Psalm 138

Of David.

1 I give you thanks, [O LORD], with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;

David’s declaration highlights both the private and public aspects of worship. His thanksgiving comes from within (his heart, the center of the will and emotions) and it is “before the gods” (public). It’s interesting that the address “O LORD” in the ESV and other translations is not actually present in the Hebrew. It’s curious why the translators would add it, given that it’s not there and it seems to be unnecessary given the context. Who else would be the recipient of our thanks? The other interesting translation choice here is the use of the word “god” instead of “angels.” The Hebrew word is elohim, usually translated “God”, but clearly the context here dictates “gods”, lowercase, plural. A more direct translation might be “mighty ones”, as elohim when referring to God is often translated, “The Mighty One.” In the Bible there are descriptions of YHWH holding council before the gods, the host of angelic beings who worshiped around his throne. Perhaps the most famous depiction is found in Job, where even Satan has an audience before the Almighty. Whether these were gods (suggesting a type of polytheism) or angels, the point is that YHWH is supreme, and David is unashamed to declare his praises to YHWH before any audience, no matter how powerful and important they might be. The phrase, “I sing your praise”, is literally, “I psalm” (sing with the accompaniment of a stringed instrument). Any time that we worship we are literally joining the host of angels who are continually worshiping as well. Even the greatest created beings (angels) recognize the supremacy of God above all, and we would be wise to do the same. Likewise, we should be unashamed to declare our gratitude and love for God in any and every context. Sometimes we are tempted to downplay our faith in order to fit it, but genuine worship will have none of that. As Jesus said, “if you are ashamed of me before men, I will be ashamed of you before my Father in heaven.”

2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things  your name and your word. [Or you have exalted your word above all your name]

3 On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased. [Hebrew you made me bold in my soul with strength]

David’s worship includes prostrating himself toward YHWH’s temple. There was no temple in David’s day, so he is likely referring to the tent that housed the ark of the covenant, the locus of Hebrew worship. Later generations would actually have the temple to direct their worship toward, and even after the temple fell, in Babylon Daniel still prayed facing Jerusalem. Today God dwells within us as his church, so there is no specific direction in which we are to pray. God is everywhere, and so the important thing is not the direction but the posture. Bowing the knee and placing one’s face on the ground is the ultimate posture of humility. King David does this while giving thanks for YHWH’s love (hesed) and faithfulness/truth (emet). The clause that follows is literally, “You have caused to be exalted [magnified] above all your name your word” (there’s no “and” in the Hebrew). So is God’s word exalted above his name or are both exalted equally? Since I’m not sure how or why God’s word would be exalted above his name (because the name represents the person), it’s seems more likely that they are equally exalted. God’s reputation (his name) and his word (the torah) are supreme. Then David gives his personal testimony. He called and God answered, “making me bold in my soul strength” (literal translation). God fortifies our faith when we place our trust in him. Too often we depend on our own talent and effort when our greatest strength is the LORD himself. Yet because of our pride and need for importance, we neglect calling out to God for assistance. However, when we do so, we will find that the boldness coming from our strengthened souls will increase. What bold thing do you need to be asking God for today? The asking is how God strengthens our faith. 

4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth,

5 and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.

As king, David promised his worship and devotion to YHWH, and now he promises the same from all the other kings of the earth. They too will give YHWH thanks when they hear his words. They will sing of his ways because His glory is great. There are a couple of ways to understand this. First, David may be speaking aspirationally. The kings of the earth won’t actually acknowledge YHWH because they are devoted to their own gods. It’s really inconceivable that a king of a foreign nation would abandon their god(s) because gods were regional and thought to be connected with various groups of people and identities. They should acknowledge YHWH as the greatest and wisest and most remarkable of the gods, but that seems unlikely, and historically, I’m not aware of any evidence that this happened. Second, David may be speaking militarily. This could be the language of conquest. As David and his army subdue the neighboring countries, they will experience these contests as a battle between the deities of each respective nation, with YHWH proving superior. The kings will be forced to recognize the greatness of YHWH because David will be standing on their neck. Or third, David may be speaking missionally. Perhaps he realizes that the reason God has exalted him and his people at this moment in history is so that they may share the knowledge of the glory of God. Israel was to be a light to the gentiles, a city on a hill to show the way human beings were meant to live individually and in community. I’m not sure this was ever accomplished, but it was a nice idea. Finally, David may be speaking prophetically, describing a future moment when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD (Philippians 2:11). This will definitely happen, but it’s probably not what David had in mind. I think it is probably a combination of the first two: David desires that all kings would do as he does, submit to the wisdom and rule of YHWH, and lead well as king. If that is not done willingly, then may it be done by virtue of his subjugation of them. In the Christian era, this is a prayer for the worldwide advance of the gospel into every corner of every village and palace in the world. May it be so, and may I labor to that end.

6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

David states a remarkable fact about the nature of God. Although He is the Great One whom all the kings of the earth should worship and obey, He regards the lowly and is distant from the proud. The word “regard” is literally, “sees”. YHWH sees the lowly. This reminds us of Hagar, driven by Sarah into the wilderness where she is “seen” by God, “YHWH who sees”, YHWH yireh. This is contrasted with YHWH’s relationship with the arrogant. Them he knows from afar. It’s not that he doesn’t see them or know them, but they push themselves away from Him, rejecting his presence and his wisdom. They have taken their father’s inheritance and are squandering it in the far country. God is indeed still with them, knowing them, but they reject any thought of God’s reality in their lives. They are self-made men with no need for anyone greater to be a part of their lives. The psalmist describes two extremes here, and we are quick to identify with the former. Surely we are the lowly whom God sees and not the haughty ones who keep him at arm's length. Surely we are the penitent tax collector on our faces before YHWH crying, “Lord have mercy on me a sinner” and not the Pharisee who says, “Look at all that I have done for God compared to that one.” Speaking for myself, I’m more like the Pharisee than the tax collector, proud of my position with YHWH based on my good works. I must be good, look at my blessed life. May I see the poor and reject the arrogant wisdom of this world. May I identify with the lowly and not the proud. May I be seen by God and not keep him at arm’s length. 

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life, you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.

8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

David returns to the first person voice as he concludes this prayer, confident that YHWH will preserve his life and deliver him from the wrath of his enemies. There is a hint of Psalm 23 in verse 7 where he speaks of YHWH preserving [reviving] his life while he is walking in the midst of trouble. Similar to the rod and staff of the shepherd that is used to defend the sheep from attack, God’s right hand (the strong, favored one) delivers him from his enemies’ wrath. Confident of his security, David also trusts that YHWH will complete what he began in him. This is echoed in Philippians 1:6 “He who began a good work in you will carry it on unto completion in Christ Jesus.” The Hebrew is literally, “YHWH will perfect [bring to an end] that which concerns me.” While David’s life will come to an end and God’s purpose for him will be fulfilled, YHWH’s steadfast love will continue, enduring forever. In light of God’s faithful love, David makes one final request, “Don’t forsake your handiwork.” We are God’s handiwork. The very next psalm will highlight that fact (Psalm 13:13-18). This prayer is also similar to Moses’ concluding prayer (Psalm 90:17), “establish the work of our hands,” although the accent there is on the things that we do in our life -- may we do things that will endure beyond our years. David’s request is stated in the negative, “don’t forsake” your handiwork. The LORD’s hand is stretched out both to execute justice on our enemies and to save us (vs. 7), and it is brought near to fashion us, forming and completing us according to his purpose (vs. 8).