23:4 ) ;

thou wilt revive me;
preserve his life amidst all his troubles, support him under them, make him cheerful and fearless; revive his work of grace in him, quicken him to the lively exercise of grace, and fervent discharge of duty: this the Lord does by his gracious presence, by the discoveries of his love, and by the application of precious promises;

thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies;
to stop and restrain it; which he can easily do, when most violent and outrageous, ( Psalms 76:10 ) . Or, "against the nose of mine enemies" ^F23; strike them on the nose, as men do unruly horses to stop them: or give a slap on their face with the left hand, as Arama observes, the right being after mentioned;

and thy right hand shall save me;
for that has saving strength in it, ( Psalms 20:6 ) . This may be understood of Christ, who is not only the man of his right hand, but is the right hand of his righteousness; by whom he saves his people with a spiritual and eternal salvation, as well as with a temporal one, ( Isaiah 41:10 ) ( Hosea 1:7 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 (ybya Pa le) "super nasum inimicorum meorum", Montanus, Tigurine version; so Gussetius; "in faciem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Psalm 138:7 In-Context

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

6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou dost preserve my life; thou dost stretch out thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, and thy right hand delivers me.

8 The LORD will fulfil his purpose for me; thy steadfast love, O LORD, endures for ever. Do not forsake the work of thy hands.