Psalms 138

David praiseth God for his goodness and truth shewed unto him, foretelling that the Kings of the Earth should praise the Lord; confessing the fruit of his trusting in God.

1. (A Psalm) of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: in the presence [Heb. Over against or before] of the Gods [i.e. of Kings and Princes, as below v.4. See Psal.82.1,6. And Psa.119.46. Others understand by the God here, the Angels of God, which also do present themselves in the assemblies of the faithful, 1 Cor.11.10.] shall I sing Psalms to thee [viz. Without fear or dauntedness.]

2. I shall bow down my self toward the Palace of thy holiness [Turning my face rewards the Ark which standeth in the Tents or Tabernacle. See 1 Chron.16.v.1. & Psa.99.5. Oth. Towards thine holy Temple] and I shall praise thy Name for thy kindness (sake) [i.e. by reason of. Oth. Over, for.] and for thy truths (sake): for thou hast made thy word great [i.e. thy promise and assurance touching Christ. This is the greatest and princiallest work, whereby thou hast manifested thy goodness. Others understand this of the promise, which God had made and performed unto David, touching the Kingdom] for thy whole names sake. [i.e. wholly and solely for thy own names sake. Oth. Above thy whole name, i.e. above and beyond all the proprieties or attributes whereby thou art named.]

3. On the day (when) I called, thou heardest me: that hast strengthened me (with) power [Which I received of thee, O Lord, Ephes.3.10, 16.] in my soul.

4. All the Kings of the Earth shall praise thee, when they shall have heard the sayings of thy mouth. [This is, a kind of prophesy touching the conversion of all Nations unto Christ, through the preaching of the holy Gospel, after the coming of the Messias, See Psalms 102:16,23. And the annot. There. But if these words Kingdom, we may understand by the Kings here Hiram the King of Tyrus, 2 Sam.5.11. Thoi, the King of Hamath, 2 Sam.8.10. and other Neighbouring Kings.]

5. And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD [i.e. of the wonder full government, works and acts of the LORD. Oth. In the ways of the LORD, viz. Walking in them with cheerfulness] for the glory of the LORD is great.

6. For the LORD is high, nevertheless doth he regard the lowly [i.e. he taketh care for him. Whereof David himself was a singular example, whom God from a shepherd raised to the royal dignity. Otherw. The low, or that which is low and despicable] and he knoweth the exalted [i.e. the proud, oth. That which is exalted] afar off. [so namely, as that in due time he will humble and punish them.]

7. When I walk in the midst of distress, he maketh me alive, [See Psa.119.25. Oth. When I shall walk, etc. Thou shalt make me alive, and so in the sequel] thou stretchest forth thy hand against the wrath of mine enemies, [viz. To tame and bridle the same, as Psa.3.8. Oth. Against the noses, or faces, namely to strike them in their faces; the Hebrew word Aph. Doth signify as well the nose, as wrath or anger] and thy right hand saves me [Oth. Thou savest me with thy right hand.]

8. The LORD shall accomplish (Or fulfil) it for me [or the LORD fulfil it for me, by way of wishing, viz. That which he hath begun i me, against mine enemies or his grace to me-wards, as Psa.57.3.] thy kindness LORD, is in eternity: do not abandon [or fore slow, neglect] the works of thy hands. [he prays God, not to forsake the good work which he had begun in him, but to fulfil and perfect it, against the day of Jesus Christ, Phil.1.6.]