Side by side
Psalm 138
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: I Give You ThanksVerses 1 to 3
"I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises" (138:1).
"Before the gods" — David praises the LORD in full view of any competing claim to power or worship.
"I 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" (138:2).
God's name and his word stand above everything.
"On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul" (138:3).
God did not just answer — he changed the person who prayed. He made David bold and strong inside.
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.
Section 2: All Kings Will Thank YouVerses 4 to 5
"All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth" (138:4).
This is bold. David is saying that one day every king will hear what God said to him.
"They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great" (138:5).
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.
Section 3: Though I Walk in TroubleVerses 6 to 8
"Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar" (138:6).
God is high — and he pays close attention to the humble. The proud he sees from a distance.
"If 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" (138:7).
"The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever— do not abandon the works of Your hands" (138:8).
God does not start something and leave it. He finishes what he begins.
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.
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