David
Psalm 138
A Psalm of David.
Scripture (KJV)
1I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2I 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.
3In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
6Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7Though 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.
8The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
Summary
Psalm 138 is a psalm of thanksgiving in which David praises God with his whole heart, even "before the gods"—a bold declaration that the Lord alone is worthy of worship. He worships toward the holy temple and praises God’s name for His lovingkindness and truth, marveling that God has magnified His Word above all His name. David recalls a personal testimony: when he cried out, God answered and strengthened him with soul-deep strength. The psalm then expands to a global vision: all the kings of the earth will praise the Lord when they hear His words, and they will sing of the greatness of His glory. The Lord, though high, regards the lowly while knowing the proud from afar.
The final verses return to personal confidence: even in the midst of trouble, God will revive him, stretch out His hand against enemies, and save him. The psalm closes with trust that the Lord will perfect what concerns him, because His mercy endures forever. The major themes are thanksgiving, God’s Word, humility, global worship, and perseverance. Practically, the psalm teaches that personal thanksgiving fuels a global vision of God’s glory and that the high God cares for the lowly. The great lesson is that the God who magnifies His Word will perfect His work in the lives of those who cry to Him.
Key Themes
A Prayer from Psalm 138
I praise You with my whole heart, Lord, and sing praise to You before every rival claim of authority. I worship toward Your holy temple and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and truth; You have magnified Your Word above all Your name. In the day I cried, You answered and strengthened me with strength in my soul. May all the kings of the earth praise You when they hear the words of Your mouth, and sing of the greatness of Your glory. Though You are high, You regard the lowly; keep me lowly, that You may regard me. Though I walk in trouble, revive me, stretch out Your hand against my enemies, and save me. Perfect what concerns me, for Your mercy endures forever. Forsake not the work of Your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions
- 1When did God last answer me on the day I cried, and how can I thank Him for it today?
- 2What does it mean that God has "magnified his word above all his name"?
- 3How does the truth that the high God regards the lowly change how I approach Him?
- 4What "concern" in my life do I need to entrust to the God who perfects His work?
Related Psalms
Psalm 9
“I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”
Thanksgiving for God’s righteous judgment and a refuge for the oppressed.
Read morePsalm 30
“I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.”
Thanksgiving for healing and deliverance, weeping turned to dancing.
Read morePsalm 40
“I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”
Thanksgiving for rescue and a delight to do God’s will.
Read morePsalm 116
“I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.”
Psalm 116 is a personal thanksgiving psalm in which the worshipper declares, “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.
Read morePsalm 136
“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”
Psalm 136 is the great liturgical psalm of thanksgiving, built on a single refrain repeated twenty-six times: "for his mercy endureth for ever.
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