Psalm 138: Praise in Confidence

Of David.

[Preliminary Comments: In this first of eight following psalms attributed to David, he declares his intent to praise and worship the Lord [v.1,2] for the expressions of His love he has experienced as God turned up for him when he called to Him [v.3], and he wishes all other rulers to be able to know and do this as well [v.4,5] though they need to remember it is the humble or lowly of heart that God blesses [v.6]. David can testify that he knows God is there for him in troubles [v.7] and even though others speak badly of him [implied] the Lord will clear his name [v.8]. A psalm of confidence in the Lord.]

v.1,2 David declares his intent, to praise God

v.1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    before the ‘gods’ I will sing your praise.
v.2 I will bow down towards your holy temple
    and will praise your name

v.2b,3 He gives his reasons

for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
    that it surpasses your fame.
v.3 When I called, you answered me;
    you greatly emboldened me.

v.4,5 He desires that all rulers will similarly praise the Lord

v.4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
    when they hear what you have decreed.
v.5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for the glory of the Lord is great.

v.6 He reminds them [implied] that God blesses the lowly [humble]

v.6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
    though lofty, he sees them from afar.

v.7 He declares his trust in the Lord to save him against his enemies

v.7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
    with your right hand you save me.

v.8 He declares his trust that the Lord will clear his name

v.8 The Lord will vindicate me;
    your love, Lord, endures for ever –
    do not abandon the works of your hands.

[Additional Comments: The ability to praise the Lord comes from the practical outworking of the Lord being there for us.

After perhaps going back and meditating on individual verses, now read it meaningfully out loud straight through

1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    before the ‘gods’ I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down towards your holy temple
    and will praise your name
    for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
    that it surpasses your fame.
3 When I called, you answered me;
    you greatly emboldened me.

4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
    when they hear what you have decreed.
5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for the glory of the Lord is great.

6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
    though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
    with your right hand you save me.
8 The Lord will vindicate me;
    your love, Lord, endures for ever –
    do not abandon the works of your hands.

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: