Psalms 138

King James Version

Full text for Psalms Chapter 138

1¶ [A Psalm] of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

2I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

3In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, [and] strengthenedst me [with] strength in my soul.

4All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.

5Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great [is] the glory of the LORD.

6¶ Though the LORD [be] high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

8The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Psalm 138 is a psalm of David expressing wholehearted praise to the LORD for His lovingkindness and truth, and for magnifying His word. David recounts how God answered his prayer and strengthened him. He anticipates that all kings will eventually praise the LORD, who respects the lowly but knows the proud afar off, and whose mercy endures forever.

Medium Summary

David begins by vowing to praise the LORD with his whole heart, even before other gods, and to worship toward His holy temple. He praises God for His lovingkindness and truth, noting that God has magnified His word above all His name. David testifies that God answered him in his distress, strengthening his soul. He foresees a time when all kings of the earth will praise the LORD upon hearing His words, recognizing the greatness of His glory. The psalmist acknowledges God's highness yet His regard for the humble, contrasting this with His distant knowledge of the proud. He expresses confidence that even in trouble, God will revive him, protect him from enemies, and perfect what concerns him, affirming God's everlasting mercy.

Long Summary

This Psalm, attributed to David, opens with a fervent declaration of wholehearted praise to the LORD, stating his intent to sing before the gods. He resolves to worship facing God's holy temple, offering praise for divine lovingkindness and truth, emphasizing that God has exalted His word above all His name. David then recounts a personal experience, testifying that in the day he cried out, God answered him and infused his soul with strength. A prophetic vision follows, where David anticipates that all the kings of the earth will eventually praise the LORD when they hear the words of His mouth, acknowledging the immense glory of the LORD and singing in His ways. The psalmist then reflects on God's character, noting that though the LORD is high and exalted, He nonetheless shows respect and attention to the lowly, while keeping the proud at a distance. David expresses profound trust in God's continued intervention, believing that even when walking in the midst of trouble, God will revive him. He is confident that God will stretch forth His hand against his enemies' wrath and that His right hand will save him. The psalm concludes with an assurance that the LORD will perfect all that concerns him, resting this conviction on God's mercy, which endures forever, and appealing to God not to forsake the work of His own hands.

Core Concepts

  • Wholehearted PraiseDavid pledges to praise the LORD with his entire being, worshipping toward His holy temple and acknowledging His lovingkindness and truth.
  • God's Exalted WordThe psalmist highlights that God has magnified His word above all His name, indicating the supreme importance and authority of divine revelation.
  • Divine ResponsivenessDavid testifies to God's immediate and strengthening answer to his cry in times of distress, demonstrating God's attentiveness to prayer.
  • Humility and Divine FavorThe Psalm contrasts God's respect for the lowly with His distant knowledge of the proud, illustrating His preference for humility.
  • Universal AdorationA future time is envisioned when all earthly kings will praise the LORD upon hearing His words, recognizing the greatness of His glory.
  • Divine PreservationDavid expresses confidence that God will revive him in trouble, protect him from enemies, and save him by His mighty hand.
  • Everlasting MercyThe psalm concludes with the affirmation that the LORD's mercy endures forever, providing assurance that God will complete His work concerning the psalmist.