Psalm 138:1-8
I Give You Thanks
1Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises.
2I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.
3On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.
4All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth.
5They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.
6Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.
7If I walk in the midst of trouble, You preserve me from the anger of my foes; You extend Your hand, and Your right hand saves me.
8The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever—do not abandon the works of Your hands.
Berean Standard Bible
David gives thanks with his whole heart before the gods and bows toward God's holy temple. He praises God's name for loving devotion and faithfulness because God has exalted His name and word above everything.
When David called, God answered and made him bold and confident. All kings will give thanks when they hear the words of the LORD, because God's glory is great and He regards the lowly while knowing the proud from afar.
Though David walks in the midst of trouble, God preserves his life and stretches out His hand against angry enemies. The LORD will fulfill His purpose, and His loving devotion endures forever. David asks God not to abandon the work of His hands.
Questions
1 How does David give thanks?
AnswerHe gives thanks with his whole heart and bows toward God's holy temple.
2 What happened when David called?
AnswerGod answered and made him bold and confident.
3 Whom does God regard?
AnswerHe regards the lowly while recognizing and resisting the proud.
4 What does David ask at the end?
AnswerHe asks God not to abandon the work of His hands.
What This Means for Us
God's regard for the lowly should shape our regard. A household that praises God should notice people who are easy for the proud to overlook.
Purpose is not a promise that trouble will disappear. It is confidence that God is still working and will not casually abandon what His hands have made.
Prayer
Faithful God, hear people walking through trouble and regard the lowly with mercy. Give courage when we call, keep pride from ruling us, and do not abandon the work of Your hands. Amen.