# Overview Psalm 138 is a psalm of #David that begins with a heartfelt expression of thanksgiving to #God. David declares his intention to praise God with his whole heart, in the presence of the "gods," which could be interpreted as earthly rulers or false idols, emphasizing the supremacy of the Lord. He acknowledges God's lovingkindness and truth, praising His name for the magnification of His word above all else. David reflects on a personal experience of God's deliverance when he called upon Him, noting how God answered him and strengthened him with boldness in his soul. This psalm reflects David's deep trust in God's faithfulness and his confidence that all kings of the earth will ultimately recognize and praise God when they hear His words. The latter part of the psalm shifts to a broader reflection on God's greatness and His care for the humble. David marvels at how the Lord, though high and exalted, regards the lowly, yet knows the proud from afar. He expresses a personal assurance in God's protection, believing that even though he walks in the midst of trouble, God will preserve him and stretch out His hand against the wrath of his enemies. The psalm concludes with a declaration of faith that God will fulfill His purpose for David and a prayerful statement of trust in God's enduring mercy. David’s closing plea is for God to not forsake the works of His hands, highlighting a deep reliance on the Lord's continued presence and faithful love throughout his life. ## Theological Insights Psalm 138 is a powerful declaration of #praise and #thanksgiving to #God, emphasizing His faithfulness and #steadfastlove. This chapter, attributed to #David, highlights several theological themes central to the believer’s relationship with God. 1. **Praise and Thanksgiving**: The psalm opens with a wholehearted commitment to praise God. David's expression of praise "with my whole heart" (Psalm 138:1) signifies an undivided devotion to God, echoing the call to love God with all one's heart, soul, and might as found in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 6]]. 2. **God's Name and Word**: In verse 2, the psalmist exalts God's name and His word above all else, indicating the authority and reliability of God's promises. This reflects the biblical theme of God’s word being a source of guidance and truth, as seen in [[Psalm/Psalm 119]]. 3. **Answered Prayers**: The testimony of answered prayers in verse 3 highlights God's responsiveness to the cries of His people, reinforcing the biblical assurance found in passages like [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 33]]:3, which encourages believers to call upon God with the promise that He will answer. 4. **God's Sovereignty and Care for the Humble**: Verses 4-6 reveal that all the kings of the earth will praise God, recognizing His sovereignty. Moreover, God's regard for the humble and His distance from the proud underscore a recurring biblical principle that God exalts the lowly and brings down the proud, as illustrated in [[Luke/Luke Chapter 1]]:52. 5. **God’s Preservation and Purpose**: In verse 7, David speaks of God’s preservation in the midst of trouble, affirming God’s protection and purpose for His people. This assurance of divine protection is mirrored in the experiences of the faithful throughout scripture, such as in the life of [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 6]]. 6. **Enduring Love and Faithfulness**: The closing verse of the chapter, verse 8, underscores the completeness of God’s work and His enduring love. David’s confidence that "the Lord will fulfill his purpose for me" reflects the assurance that God’s plans for His people are not thwarted, which aligns with the promises found in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 1]]:6. Psalm 138, therefore, serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness, His attentiveness to the humble, and His sovereign purpose over the lives of His people. It encourages believers to live a life of praise, trust in God's word, and confidence in His ongoing work in their lives. ## Thematic Connections ### Thanksgiving and Praise Psalm 138 opens with a profound expression of #thanksgiving and #praise to #God, echoing themes found throughout the #Psalms, such as in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 100]], where worship and gratitude are central. This theme of giving thanks is pivotal in expressing the psalmist's recognition of God's faithful love and truth, which is a recurring emphasis within the Psalter. ### God's Faithfulness and Truth The acknowledgment of God's steadfast love and faithfulness in Psalm 138 aligns closely with the themes found in [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 36]] and [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 117]], where God's unchanging nature and reliability are celebrated. This theme underscores the importance of trusting in God's promises, as He remains true to His word. ### God's Sovereignty and Kingship The declaration that all the kings of the earth will praise God (Psalm 138:4) ties into the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over all nations, reminiscent of passages like [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 2]], where the reign of the #Messiah is prophesied as encompassing all rulers. This theme reinforces God’s ultimate authority and His governance over earthly powers. ### God's Protection and Deliverance In Psalm 138, the psalmist speaks of walking in the midst of trouble and God preserving his life (Psalm 138:7), reflecting the recurring biblical theme of divine protection found in passages like [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 23]] and [[Daniel/Daniel Chapter 6]], where God delivers His faithful ones from peril. This theme highlights God’s active role in the lives of His people, offering them refuge and salvation. ### The Humility and Exaltation of the Lowly The theme of God regarding the lowly but knowing the proud from afar (Psalm 138:6) connects with themes in [[1 Samuel/1 Samuel Chapter 2]], [[Luke/Luke Chapter 1]], and [[James/James Chapter 4]], where God exalts the humble and resists the proud. This theme emphasizes the biblical principle that God values humility and often chooses to reveal Himself to those who are meek and lowly. ### Fulfillment of God's Purpose The assurance that God will fulfill His purpose for the psalmist (Psalm 138:8) resonates with themes found in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 8]], where God’s sovereign plan is seen working for the good of those who love Him. This theme underlines the confidence believers can have in God's faithful completion of His work in their lives, as also expressed in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 1]]. