Psalms 138:1-8
1 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
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.
3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
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.
8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
The final personal note of this song is reached in the words, “Jehovah will perfect that which concerneth me.” It opens with consecration to the sacred duty of praise. This consecration has a threefold aspect. It is personal, and thus is expressed in terms of completeness. “With the whole heart” leaves no room for mixed motives of divided devotion. It has in view the surrounding authorities, “before the gods.”
As a testimony to the supreme God the singer will praise. It is directed “towards the holy temple,” and so is conscious of the next true order of worship as ordained. The reason of praise is next declared to be that of lovingkindness and truth as already proved. The effect of praise is to be that of the revelation of God to others, who if they come to know Him, will also praise Him.
The final movement tells of the singer's confidence as to the future. This is based on His knowledge. He sees the lowly, and haughty cannot escape Him by distance. Therefore, the deliverance of the trusting soul from all coming trouble is assured, of the enduring mercy of Jehovah, and the petition which reveals the singer's need of the continual help of God.