Psalm 138

Psalm 138 belongs to Book Five of the Psalms. The preceding psalm, Psalm 137, is a lament over the sorrows of the Babylonian exile. From this psalm through Psalm 145, the Psalter again presents a series of psalms bearing the superscription "A Psalm of David."

Structure

• Verses 1–3: The psalmist gives thanks with his whole heart before the gods and worships toward the temple. He does so because of the Lord's lovingkindness and truth, and because the Lord answered him on the day he cried out and strengthened his soul.
• Verses 4–6: The psalmist hopes that all the kings of the earth will hear the words of the Lord's mouth, give thanks, and sing of the ways of the LORD. Though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, and he knows the proud from afar.
• Verses 7–8: The psalmist trusts that even in the midst of trouble the Lord will revive him, stretch out his hand against the wrath of his enemies, and save him with his right hand. He then asks the Lord to bring to completion what concerns him and not to forsake the works of his own hands.

Key Verses

• Psalm 138:3 "In the day when I cried thou answeredst me": The verse shows that the experience of answered prayer is the ground of thanksgiving.
• Psalm 138:6 "Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly": To "have respect unto" here means to look upon with care and regard. The verse speaks of both God's exaltation and his care for the lowly.
• Psalm 138:8 "The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me": The psalmist confesses his trust that God will carry his work through to the end.

People and Places

• David: The king of Israel named in the superscription.
• The kings of the earth: Unnamed kings of the nations, portrayed as those who will praise the LORD.
• The temple: The place toward which the psalmist worships. See also the article Temple in Jerusalem.

Points for Reflection

• Interpretations of "the gods" in verse 1 differ. Some take it to mean that the psalmist exalts the LORD alone in the presence of the gods of the nations; others understand it as referring to angels or rulers. The Septuagint renders the word as "angels."
• The Hebrew of the latter half of verse 2 is difficult, and translations render it in various ways.
• The temple had not yet been built in David's time. Accordingly, some interpreters view the temple in verse 2 as the tabernacle, while others understand the superscription as indicating that the psalm belongs to the Davidic tradition rather than identifying its author.
• "Lovingkindness" translates the Hebrew hesed. The thought of verse 6 is often read alongside Isaiah 57:15 and the Song of Mary (Luke 1:52). Verse 8 is frequently cited together with Philippians 1:6.