Psalm 138
Psalm 138, God’s Promise to Honor His Word and to Complete His Work
Scripture Text
Psalm 138:1, “I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.”
Psalm 138:2, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”
Psalm 138:3, “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.”
Psalm 138:4, “All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.”
Psalm 138:5, “Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.”
Psalm 138:6, “Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.”
Psalm 138:7, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.”
Psalm 138:8, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”
Introduction
Psalm 138 is titled A Psalm of David. It is fittingly placed after Psalm 137. Psalm 137 described the sorrow of the exiles in Babylon, where the people of God could not sing the LORD’s song before mocking captors. Psalm 138 moves in the opposite direction. It is not a song of silence before revilers, but a bold confession of praise before the nations.
There is a time when silence is wise, especially when holy things are being mocked by those who despise God. There is also a time when open confession is required, lest silence become cowardice. Psalm 137 shows the grief of God’s people when the songs of Zion were demanded for pagan amusement. Psalm 138 shows David declaring that he will praise the LORD with his whole heart, even before the gods, rulers, or powers of this world.
Psalm 138 combines boldness and humility. David is bold in confessing the LORD before others. He is humble in bowing toward God’s holy temple. He is confident in God’s word. He is grateful for God’s past answers. He expects future praise from the kings of the earth. He knows God regards the lowly and keeps the proud at a distance. He walks in trouble, but he trusts that the LORD will revive him, save him, and complete the work He began.
The psalm is a strong declaration that God honors His word and finishes His work. David praises God for lovingkindness and truth, for answered prayer, for inward strength, for future worldwide praise, and for the certainty that the LORD will perfect what concerns His servant.
A. Declaration of Praise for the Past
1. Psalm 138:1 and Psalm 138:2a, The Declaration of Praise
Psalm 138:1, “I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.”
David begins with personal resolve, “I will praise thee with my whole heart.” This is not half hearted worship. It is not formal religious language without inward devotion. David will praise the LORD with the whole heart, meaning with undivided affection, sincere gratitude, serious attention, and complete devotion.
The heart in Scripture refers to the inner man, including thought, desire, will, affection, and motive. To praise God with the whole heart means that worship is not merely external. The mouth may sing, but the heart must be engaged. The body may bow, but the soul must bow first.
Deuteronomy 6:4, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:”
Deuteronomy 6:5, “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
Whole hearted praise flows from whole hearted love. God is not honored by divided devotion. He is worthy of the entire heart.
David says, “before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.” The term translated “gods” can be understood in more than one way. It may refer to the false gods of the nations, meaning David openly confesses Yahweh’s superiority over every idol. It may refer to angelic beings. It may also refer to rulers, judges, or kings, especially since verse 4 speaks of all the kings of the earth praising the LORD.
In any case, the point is clear. David will not hide his praise. Whether before idols, spiritual beings, judges, rulers, or kings, David will sing praise to the LORD. His worship is public, courageous, and unashamed.
Psalm 96:4, “For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.”
Psalm 96:5, “For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens.”
The LORD alone is worthy of praise. False gods are idols. The LORD made the heavens. David’s praise is therefore a witness against idolatry and a confession of the true God.
Psalm 138:2, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”
David continues, “I will worship toward thy holy temple.” If David wrote this before Solomon’s temple was built, the phrase may refer to the tabernacle or the sanctuary associated with the ark of God’s presence. If used prophetically or in the later temple setting, it speaks of worship directed toward the appointed place of God’s presence and sacrifice.
The important point is that David worships according to God’s appointed order. He does not invent his own worship. He turns toward the place God has chosen. True worship must be reverent, obedient, and shaped by divine revelation.
Psalm 5:7, “But as for me, I will come into thy house in multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.”
Worship is by mercy and in fear. David approaches God because of God’s mercy, and he does so with reverence.
For the Christian, worship is directed through Jesus Christ, the true meeting place between God and man. Christ is greater than the temple.
John 2:19, “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
John 2:20, “Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?”
John 2:21, “But he spake of the temple of his body.”
