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Psalm 138

Psalm 138 joins thanks for answered prayer with trust that the exalted YHWH will sustain the work of his hands.

The psalmist pledges wholehearted thanks to God, bowing toward his holy temple and recalling an answered prayer that brought strength. The heading attributes the psalm to David, though no specific event is named. His praise widens to include all the earth’s kings, who will hear God’s words and sing of his glory. He then turns to God’s care for the lowly and protection amid trouble, closing with confidence and a plea against abandonment.

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1By David. I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.
2I will bow down toward 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.
3In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.
4All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth.
5Yes, they will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the LORD’s glory is great!
6For though the LORD is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but he knows the proud from afar.
7Though 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.
8The LORD will fulfill that which concerns me. Your loving kindness, LORD, endures forever. Don’t forsake the works of your own hands.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected. Tap a number for its page.
Key verses
Psalm 138:8The closing verse grounds confidence in God’s enduring loving kindness while keeping the plea for his continued care.
Psalm 138:7The psalmist expects God’s saving help while trouble and enemy anger remain part of his life.
Psalm 138:3God’s answer takes the form of inward strength, giving the psalmist a concrete reason for wholehearted thanks.
Where this chapter reaches

Isaiah shares the theme of the exalted God caring for the humble, a link with YHWH’s regard for the lowly here. Philippians shares confidence that God will complete his work, echoing the closing trust that YHWH will fulfill what concerns the psalmist.

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Notice

After reading the whole chapter

What stands out about the strength received in verse 3 alongside the trouble described in verse 7?

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How does the final plea for God’s care shape your reading of the psalm’s confidence?

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Questions people ask about Psalm 138

Who are the gods in Psalm 138:1?

The identity of the gods is uncertain. The term can refer to supposed deities, heavenly beings, or rulers, and readers differ over its sense here. The verse’s clear focus is the psalmist’s open allegiance to YHWH: he will sing God’s praise before every rival claim to honor.

What does Psalm 138:8 mean?

The psalmist trusts YHWH to fulfill what concerns him because God’s loving kindness endures forever. He also asks God to keep caring for the work of his hands. The verse holds confidence and petition together; it does not specify a timetable or promise that every personal plan will succeed.

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Psalms · 150 chapters
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What the Bible says about gratitude →What the Bible says about fear →

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).