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Fulfillment of Thanksgiving and Praise Psalm 138 begins with a dedication of thanksgiving and praise to #God, which resonates with future prophetic fulfillments where God's people will give thanks and praise to Him for His redemptive acts. This theme of praise finds its ultimate fulfillment in the #NewTestament, where believers are called to continuously offer praise to God, as seen in [[Hebrews/Hebrews Chapter 13|Hebrews 13:15]] and [[1 Thessalonians/1 Thessalonians Chapter 5|1 Thessalonians 5:18]]. The psalmist’s declaration of wholehearted praise prefigures the eternal worship of God by the redeemed in [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 5|Revelation 5:13]]. ### The Promise of God's Faithfulness The psalmist declares God's faithfulness and His promise to fulfill His word, a theme that is prophetically significant throughout the scripture. This notion is prophetically fulfilled in the person of [[Jesus Christ (Multiple)|Jesus Christ]], who is the Word made flesh, as noted in [[John/John Chapter 1|John 1:14]]. Jesus embodies the fulfillment of God's promises and faithfulness, as he declares the completion of God's work on the cross in [[John/John Chapter 19|John 19:30]]. ### The Universal Recognition of the Lord Psalm 138:4-5 anticipates a time when all the kings of the earth will give thanks to the Lord and sing of His ways, which aligns with prophetic visions of universal recognition and worship of God. This is seen in prophetic passages such as [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 2|Philippians 2:10-11]], where every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, fulfilling the vision of universal acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. ### God's Protection and Deliverance The psalmist's confidence in God's protection, as expressed in Psalm 138:7, prophetically looks forward to the ultimate protection and deliverance found in Christ. This is echoed in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 8|Romans 8:31-39]], where believers are assured of God's unwavering love and protection in Christ Jesus, fulfilling the psalmist's trust in God's saving power. ### The Perfection of God's Work Psalm 138:8 speaks of God perfecting that which concerns the psalmist, a prophetic anticipation of the completion of God's work in believers through Christ. This finds fulfillment in [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 1|Philippians 1:6]], where the Apostle Paul assures believers that He who began a good work in them will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ, illustrating the ongoing and future perfection of God’s work in His people. ## Verses - **Psalms 138:1** - "I give you thanks, O LORD, with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods." - Notes: The psalmist expresses wholehearted gratitude and commits to praising #God in the presence of other so-called gods, affirming the supremacy of the LORD. See [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 15]] for another expression of praise to God. - **Psalms 138:2** - "I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name." - Notes: This verse emphasizes the worship of God at His holy Temple and the recognition of His unfailing love and faithfulness. His promises are anchored in His holy name. See [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 8]] for Solomon's dedication of the Temple. - **Psalms 138:3** - "As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength." - Notes: The psalmist testifies to the immediacy of God's response to prayer, providing encouragement and strength. See [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 40]] for God's promise to renew strength. - **Psalms 138:4** - "Every king in all the earth will thank you, LORD, for all of them will hear your words." - Notes: The vision of universal recognition of God's words by earthly kings reflects the psalmist's confidence in God's sovereignty. See [[Philippians/Philippians Chapter 2]] for the acknowledgment of Jesus' lordship. - **Psalms 138:5** - "Yes, they will sing about the LORD’s ways, for the glory of the LORD is very great." - Notes: The praise of the LORD's ways and the greatness of His glory will be universally acknowledged. See [[Revelation/Revelation Chapter 15]] for the song of the Lamb. - **Psalms 138:6** - "Though the LORD is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud." - Notes: This verse highlights God's care for the humble and His opposition to the proud. See [[James/James Chapter 4]] for a New Testament perspective on humility before God. - **Psalms 138:7** - "Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me." - Notes: The psalmist describes God’s protection in times of trouble and His saving power. See [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 23]] for God's protective guidance. - **Psalms 138:8** - "The LORD will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me." - Notes: A declaration of trust in God's eternal plan and unfailing love, with a plea for His continued presence. See [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 29]] for God's plans for His people. ### Cross-References by Chapter - **The Temple** - [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 8]], [[2 Chronicles/2 Chronicles Chapter 6]] - **God’s Faithfulness** - [[Lamentations/Lamentations Chapter 3]], [[2 Timothy/2 Timothy Chapter 2]] - **God’s Protection** - [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 91]], [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 41]] - **Humility and Pride** - [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 3]], [[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 5]] - **God’s Plans** - [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 16]], [[Ephesians/Ephesians Chapter 1]]