The Old Testament temple pointed forward to Christ, in whom God’s presence, sacrifice, priesthood, and access are fulfilled.
David says he will “praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth.” These two words are central. God’s lovingkindness is His covenant mercy, His steadfast love, His loyal grace toward His people. God’s truth is His faithfulness, reliability, firmness, and revealed word. David praises God because He is merciful and true.
Exodus 34:6, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,”
Exodus 34:7, “Keeping mercy thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by means clear guilty; visiting iniquity of fathers upon children, and upon children’s children, unto third and to fourth generation.”
God’s lovingkindness and truth are not abstract ideas. They are revealed in His covenant name, His dealings with His people, and ultimately in Jesus Christ.
John 1:14, “And Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of only begotten of Father, full of grace and truth.”
Christ is full of grace and truth. He is the perfect revelation of God’s lovingkindness and truth.
2. Psalm 138:2b and Psalm 138:3, Reasons for Praise
Psalm 138:2, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”
David gives a remarkable reason for praise, “for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” This is one of the strongest statements in Scripture concerning the honor God gives to His own word. God’s name represents His character, reputation, authority, and revealed identity. Yet David says God has magnified His word above all His name.
This does not mean God’s word is separate from God or higher than God in some improper sense. It means God has bound His honor to the reliability of what He has spoken. God’s reputation is displayed in His faithfulness to His word. If God speaks, He will do it. If God promises, He will fulfill it. If God reveals truth, it stands.
Numbers 23:19, “God is not man, that he should lie; neither son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?”
God’s word is certain because God Himself is true. He cannot lie, deceive, fail, or forget.
Psalm 119:89, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”
Psalm 119:160, “Thy word is true from beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”
God’s word is settled, true, and enduring. David praises God because the LORD has magnified His word.
This has direct importance for doctrine, preaching, teaching, and Christian confidence. The believer does not stand on religious imagination, tradition alone, personal feeling, or cultural opinion. He stands on the written word of God. If God magnifies His word, His people must not minimize it.
2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and profitable doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
2 Timothy 3:17, “That man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
Scripture is God breathed and sufficient to equip the man of God. Psalm 138:2 supports a high view of Scripture because it reveals God’s own high regard for His word.
Psalm 138:3, “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.”
David now moves from God’s character and word to his personal experience. He says, “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me.” David had cried to the LORD in distress, and God answered. His praise is not theoretical. It is grounded in the reality of answered prayer.
David does not say that God always answered in the exact way he expected. He says God answered and strengthened him. Sometimes God removes the burden. Sometimes He gives strength to bear it. Both are mercy.
The verse continues, “and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.” The answer David received was inward fortification. God made him bold, steady, and strong within. This is often one of God’s greatest gifts in trouble. The outward situation may remain difficult, but the soul is strengthened.
Isaiah 40:29, “He giveth power to faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”
Isaiah 40:30, “Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall utterly fall:”
Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon LORD shall renew strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and walk, and not faint.”
God strengthens His people. He does not always immediately change the path, but He gives strength to walk it.
Paul experienced this same kind of inward strengthening.
2 Corinthians 12:8, “For this thing I besought Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in infirmities, that power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:10, “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am strong.”
David cried, and God strengthened him in his soul. Paul pleaded, and Christ gave sufficient grace. This is the pattern of God’s mercy toward His servants.
There is a proper order in David’s praise. He first praises God for who He is, lovingkindness and truth. Then he praises God for His revelation, the word magnified above His name. Then he praises God for what He has done personally, answering his cry and strengthening his soul. True worship begins with God Himself, then moves to His works.
B. Declaration of Confidence for the Future
1. Psalm 138:4 through Psalm 138:6, Praise from the Kings of the Earth
Psalm 138:4, “All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.”
David now looks beyond his own praise to the future praise of the nations. “All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD.” David was king over Israel, but he knew the LORD’s glory was not limited to Israel. The day would come when kings of the earth would hear the words of God’s mouth and praise Him.
