Psalms — Chapter 138

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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.

1I will give thee thanks with my whole heart: Before the gods will I sing praises unto thee.

2I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

3In the day that I called thou answeredst me, Thou didst encourage me with strength in my soul.

4All the kings of the earth shall give thee thanks, O Jehovah, For they have heard the words of thy mouth.

5Yea, they shall sing of the ways of Jehovah; For great is the glory of Jehovah.

6For though Jehovah is high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; But the haughty he knoweth from afar.

7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me; Thou wilt stretch forth thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies, And thy right hand will save me.

8Jehovah will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, [endureth] for ever; Forsake not the works of thine own hands. Psalm 139 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

1By David. I will give you thanks with all my heart; before the heavenly assembly I will sing praises to you.

2I will bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name, because of your loyal love and faithfulness, for you have exalted your promise above the entire sky.

3When I cried out for help, you answered me. You made me bold and energized me.

4Let all the kings of the earth give thanks to you, O Lord, when they hear the words you speak.

5Let them sing about the Lord’s deeds, for the Lord’s splendor is magnificent.

6Though the Lord is exalted, he looks after the lowly, and from far away humbles the proud.

7Even when I must walk in the midst of danger, you revive me. You oppose my angry enemies, and your right hand delivers me.

8The Lord avenges me. O Lord, your loyal love endures. Do not abandon those whom you have made.

1I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.

2I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.

3In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

4All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, Yahweh, for they have heard the words of your mouth.

5Yes, they will sing of the ways of Yahweh; for great is Yahweh’s glory.

6For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but the proud, he knows from afar.

7Though I walk in the middle of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me.

8Yahweh will fulfill that which concerns me; your loving kindness, Yahweh, endures forever. Don’t forsake the works of your own hands.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

A thanksgiving psalm of David — 'I will praise thee with my whole heart'; God answered when David called and strengthened his soul; though the LORD is high, He regards the lowly; His steadfast love endures forever.

Authorship & Background

Author: Multiple authors — primarily David (73 psalms attributed), plus Asaph (12), Sons of Korah (11), Solomon (2), Moses (1), Heman (1), Ethan (1), and anonymous. The Psalter was compiled over approximately 1000 years and served as Israel's hymnal and prayer book. The book is divided into five 'books' (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150), paralleling the five books of Moses. Key themes: worship, lament, praise, trust, kingship, creation, wisdom, Messianic prophecy, and the full range of human emotion brought before God.
Classification: Individual Thanksgiving / Hymn of Praise Attributed Author: David (superscription: "A Psalm of David") Key Themes: Wholehearted praise, God's faithfulness to His word, answered prayer bringing boldness, God's regard for the lowly, the LORD perfecting what concerns His people
Historical Context: Psalm 138 opens the final Davidic collection in the Psalter (138-145). It is a confident psalm of thanksgiving — David praises with his whole heart, declaring that God has magnified His word above all His name (v.2). The psalm moves from personal thanksgiving to universal vision (all kings will praise God) to confident trust that God will complete what He has begun. Verse 8 contains a powerful theological declaration about God's ongoing work in the believer's life.
Structure:
  • Wholehearted Thanksgiving (vv.1-3)
  • All Kings Shall Praise (vv.4-5)
  • God's Regard for the Lowly (v.6)
  • Confidence in God's Preservation (vv.7-8)

Map & Geography

  • No specific geographic locations are referenced in this chapter.

Reflection

  • 1. God magnifies His Word (v.2). If God values His word above His name, how much should we? Scripture is not secondary — it is God's ultimate self-expression. Trust it absolutely.
  • 2. He is near to the lowly, far from the proud (v.6). Want nearness to God? Choose lowliness. Want distance? Choose pride. The equation is that simple.
  • 3. God will complete His work in you (v.8). You are not finished. God is still working. Whatever concerns you, the LORD is perfecting. Don't judge the unfinished product — the Potter isn't done.
  • 4. "Forsake not the works of thine own hands" (v.8). A prayer God loves to answer: Don't abandon me — I'm YOUR work. The appeal is not to our worth but to His investment.