Psalms 138
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“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” — John 5:39
1I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
PSALM 138
Psa 138:1-8. David thanks God for His benefits, and anticipating a wider extension of God's glory by His means, assures himself of His continued presence and faithfulness.
1. I will praise thee with my whole heart--(Compare Psa 9:1).
before the gods--whether angels (Psa 8:5); or princes (Ex 21:6; Psa 82:6); or idols (Psa 97:7); denotes a readiness to worship the true God alone, and a contempt of all other objects of worship.
I will praise thee with my whole heart (comp. Psa_9:1; Psa_111:1). Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. Some suppose the expression, "before the gods," to mean "before the great ones of the earth," and quote Psa_119:46 as parallel. Others think that the imaginary vain gods of the heathen are intended.
2I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
2. (Compare Psa 5:7).
thy word above all thy name--that is, God's promise (2Sa 7:12-16), sustained by His mercy and truth, exceeded all other manifestations of Himself as subject of praise.
I will worship toward thy holy temple. The term "temple" here must designate the tabernacle (comp. Psa_5:8). And praise thy Name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth. "Mercy" and "truth" are God's two highest attributes (Exo_34:6). They were especially shown to Israel in God's promises and his fidelity to them. For thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name. Some would amend the text, and read אמתךָ, "thy truth," for, אמרתךָ "thy Word." But if we keep the text, and understand אמרתךָ as "thy promises," the sense will not be very different. God has magnified his promise, and his faithfulness to it, above all his other revealed attributes.
3In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
3-5. That promise, as an answer to his prayers in distress, revived and strengthened his faith; and, as the basis of other revelations of the Messiah, it will be the occasion of praise by all who hear and receive it (Psa 68:29, 31; Is 4:3).
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me. Thy answer came to my prayer almost as soon as it was out of my mouth. And strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. The promptness of thy answer gave my soul fresh strength.
4All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord. The world shall be converted to thy worship when it is seen how promptly and fully thou answerest prayer (comp. Psa_68:31, Psa_68:32; Psa_102:15). When they hear the words of thy mouth. The promises that thou makest, and thy performance of them.
5Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord. They, i.e. the kings, shall sing, no longer in their own misguided heathen ways, but in the ways of the Lord, in the mode prescribed by his Law and practiced in his temple (comp. Isa_49:22, Isa_49:23; Isa_60:3-5, etc.). For great is the glory of the Lord. (cf. Isa_60:1-3; Isa_66:18.) It is this "glory" which attracts "all nations and tongues."
6Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
6-7. On this general principle of God's government (Is 2:11; 57:15; 66:2), he relies for God's favor in saving him, and overthrowing his enemies.
knoweth afar off--their ways and deserts (Psa 1:6).
Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly. Notwithstanding all God's glory and greatness, he condescends to look upon the lowly, to consider their needs, and to supply them (comp. Isa_57:15). Hence David feels sure that he will not be overlooked (see Psa_138:7, Psa_138:8). But the proud he knoweth afar off. God keeps proud men at a distance, does not draw near to them, much less make his abode with them, but leaves them to themselves until they are ripe for punishment.
7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me (comp. Psa_23:4). David "walked in the midst of trouble" during the greater part of his life. When the persecution of Saul was over, he had trouble from foreign enemies (2 Samuel 5-12.); when these were subdued, his domestic troubles began (2 Samuel 13-19.; 1Ki_5:1-18 :53). God, however, from time to time "gave him a reviving." Thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies (comp. Psa_3:7; Psa_9:3-6; Psa_18:14-17, etc.). What God had so often done for him, David is confident that he will do again. He will break the power of his enemies, and deliver him from their machinations. And thy right hand. The symbol of strength. Shall save me; or, "deliver me" (comp. Psa_18:35; Psa_60:5; Psa_63:8; Psa_108:6, etc.).
8The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
8. God will fulfil His promise.
The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me; i.e. will complete what he has begun for me—will not leave his work unfinished (comp. Psa_57:2; Php_1:6). Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever. Does not suddenly break off and stop. Forsake not the works of thine own hands. This is probably more than a mere personal request. David sees in God's care for himself a portion of his great providential scheme for the redemption of the world.
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