This is missionary in scope. The kings praise when they hear the words of God’s mouth. The word must be proclaimed. God’s people must declare His truth. The nations do not come to praise God through ignorance. They must hear.
Psalm 22:27, “All ends of world shall remember and turn unto LORD: and all kindreds of nations shall worship before thee.”
Psalm 22:28, “For kingdom is LORD’S: and he governor among nations.”
God’s purpose reaches the nations. The kings of the earth will not forever remain ignorant, rebellious, or silent. The LORD will be praised among them.
This is ultimately fulfilled under the reign of Christ. The nations and their rulers will bow before the Son.
Psalm 2:10, “Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of earth.”
Psalm 2:11, “Serve LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”
Psalm 2:12, “Kiss Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from way, when his wrath is kindled but little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”
The kings are commanded to submit to the Son. Psalm 138 anticipates the day when kings will praise the LORD after hearing His word.
Psalm 138:5, “Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.”
The kings will not merely acknowledge God with formal words. They will sing. Their praise will be joyful and public. They will sing “in the ways of the LORD,” meaning they will praise Him because they understand His works, His paths, His judgments, His salvation, and His reign.
The reason is clear, “for great is the glory of the LORD.” God’s glory is not small, local, tribal, or temporary. His glory is great. It demands praise from Israel, from David, from the lowly, and even from kings.
Habakkuk 2:14, “For earth shall filled with knowledge of glory of LORD, as waters cover sea.”
The whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of His glory. Psalm 138 stands in that same expectation.
Psalm 138:6, “Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.”
David now reflects on the astonishing character of God. “Though the LORD be high,” He is exalted above all creation. He is high in holiness, authority, wisdom, glory, and majesty. Yet He “hath respect unto the lowly.”
This is one of the great comforts of Scripture. God is not like earthly rulers who often notice only the powerful, wealthy, famous, and influential. The LORD is infinitely high, yet He regards the lowly. He sees the humble. He draws near to those who know their need.
Isaiah 57:15, “For thus saith high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in high and holy place, with him also that is of contrite and humble spirit, to revive spirit of humble, and to revive heart of contrite ones.”
The high and holy God dwells with the contrite and humble. His greatness does not make Him distant from the lowly. His greatness makes His mercy more wonderful.
David knew this personally. He was a shepherd boy when God chose him. He was lowly in the eyes of men, but God saw him.
1 Samuel 16:11, “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet youngest, and, behold, he keepeth sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.”
1 Samuel 16:12, “And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.”
The LORD regarded the lowly shepherd and made him king. David’s theology was personal. He knew that the LORD looks upon the humble.
The verse also says, “but the proud he knoweth afar off.” God knows all things, including the proud. But He knows them from afar in the sense that He does not draw near to them in favor. Pride creates distance from God. The proud may think they are near because of status, knowledge, religion, or power, but God keeps them at a distance.
Proverbs 3:34, “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”
James 4:6, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth proud, but giveth grace unto humble.”
1 Peter 5:5, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth proud, and giveth grace to humble.”
This principle runs throughout Scripture. God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. David praises God because the LORD’s greatness is joined with humility toward the lowly and opposition toward the proud.
2. Psalm 138:7 and Psalm 138:8, David’s Firm Confidence for the Future
Psalm 138:7, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.”
David now applies the truth of God’s greatness and kindness to his own future. “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me.” He does not say he will avoid all trouble. He expects trouble. He may even walk in the midst of it. Yet he is confident that God will revive him.
This is mature faith. David does not pretend that obedience removes conflict. He does not claim that God’s servants will have easy lives. He says that even in trouble, the LORD will give life, strength, restoration, and preservation.
Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Psalm 138:7 sounds like Psalm 23. The believer may walk through danger, but God is with him. The presence of trouble does not mean the absence of God.
David says, “thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against wrath of mine enemies.” God will act against the enemies who rage against His servant. David had many enemies, Saul, foreign armies, traitors, rebels, and even his own son Absalom. Yet he trusted God’s hand.
The hand of God represents His power, action, and intervention. David knows that his enemies are not stronger than the LORD.
