Psalms 138:5
Psalms 138:5 in Multiple Translations
They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
Yea, they shall sing of the ways of Jehovah; For great is the glory of Jehovah.
They will make songs about the ways of the Lord; for great is the glory of the Lord.
They will sing about what the Lord has done and about the great glory of the Lord.
And they shall sing of the wayes of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord is great.
And they sing in the ways of Jehovah, For great [is] the honour of Jehovah.
Yes, they will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the LORD’s glory is great!
Yes, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
Behold, O Lord, thou hast known all things, the last and those of old: thou hast formed me, and hast laid thy hand upon me.
They will sing about what you have done; they will sing and say that you are very great.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 138:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 138:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ֭/יָשִׁירוּ
בְּ/דַרְכֵ֣י
יְהוָ֑ה
כִּ֥י
גָ֝ד֗וֹל
כְּב֣וֹד
יְהוָֽה
וְ֭/יָשִׁירוּ
shîyr
H7891
to sing
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
בְּ/דַרְכֵ֣י
derek
H1870
way
Prep | N-cp
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
גָ֝ד֗וֹל
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Adj
כְּב֣וֹד
kâbôwd
H3519
glory
N-cs
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 138:5
וְ֭/יָשִׁירוּ
shîyr
H7891
"to sing"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to sing, and it is used in the Bible to describe the act of singing, like when the Israelites sang after crossing the Red Sea in Exodus 15. It can also refer to a singer or songstress. The Bible often mentions singing as a way to praise God.
Definition: 1) to sing 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sing 1a2) singer, songstresses (participle) 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to sing 1b2) singer, songstress (participle) 1c) (Hophal) to be sung
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: behold (by mistake for H7789 (שׁוּר)), sing(-er, -ing man, -ing woman). See also: Exodus 15:1; Nehemiah 12:45; Psalms 7:1.
בְּ/דַרְכֵ֣י
derek
H1870
"way"
Prep | N-cp
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
גָ֝ד֗וֹל
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
כְּב֣וֹד
kâbôwd
H3519
"glory"
N-cs
Glory refers to great honor or splendor, often used to describe God's majesty, as in Psalm 138:5 where David praises God's glorious name. It can also refer to wealth or abundance, like in Genesis 31:1 where Jacob's wealth is described.
Definition: 1) glory, honour, glorious, abundance 1a) abundance, riches 1b) honour, splendour, glory 1c) honour, dignity 1d) honour, reputation 1e) honour, reverence, glory 1f) glory
Usage: Occurs in 189 OT verses. KJV: glorious(-ly), glory, honour(-able). See also: Genesis 31:1; Psalms 113:4; Psalms 3:4.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — Psalms 138:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 138:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 138:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 138:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 138:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 138:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 138:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 138:5
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 138:5
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 138:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 138:5
- Sermons on Psalms 138:5
Context — A Thankful Heart
3On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.
4All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth.
5They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.
6Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar. 7If I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me from the anger of my foes; You extend Your hand, and Your right hand saves me.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 21:5 | Great is his glory in Your salvation; You bestow on him splendor and majesty. |
| 2 | Revelation 4:11 | “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and came to be.” |
| 3 | Revelation 7:12 | saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” |
| 4 | Malachi 1:11 | For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts. |
| 5 | Revelation 5:12–14 | In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped. |
| 6 | Isaiah 6:1–3 | In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” |
| 7 | Exodus 15:11 | Who among the gods is like You, O LORD? Who is like You—majestic in holiness, revered with praises, performing wonders? |
| 8 | Revelation 19:1 | After this I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude in heaven, shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God! |
| 9 | Exodus 33:18–19 | Then Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.” “I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” |
| 10 | 2 Corinthians 4:6 | For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. |
Psalms 138:5 Summary
Psalms 138:5 tells us that people will sing about the amazing things the Lord has done, because His glory is incredibly great. This means that God's actions and character are so wonderful and powerful that they inspire praise and worship from all people. As we reflect on the ways of the Lord, we can join in this singing and praise, just like the psalmist did, and share His greatness with others (Psalms 96:3, Isaiah 40:9). By doing so, we can bring joy and glory to the Lord, and inspire others to do the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to sing of the ways of the Lord?
To sing of the ways of the Lord means to proclaim and praise His actions, character, and plans, as seen in Psalms 138:5, and to declare His greatness to all, as encouraged in Psalms 96:3 and Isaiah 40:9.
Why is the glory of the Lord considered great?
