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Psalms 138

A thanksgiving David sings openly, even "before the gods" — bowing toward the temple to thank God for answering on the day he called and reviving his strength. The horizon then widens: he imagines all the kings of the earth joining the praise once they hear God's words.

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Psalms 138 (WEB)
  1. 1

    I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.

  2. 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.

  3. 3

    In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.

  4. 4

    All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth.

  5. 5

    Yes, they will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the LORD’s glory is great!

  6. 6

    For though the LORD is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but he knows the proud from afar.

  7. 7

    Though 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.

  8. 8

    The LORD will fulfill that which concerns me. Your loving kindness, LORD, endures forever. Don’t forsake the works of your own hands.

The high God who looks low

The turn in verse 6 holds the whole psalm together: though God is high, he attends to the lowly while knowing the proud only "from afar." That paradox is why David, walking "in the middle of trouble" (v.7), expects to be revived rather than abandoned, and closes pleading that God not forsake the works of his own hands.

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