Psalm 138
The psalmist praises God for answering prayer. · The Lord's dealing with the humble and the proud.
1A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. 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. 3In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. 4All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth. 5Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
6Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off. 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. 8The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
King James Version (1769) · public domain
1Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises. 2I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else. 3On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul. 4All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth. 5They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.
6Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar. 7If I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me from the anger of my foes; You extend Your hand, and Your right hand saves me. 8The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever— do not abandon the works of Your hands.
Berean Standard Bible · public domain
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 Bible · public domain
Psalm 138 commentary
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706), public domain.
Verses 1-5
Verses 6-8
Key verses in Psalm 138
- Psalms 138:8
The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
- Psalms 138:7
Though 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.
- Psalms 138:3
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
- Psalms 138:6
Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
- Psalms 138:2
I 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.