Psalms · psalm 138 of 150
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Psalm 138 is a prayer of thanksgiving by David. He thanks the Lord with his whole heart for his steadfast love and faithfulness, for answering when he called and for strengthening his soul. He announces that the kings of the earth will also praise him, affirms that the Lord, though high, regards the lowly, and trusts that the Lord will preserve him in the midst of trouble and fulfill his purpose.
Psalm 138 opens the last collection of David's psalms in the Psalter, Psalms 138 to 145. Unlike others that arise from distress, this one begins with gratitude for a prayer already answered. Its tone is one of personal trust and missionary vision: David's praise reaches out to the kings of the earth. The word gods in the first verse has been understood in several ways, and it is worth explaining.
The psalm begins with a vow of thanks: I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise. He bows toward the temple and gives thanks to the Lord's name for his steadfast love and faithfulness, for he has exalted his word above all his name. On the day David called, the Lord answered him and increased strength in his soul.
Verses 4 and 5 widen the gaze: all the kings of the earth will give thanks to the Lord, when they have heard the words of his mouth. They will sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. It is a vision that praise will reach the nations.
Verse 6 holds a paradox: the Lord is high, yet he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. Verses 7 and 8 conclude with trust: though he walks in the midst of trouble, the Lord will preserve his life, stretch out his hand against the wrath of his enemies and save him with his right hand. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for him; his steadfast love endures forever, and David asks him not to forsake the work of his hands.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
David gives thanks with his whole heart and bows toward the temple for the Lord's steadfast love and faithfulness. His gratitude is directed to God himself, for who he is and for his faithful word.
The day David called, the Lord answered him and increased strength in his soul. God not only listens but gives inner strength.
Though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, and the haughty he knows from afar. God, who is on high, draws near to those who are small and resists the proud.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose for David, and his steadfast love endures forever. The psalmist asks that he not forsake the work of his hands; trust rests on God's faithfulness, not on himself.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: With his whole heart. — Psalm 138:1
Answer: Toward the Lord's holy temple. — Psalm 138:2
Answer: He answered him and increased strength in his soul. — Psalm 138:3
Answer: All the kings of the earth. — Psalm 138:4
Answer: The lowly. — Psalm 138:6
Answer: Fulfill his purpose for him and not forsake the work of his hands. — Psalm 138:8
Psalm 138 reminds us to give thanks when God answers, which we easily forget. A small group can set aside time to name answered prayers, large or small, and give thanks. Gratitude widens faith and prepares the heart for the next prayer.
It also encourages humility and trust: the Lord regards the lowly. One does not need to be important to be seen by God. And his purpose for us does not depend on our consistency but on his faithfulness. For Christians, Paul expresses the same confidence when he says that he who began a good work in us will bring it to completion. We can pray with David: do not forsake the work of your hands.
Psalm 138 ends with the prayer that the Lord not forsake the work of his hands. Psalm 139 stays in the same realm of intimacy with God but takes it deeper: the Lord knows the psalmist completely, even before his birth.
There are several interpretations. It may refer to the deities of neighboring peoples, before whom David declares his faith in the Lord; to angels or heavenly beings; or to the rulers and judges of the earth. In every case, David publicly affirms that only the Lord deserves praise.
It is a difficult phrase that is translated in several ways. It probably means that the Lord gave his word, his promise, the highest authority, so that what he says is firmer than anything else. David acknowledges that his promises are kept.
Because they will hear what God has said and done. It is a vision that his glory will reach all nations, something the New Testament sees realized when people of every nation turn to Christ. David anticipates it out of his personal experience of God's faithfulness.