Psalm 18:16, “He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out many waters.”
Psalm 18:17, “He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.”
Psalm 18:18, “They prevented me in day of my calamity: but LORD was my stay.”
David knew what it meant to have enemies too strong for him. He also knew what it meant for the LORD to deliver him.
The verse ends, “and thy right hand shall save me.” The right hand represents skill, strength, and favor. God does not save weakly. His right hand is mighty to save.
Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I with thee: be not dismayed; for I thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with right hand of my righteousness.”
The same God who upholds His people with His right hand will save David from his enemies.
Psalm 138:8, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”
This is the great declaration of confidence at the end of the psalm. “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me.” David trusts that God will complete His purpose for him. God began the work. God made the promises. God shaped the calling. God will finish what concerns His servant.
The word perfect means to complete, finish, bring to fulfillment, or accomplish fully. David’s confidence is not in his own determination, intelligence, power, or ability to control circumstances. His confidence is in the LORD.
This applies specifically to David’s life and calling, including the promises God made to him in the Davidic covenant.
2 Samuel 7:12, “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with fathers, I will set up seed after thee, which shall proceed out of bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.”
2 Samuel 7:13, “He shall build house for my name, and I will stablish throne of his kingdom for ever.”
2 Samuel 7:16, “And thine house and thy kingdom shall established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.”
David could trust that God would perfect what concerned him because God had spoken. The promise would ultimately be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of David, whose kingdom will have no end.
Luke 1:32, “He shall be great, and shall be called Son of Highest: and Lord God shall give unto him throne of his father David:”
Luke 1:33, “And he shall reign over house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
The principle also applies to every believer. God completes the work He begins in His people.
Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun good work in you will perform it until day of Jesus Christ:”
The believer’s assurance rests on God’s faithfulness. The same God who begins the work performs it until the day of Jesus Christ.
David then grounds this confidence in God’s mercy, “thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever.” This echoes the great refrain of Psalm 136. God will perfect what concerns His servant because His mercy does not expire. His lovingkindness does not fail. His covenant faithfulness does not run out.
David ends with a prayer, “forsake not the works of thine own hands.” This is not unbelief. It is faith praying according to God’s character. David knows he is the work of God’s hands by creation, calling, preservation, and covenant purpose. Therefore, he asks God not to abandon what He Himself has made and begun.
Psalm 100:3, “Know ye that LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and sheep of his pasture.”
God’s people belong to Him. He made them. He redeemed them. He shepherds them. David’s prayer rests on that truth.
For the Christian, this prayer is strengthened by the cross. The believer is not only God’s work by creation. He is God’s purchased possession by redemption.
Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that should walk in them.”
The believer is God’s workmanship in Christ. Therefore, God will not abandon His own work.
Doctrinal and Practical Summary
Psalm 138 teaches that praise should be whole hearted. David does not offer divided devotion. He praises the LORD with his whole heart.
The psalm teaches that God should be confessed openly. David will sing praise before the gods, rulers, or powers. There is a time for silence before mockers, but there is also a time for brave confession.
Psalm 138 teaches that true worship is grounded in God’s lovingkindness and truth. David praises God’s name because God is merciful, faithful, and true.
The psalm gives one of Scripture’s strongest statements about the authority and honor of God’s word. The LORD has magnified His word above all His name. God’s people must therefore hold Scripture in the highest reverence.
Psalm 138 teaches that God answers prayer and strengthens the soul. Sometimes He removes the burden, and sometimes He gives inward strength to bear it.
The psalm also looks forward to the praise of the nations. All the kings of the earth shall praise the LORD when they hear the words of His mouth. This points to the missionary purpose of declaring God’s word and ultimately to the reign of Christ.
Psalm 138 teaches that the high and exalted LORD regards the lowly, but keeps the proud afar off. Humility draws near to grace. Pride brings resistance from God.
Finally, Psalm 138 teaches confidence in God’s completing work. David says, “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me.” This confidence rests not in man’s strength, but in God’s enduring mercy and faithfulness to the works of His own hands.
