Psalms Chapter 138 — A Song of Thanksgiving and Faith
Psalm 138 is a song of thanksgiving where the writer praises God for His faithfulness, answered prayers, and care for the lowly despite His high status.
1I will give you thanks with my whole heart.
2I will bow down toward your holy temple,
3In the day that I called, you answered me.
4All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, LORD,
5Yes, they will sing of the ways of the LORD,
6For though the LORD is high, yet he looks after the lowly;
7Though I walk in the middle of trouble, you will revive me.
8The LORD will fulfill that which concerns me.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Psalms 138:3
“In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.”
It highlights the personal connection between prayer and divine response.
Psalms 138:6
“For though the LORD is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but the proud he knows from a distance.”
This verse emphasizes God's attention to the humble despite His transcendent nature.
Psalms 138:8
“The LORD will fulfill that which concerns me. Your loving kindness, LORD, endures forever.”
This verse expresses absolute trust in God's ongoing purpose and eternal mercy.
Chapter Summary
Psalm 138 begins with a personal commitment to praise the Lord with a whole heart. The psalmist expresses gratitude for God's loving kindness and truth, noting that God answered when called upon and gave strength to the soul. The text transitions to a global perspective, stating that all the kings of the earth will give thanks when they hear the words of the Lord's mouth and sing of His ways. A central point of the psalm is the contrast between the Lord’s high position and His attention to the lowly, while the proud are known from afar. The chapter concludes with a declaration of trust: even in the midst of trouble, the Lord provides revival and protection against enemies. The writer expresses confidence that the Lord will fulfill His purpose for them and asks that God's mercy endure forever.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main theme is gratitude for God's faithfulness and His personal care for the individual. The psalmist reflects on how God answers prayer and protects those who walk through trouble.
The text states that although the Lord is high, He looks after the lowly. In contrast, He keeps a distance from those who are proud, suggesting He values humility.
The psalmist says that all the kings of the earth will give thanks to the Lord. They will sing of the ways of the Lord after hearing His words and acknowledging His glory.
Study Note
This psalm is traditionally attributed to David and is the first in a final collection of eight Davidic psalms that conclude near the end of the Psalter.
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