Psalms 138

This Psalm may best be understood as an expression of the gratitude and confidence of Israel after the Return from the Captivity. Speaking in the name of the people the Psalmist praises Jehovah before all the world for the fulfilment of His promises (Psalms 138:1-3); anticipates the impression which the manifestation of His glory will make upon heathen nations (Psalms 138:4-6); and looks forward to the completion of His purposes for His people, in spite of further troubles that may await them (Psalms 138:7-8). To the Hebrew title ‘A Psalm of David’ some MSS of the Septuagint add of Haggai and Zechariah, or of Zachariah, possibly preserving a tradition that the Psalm belonged to the period of the Restoration, or suggesting that it fitly expressed the feelings of that period. The tone and language of Psa 138:4-7 resemble Psalms 102:15 ff., and many passages in Isaiah 40-66 where the hope of the conversion of the nations is connected with the Restoration of Israel from exile.

Psalms 138:1-3

1–3. Thanksgiving for Jehovah’s manifestation of His lovingkindness and truth in the fulfilment of His promises.

Psalms 138:3

3. and strengthenedst me] R.V. thou didst encourage me, giving me a proud consciousness of strength; a bold use of the word, which elsewhere denotes pride in a bad sense.

Psalms 138:4-6

4–6. Jehovah’s faithfulness to His promises will evoke the homage of the world.

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.

Psalms 138:6

6. For though Jehovah is high, yet he seeth the lowly] Exalted as He is, Jehovah never loses sight of the lowly, and in due time raises them up (Exodus 3:7; Isaiah 57:15; Isaiah 66:2; Psalms 113:5 ff.): and the haughty he knoweth from afar; no distance hides them from His eye, and they cannot escape the punishment they deserve. Cp. Psalms 94:7 ff.; Job 22:12 ff.; and for know see note on Psalms 1:6.

Psalms 138:7-8

7, 8. Though fresh troubles may still await Israel, Jehovah will not fail to carry out His purposes for them.

Psalms 138:8

8. will perfect that which concerneth me] Will accomplish His promises and purposes for me. Cp. Psalms 57:2; Philippians 1:6 (ἐπιτελεῖν is the word used in Aquila’s version here). forsake not the works of thine own hands] The plural works and the parallelism of the first line shew that the meaning is not ‘Do not abandon Israel whom Thou hast made’; but ‘Do not fail to carry forward to completion the mighty works which Thou hast undertaken to do for Israel.’ Cp. Psalms 90:16; Psalms 92:5; Psalms 143:5.