The Book of Psalms

Psalm 138

Psalm CXXXVIII · Vol. II, p. 1074

1 David praiseth God for the truth of his word. 4 He prophesieth that the kings of the earth shall praise God. 7 He professeth his confidence in God.

Margin referencesNotes ↓

A psalm of David.

1 I will praise^a thee with my whole heart: before^b the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

B.C. cir. 1048.

a Ps.9.1; 104.33,34. 1 Co.14.15.

b Ps.119.46; 82.1,6; 107.32, or 1 Co.11.10. He.1.14.

2 I^c will worship toward thy holy temple, and^d praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth: for ^ethou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

c 1 Ki.8.29. Ps.28.2; 99.5,9; 11.4. Jonah 2.4. Hab.2.20.

d Is.63.7. Ps.115.1; 86.5,12-16; 89.1.

e Is.42.21. Mi.7.20. Nu.23.19. Mat.5.18.

3 In^g the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and ^hstrengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

g Ps.18.6; 34.4-6. Is.65.24.

A.M. cir. 2956. B.C. cir. 1048.

h 2 Co.12.9; 4.16. Zec.10.12. Phi.4.13. Ep.3.16.

4 Allⁱ the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.¹

i Ps.72.11; 102.15. Re.21.24. Is.52.15; 53.12; 60.3,5,11,16; 49.23. Ac.8.39.

1 The word of promise, given and fulfilled; the word of mercy, pitying and pardoning transgressors; the word of salvation, saving a lost world by the gift of an only and beloved Son. The words of Scripture, if only thoughtfully read and considered, could not fail to elicit praise from every heart.—P.

5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for ^jgreat is the glory of the LORD.

j Ex.15.11. Is.6.3; 11.9. Mal.1.11. Re.11.15; 12.10.

6 Though^k the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.²

k Is.57.15; 66.1,2. 1 Pe.5.5. Ps.51.17; 113.4,5. Pr.3.34. Lu.18.14; 14.11; 1.51-53.

2 So that the holy God will not draw near to them; nor suffer them, in their pride, to draw nigh to him.—C.

7 Though I walk in the midst of ^ltrouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

l Job 13.15; 19.25-27. Ps.23.4; 42.8; 76.10; 17.13; 20.6. Mi.7.8-10. De.32.36. Is.41.10-16; 43.1,2. Ho.1.7.

8 Theⁿ LORD will perfect that which concerneth me:³ thy^o mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: ^pforsake not the works of thine own hands.

n Is.26.12. Ps.57.2. Phi.1.6. 1 Th.5.24.

3 He will perfect it in my sacrifice for sin, He.10.14, and in the salvation of his church, Ep.5.25-27.—C.

o Ps.100.5; 103.17.

p Job 10.8. Ps.38.21; 71.9,18; 94.14. 1 Pe.1.5. Jude 1.

Notes

Ver. 1. When it is considered (1) That the speaker is one; (2) That he promises unreservedly his whole heart; and (3) That these words are a distinct parallel to Ps. 18. 49; Ro. 15. 9, then there can remain little question that the speaker is Christ. C.

Ver. 2. Magnified thy word. Thy word of promise, in its actual fulfilment, has magnified thee beyond all that thy name had led thy people to expect. See notes on Ex. 34. 5; Ps. 8. 1. C.

Reflections.—The greatest on earth need not be ashamed of the public and regular worship of God. And the more he manifests his loving-kindness and faithfulness in the fulfilment of his word to us, the more high and hearty ought to be our notes of praise. If we trust to his truth, he will display every perfection, and make every creature to work together for the glorious accomplishment of his word. If we flee to God in prayer, he will not leave us destitute. And if he, by our afflictions, strengthen us inwardly in our souls, we are great gainers. The cheerful behaviour of saints in the ways of God engages their neighbours to join with them in it. And the more humble men are, the more God regards and exalts them. And nothing is more detestable to him than indulged pride. Whatever trouble God casts his people into, he will protect and preserve them in it. And the good works of grace or salvation which he begins, he will perfect at last. He will never leave nor forsake his own. Let us then trust in him at all times, and pour out our hearts before him.