Psalms 138

You answered me when I called

will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.a ²I will bow down toward 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.b ³When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.c

⁴May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. ⁵May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. ⁶Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.d

⁷Though 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.e ⁸The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.f

Commentary

Psalm 138 is a psalm of David that bursts with thanksgiving for God's steadfast love and faithfulness. The psalmist vows to praise God with his whole heart, even before the gods or heavenly beings, because God has answered his cry and strengthened his soul. David anticipates a futur

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Bible Dictionary· Psalms 138(4)

Bow Hand Right The Way

References· Psalms 138

a: v.1 — The supremacy of David's seed frightens kings: Matthew 2:2; Psalms 111:1, Psalms 95:3, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Psalms 86:12-13, Psalms 96:4, Psalms 119:46, Psalms 82:6, John 10:34-36, Psalms 9:1, Psalms 82:1
b: v.2 — Matthew 5:18, Psalms 56:10, Isaiah 42:21, Matthew 24:35, Psalms 56:4, Psalms 28:2, Psalms 5:7, 1 Kings 8:29-30, John 1:17, Psalms 100:4-5
c: v.3 — 1 Peter 5:10, Psalms 18:6, Psalms 34:4-6, Zechariah 10:12, Isaiah 40:29-31, Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 41:10, Psalms 27:14, Psalms 29:11
d: v.6 — Psalms 113:5-6, 1 Samuel 2:7-8, Isaiah 57:15, Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6, Isaiah 66:2, Luke 14:11, Daniel 4:37, Luke 18:14, Luke 1:48
e: v.7 — Isaiah 41:10, Psalms 23:3-4, Psalms 71:20-21, Psalms 85:6, Acts 2:33, Isaiah 5:25, Micah 7:8-10, Psalms 144:1-2, Job 13:15, Job 19:25-26
f: v.8 — Philippians 1:6, Psalms 57:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, Isaiah 26:12, Psalms 136:1, Psalms 103:17, Jeremiah 32:39-40, 1 Peter 4:19, Psalms 71:17-18, Isaiah 43:21

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