Psalms 138

David thanks the LORD with his whole heart for answering prayer and for keeping his word. He looks ahead to the day when even the kings of the earth will praise God. The psalm ends in quiet confidence that the God who has begun his work will finish it.

Psalms 138:1

David gives thanks with undivided devotion, and he does it openly, even in a world full of rival gods. His praise is not hidden or half-hearted. He sings in front of every false claim to worship, because he knows who has really helped him.

BSA: heart (“inner being, will, and intellect”): Thanks comes from the whole person: feelings, choices and mind together. gods (“heavenly beings, idols”): The word can mean spiritual powers or the idols people worship; either way David sings before them without fear.

Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים (elohim, H430) — “gods, God, mighty ones.” The same word is used for the true God and for false gods or powers. Here David stands before them all and praises only the LORD.

See also: Psalm 95:3.

Psalms 138:2

David turns toward the temple, the place where God had set his name among his people, and bows in worship. He thanks God for his steady love and his reliability. God has put his word and his name above everything, so what he promises can be trusted.

BSA: loving devotion (“kindness and mercy”): This is love that stays loyal to a covenant, not a passing feeling. word (“Your promises and declarations”): God’s word includes his promises, and he honors them above everything else.

Hebrew: חֶסֶד (chesed, H2617) — “steadfast, loyal love.” This Hebrew word is about love that keeps its promises. It is one of the Old Testament’s favorite ways to describe God’s heart.

Psalms 138:3

David remembers a specific time of need: he called, and God answered. God did more than change his circumstances. He put courage and strength into David himself. Prayer is met by God with help that reaches the inner person.

BSA: emboldened (“strengthened, encouraged”): God gave David courage to face what he feared. soul (“living being, the essence of my being”): The strength went deep, to the whole of who David is.

See also: Psalm 18:6.

Psalms 138:4

David’s hope widens beyond Israel. He pictures the most powerful rulers on earth giving thanks when they hear what God has said. God’s word is not just for one nation. It carries authority and truth for every throne.

BSA: hear (“listen, obey”): Real hearing means more than catching the sound. It means taking God’s word seriously.

See also: Psalm 72:11; Psalm 102:15.

Psalms 138:5

The kings do not only thank God. They sing about how he acts and what he is like. His ways are worth a song because his glory is great. Learning how God works leads naturally to worship.

BSA: ways (“paths, manner of life”): The ways of God are how he deals with people and the world: his habits of mercy, justice and faithfulness. glory (“great honor, splendor”): God’s glory is the weighty splendor of who he is.

Psalms 138:6

God is high above everything, yet he looks kindly on the humble. The proud try to rise, but he keeps them at a distance. It is a great comfort that the Most High is near to people who know they are small.

BSA: attends to (“looks after, cares for”): God does more than notice the lowly. He cares for them. proud (“haughty, lifted up in pride”): The proud raise themselves up, and God does not draw near to that.

See also: Isaiah 57:15; James 4:6.

Psalms 138:7

David does not claim that trouble will never come. He expects to walk through it. But in the middle of it God keeps him alive and shields him from the anger of enemies. God’s hand reaches in, and his right hand, the hand of strength, saves.

BSA: preserve (“revive, give life to”): God does more than protect David. He renews his life in the midst of danger. right hand (“the right hand or side; the south”): The right hand stands for God’s strength and effective help.

Hebrew: תְּחַיֵּנִי (techayyeni, H2421) — “you keep me alive, you revive me.” It comes from the word for life. God does not just spare David from death. He breathes life back into him.

See also: Psalm 23:4.

Psalms 138:8

David ends in confidence. The LORD will complete what he has set out to do in David’s life. God’s love does not run out. David asks him not to let go of the people he has made, and that prayer rests on God’s own faithfulness.

BSA: fulfill (“perfect, complete”): God finishes what he begins and brings it to its proper end. works of Your hands (“deeds, actions”): David sees himself as something God has made and will not leave unfinished.

See also: Philippians 1:6; Psalm 136:1.