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Psalm 138:5
Yes, they will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the LORD’s glory is great!
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.
Notice
The kings’ song turns attention from the greatness of earthly rulers to YHWH’s ways, giving his glory the place of honor.
Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.
What stands out to you about kings singing of YHWH’s ways?
Write on thisWhich of YHWH’s ways described in the surrounding verses would you want to sing about?
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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
Psalm 21:5His glory is great in your salvation. You lay honor and majesty on him.Psalm 21 speaks of glory bestowed through God’s salvation; Psalm 138 praises the greatness of the LORD’s own glory.
Revelation 7:12saying, “Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”Both passages voice praise for God’s glory, with Revelation joining glory to thanksgiving and honor.
Revelation 4:11“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they …Both passages praise God’s glory; Psalm 138 names his ways, while Revelation names his creation of all things.
Psalm 27:6Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me. I will offer sacrifices of joy in his tent. I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.Both passages describe singing praise to the LORD, one anticipating the kings’ song and the other the speaker’s own song.
Malachi 1:11For from the rising of the sun even to its going down, my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure …Psalm 138 anticipates praise from all the earth’s kings; Malachi declares the greatness of the LORD’s name among the nations.
Revelation 5:12–14saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who has been killed to receive the power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and blessing!”Both passages express praise centered on glory: Psalm 138 celebrates the LORD’s greatness, and Revelation proclaims the Lamb worthy to receive glory.
Exodus 15:11Who is like you, LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?Both passages celebrate the LORD’s glory, with Exodus praising his holiness and wonders and Psalm 138 singing of his ways.
Exodus 33:18–19Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”The LORD’s glory is the shared subject: Moses asks to see it, while Psalm 138 declares its greatness.
Isaiah 6:1–3In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple.Psalm 138 declares the LORD’s great glory; Isaiah describes the Lord enthroned, high and lifted up.
John 17:1Jesus said these things, then lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;Psalm 138 praises the LORD’s great glory; Jesus asks the Father for glory so that he may glorify the Father.
Revelation 19:1After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory belong to our God;Both passages describe voices praising God’s glory: kings sing in Psalm 138, and a great multitude cries out in Revelation.
2 Chronicles 17:6His heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah.Both passages name the ways of the LORD as a source of praise or gladness for rulers.
Where this verse fits
Praise and worship. gratitude.
One step
Something small to carry out of this verse
Encouragement
Your praise has a firm subject even when words are few: YHWH’s ways. The kings’ song rests on the greatness of his glory.
Now put it in your words.
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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).