The Bible: Psalms Chapter 138: with Audio and Commentary.

Version: World English Bible.

Please use the links below to select any Book and then the Chapter.

Gene Exod Levi Numb Deut Josh Judg Ruth 1Sam 2Sam 1Kin 2Kin 1Chr 2Chr Ezra Nehe Esth Job_ Psal Prov Eccl Song Isai Jere Lame Ezek Dani Hose Joel Amos Obad Jona Mica Nahu Haba Zeph Hagg Zech Mala Matt Mark Luke John Acts Roma 1Cor 2Cor Gala Ephe Phil Colo 1The 2The 1Tim 2Tim Titu Phle Hebr Jame 1Pet 2Pet 1Joh 2Joh 3Joh Jude Reve

001 002 003 004 005 006 007 008 009 010 011 012 013 014 015 016 017 018 019 020 021 022 023 024 025 026 027 028 029 030 031 032 033 034 035 036 037 038 039 040 041 042 043 044 045 046 047 048 049 050 051 052 053 054 055 056 057 058 059 060 061 062 063 064 065 066 067 068 069 070 071 072 073 074 075 076 077 078 079 080 081 082 083 084 085 086 087 088 089 090 091 092 093 094 095 096 097 098 099 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150

Psalms Chapter 138 By David.

1 I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.

2 I will bow down towards your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.

3 In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

4 All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth.

5 Yes, they will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the LORD's glory is great!

6 For though the LORD is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but he knows the proud from afar.

7 Though I walk in the middle of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me.

8 The LORD will fulfil that which concerns me. Your loving kindness, LORD, endures forever. Don't forsake the works of your own hands.

Footnotes

Verse 1 (the gods)
The word elohim, used here, usually means "God" but can also mean "gods", "princes", or "angels".

Version: World English Bible

Audio

To Listen to this Chapter

The mp3 Audio File should start to play in a new Tab. Then return to this Tab to follow the text whilst listening.

Psalms Chapter 138 By David. Guide

The final personal note of this song is reached in the words, "Jehovah will perfect that which concerneth me." It opens with consecration to the sacred duty of praise. This consecration has a threefold aspect. It is personal, and thus is expressed in terms of completeness. "With the whole heart" leaves no room for mixed motives of divided devotion. It has in view the surrounding authorities, "before the gods."

As a testimony to the supreme God the singer will praise. It is directed "towards the holy temple," and so is conscious of the next true order of worship as ordained. The reason of praise is next declared to be that of lovingkindness and truth as already proved. The effect of praise is to be that of the revelation of God to others, who if they come to know Him, will also praise Him.

The final movement tells of the singer's confidence as to the future. This is based on His knowledge. He sees the lowly, and haughty cannot escape Him by distance. Therefore, the deliverance of the trusting soul from all coming trouble is assured, of the enduring mercy of Jehovah, and the petition which reveals the singer's need of the continual help of God.

From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.

Psalms Chapter 138 Commentary

Chapter Outline

  1. The psalmist praises God for answering prayer. -- (1-5)
  2. The Lord's dealing with the humble and the proud. -- (6-8)

Verses 1-5

When we can praise God with our whole heart, we need not be unwilling for the whole world to witness our gratitude and joy in him. Those who rely on his loving-kindness and truth through Jesus Christ, will ever find him faithful to his word. If he spared not his own Son, how shall he not with him freely give us all things? If God gives us strength in our souls, to bear the burdens, resist the temptations, and to do the duties of an afflicted state, if he strengthens us to keep hold of himself by faith, and to wait with patience for the event, we are bound to be thankful.

Verses 6-8

Though the Lord is high, yet he has respect to every lowly, humbled sinner; but the proud and unbelieving will be banished far from his blissful presence. Divine consolations have enough in them to revive us, even when we walk in the midst of troubles. And God will save his own people that they may be revived by the Holy Spirit, the Giver of life and holiness. If we give to God the glory of his mercy, we may take to ourselves the comfort. This confidence will not do away, but quicken prayer. Whatever good there is in us, it is God works in us both to will and to do. The Lord will perfect the salvation of every true believer, and he will never forsake those whom he has created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works.

From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.