The glory of the Lord is considered great because of His mighty works, His holiness, and His love for His people, as expressed in Psalms 138:5 and supported by verses like Psalms 113:4-5 and Isaiah 6:3.
How can we apply this verse to our daily lives?
We can apply this verse by sharing the ways of the Lord with others through our words and actions, and by giving thanks and praise to Him for His greatness, as seen in Psalms 138:5 and encouraged in Colossians 3:17 and Hebrews 13:15.
What is the significance of the phrase 'they will sing' in this verse?
The phrase 'they will sing' indicates a future time when all people will acknowledge and worship the Lord, as prophesied in verses like Psalms 138:5, Revelation 7:9-10, and Isaiah 2:2-3.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that the Lord has worked in my life that I can sing about and share with others?
- How can I use my voice and actions to proclaim the greatness of the Lord to those around me?
- What are some things that I can do to cultivate a heart of praise and worship for the Lord, like the kind described in Psalms 138:5?
- In what ways can I demonstrate the greatness of the Lord's glory to a world that often does not recognize it?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 138:5
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord,.... Which are all mercy and truth; ways of pleasantness, and paths of peace: so the eunuch went on his way, and in the ways of the Lord rejoicing, Acts
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 138:5
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 138:5
In the ways of the Lord; or, of, or for, or because of the ways of the Lord, i.e. his wonderful counsel and gracious providences towards themselves and others. Great is the glory; or, great shall be the glory. At that time the worship and glory of God shall not be confined to one small land, as now it is, but shall be extended to all the parts of the world.
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 138:5
Psalms 138:5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great [is] the glory of the LORD.Ver. 5. .Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord] As having tasted the excellence of the comforts of godliness (far surpassing those of the crown and sceptre), and felt the power of God’ s word subduing them to the obedience of faith, whereby they come to rule with God, to be faithful with his saints, and to sing their songs.
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 138:5
(5) In the ways.—Rather, of the ways, this preposition being so used frequently after verbs of speaking praising (comp. Psalms 20:7; Psalms 44:8; Psalms 87:3; Psalms 105:2), though there is no parallel instance of such a use with this particular verb sing.For ways used of God’s mighty works in creation see Job 26:14; Job 40:19; of His action in history, Psalms 18:30; Deuteronomy 32:4. It seems against the parallelism to understand literally that the heathen kings would come to walk in God’s ways—i.e., in righteousness, and so praise Him, as in Micah 4:2. The meaning is that heathen monarchs will be compelled to acknowledge the glory of Jehovah.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 138:5
Verse 5. They shall sing in the ways of the Lord] They shall admire thy conduct, and the wondrous workings of thy providence, if they should not even unite with thy people.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 138:5
5. they shall sing of the ways of Jehovah] They will celebrate His providential methods of dealing with His people. For ways cp. Psalms 103:7. the glory of Jehovah] The revelation of His power and majesty in the deliverance of Israel. Cp. Isaiah 40:5; Isaiah 60:1.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 138:5
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord - In the ways which God has appointed. They shall join with all that love him - with the humblest of the people - in acknowledging God.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 138:5
4, 5. The kings of the earth shall praise thee—The words give the moral tendency and intent of this wonderful display of divine mercy, and, as a general thing, its ultimate effect—namely, to cause
Sermons on Psalms 138:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Give to Jesus Glory by Earle Maxwell | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a song of testimony in our lives. He shares a personal experience of traveling in the Philippines and witnessing the |
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Exposition on Psalm 139 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches about the unity of Christ with believers, emphasizing how Jesus speaks through prophecy and the Psalms, uniting His divinity with our humanity. He highlights |
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(People God Uses) 02 the Need for Faith by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of having the right perspective in our faith. He uses the example of the disciples' inability to cast out an evil spirit from |
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Worship (Part 3 of 3) by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of recognizing the eternal consequences of our actions and the need to love and worship God wholeheartedly. He shares a perso |
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Evan Roberts Preaching in 1905 by Evan Roberts | Evan Roberts reflects on the glorious deeds of God, emphasizing that no amount of time could fully express His greatness. He challenges the congregation to consider what they offer |
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The Greatness of God by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on a mother who takes her young child to the beach to escape the monotony of housework. As the mother reads, she occasionally looks up to check |
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Moody 100th Anniversary 1986 the Wonder of Worship by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of wonder and celebration in worship. He highlights how we have lost our sense of wonder and take things for granted, includi |