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Psalm 138:2

I 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.

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.
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← Psalm 138:1Psalm 138:3 →
Notice

Bowing toward the holy temple joins gratitude with reverence: David thanks God for loving kindness and truth while naming his Name and Word as supreme.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What would you want to thank God for as you bowed your head today?

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Where have you seen evidence of the loving kindness David names here?

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What place does God's Word have in your decisions compared with the other voices you hear?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

12 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Exodus 34:6The LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, “The LORD! The LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth,The loving kindness and truth David thanks God for are the same qualities the LORD proclaims about himself in Exodus.
Matthew 5:18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, …David honors God's exalted Word; Jesus declares that even the smallest marks of the law will remain until all is accomplished.
Psalm 56:10In God, I will praise his word. In the LORD, I will praise his word.Both psalms make God's word a reason for praise, with Psalm 138 joining that praise to thanksgiving for his Name.
1 Thessalonians 5:24He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.David gives thanks for God's truth, while Paul affirms that the God who calls is faithful to act.
Isaiah 42:21It pleased the LORD, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify the law and make it honorable.God exalts his Word in the psalm, and Isaiah describes the LORD's pleasure in magnifying his law and making it honorable.
Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.Both passages honor divine speech: the psalm declares God's Word exalted, and Jesus declares that his words will never pass away.
Psalm 5:7But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will bow toward your holy temple in reverence of you.Both psalms describe bowing toward God's holy temple and name his loving kindness as part of approaching him.
Psalm 56:4In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?God's word receives praise in both psalms, with Psalm 56 connecting that praise to trust when faced with human threats.
Psalm 75:1For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Psalm by Asaph. A song. We give thanks to you, God. We give thanks, for your Name is near. Men tell …Both psalms offer thanks to God and name his Name, celebrating its nearness in Psalm 75 and its exaltation in Psalm 138.
1 Kings 8:29–30that your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there;’ to listen to the prayer …Both texts direct worship toward the temple and speak of God's Name in connection with that place.
Romans 3:4May it never be! Yes, let God be found true, but every man a liar. As it is written, “that you might be justified in your words, and might prevail when you …God's truth is central to both texts: David thanks him for it, while Paul insists God remains true despite human falsehood.
John 1:17For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.Both passages name truth: David thanks God for loving kindness and truth, while John names grace and truth through Jesus Christ.
Where this verse fits

Gratitude. praise and worship. wanting a steady prayer habit.

What the Bible says about gratitude →What the Bible says about worship →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Bow your head and pray Psalm 138:2 before breakfast

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Encouragement

Your thanks need no grand language. David names what makes God worthy of worship: his loving kindness and truth, with his Name and Word exalted above all.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 138:2. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 138 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

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).