Psalm 138
On the day I called, You answered
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David gives wholehearted thanks before the nations: "On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul." Though God is high, he attends to the lowly, while the proud he sees only from a distance. If David walks through trouble, God extends his hand. He ends with confidence: "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever — do not abandon the works of Your hands." God finishes what he begins.
Where it is in the Bible: Psalm 138
Before You Read
Who wrote it. David (138:1).
What it is. A song of thanksgiving — David has called and God has answered. Now he tells it to the whole world, even before the "gods," and waits for all kings to join in.
What it's about. Personal gratitude that grows into a universal claim: the LORD is great, and He pays attention to the humble.
When the church sings it. On Sundays in Ordinary Time in Year C, often alongside stories of calling and mission.
Map of the Psalm
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. I Give You Thanks | 138:1-3 | On the day I called, You answered |
| 2. All Kings Will Thank You | 138:4-5 | The word of God reaches beyond one person |
| 3. Though I Walk in Trouble | 138:6-8 | God is near the humble; His love endures forever |
Section by Section
Section 1 of 3I Give You Thanks
"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.
Section 2 of 3All Kings Will Thank You
"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).
Section 3 of 3Though I Walk in Trouble
"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.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "With all my heart" (138:1) | Nothing held back — full thanksgiving. |
| "You emboldened me and strengthened my soul" (138:3) | God's answer changed more than the situation — it changed the person. |
| "He attends to the lowly" (138:6) | God is near to the humble and overlooked. |
| "The proud He knows from afar" (138:6) | Self-sufficiency pushes God away. |
| "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me" (138:8) | God finishes what he starts. |
| "Your loving devotion endures forever" (138:8) | God's commitment to his people does not run out. |
Back Then
"Before the gods" — in the ancient world, other nations had gods. David is saying: even in the presence of those supposed powers, I praise the LORD.
"Toward Your holy temple" — the temple in Jerusalem was the place of God's presence on earth. Praying toward it was how Israelites oriented their prayer.
Literal Reader Alert
Who are "the gods" in verse 1? The word in Hebrew (elohim) can mean gods, divine beings, or rulers. David is not worshiping them — he is praising the LORD in front of them.
Does God really fulfill His purpose for every person? The promise is real: what God begins, he completes. This does not mean life goes smoothly — David walked through trouble — but God sees it through.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| David | Grateful | He called and God answered (138:3) |
| David | Bold | God emboldened and strengthened his soul (138:3) |
| David | Confident | The LORD will fulfill His purpose (138:8) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
What does this psalm speak into? Tap one.
I've called out to God and felt heard
You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.
I feel small and overlooked
He attends to the lowly.
I'm walking through trouble
You extend Your hand, and Your right hand saves me.
I'm worried about whether God will finish what He started
He will fulfill His purpose for you.
You Might Have Heard
"God starts things but doesn't always finish them."
What's true: Life is full of loose ends and unanswered questions.
What the passage is mainly about: "The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever" (138:8). God's commitment to his people is not conditional. He does not abandon the work of his hands.
Where Jesus is: He is the God who came down, not from afar, to be near the lowly. He is the one who said, "It is finished" — God's purpose completed at the cross.
Good News
God will not abandon the work of His hands.
"The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever" (138:8).
He began. He will finish. You are the work of his hands.
Psalm 138 gives wholehearted thanks: on the day I called, You answered. God attends to the humble, walks with those in trouble, and fulfills His purpose. His love endures forever.
Big Idea
Psalm 138 is wholehearted thanksgiving: on the day I called, You answered and strengthened my soul. God attends to the humble, walks with those in trouble, and will fulfill His purpose — His love endures forever.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
Luther taught that God is not found among the proud and powerful — he is near to the humble, the broken, and the sinners who call out. That is where his strength is made known.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. It sings Psalm 138 on the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time in Year C, the Fourth Sunday of Epiphany in Year C, and the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time in Year C.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
The LORD will fulfill His purpose for me. O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever— do not abandon the works of Your hands.
How did that feel?
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany Year CPsalm, Psalm 138
- Lectionary 10 Year BPsalm, Psalm 138
- Lectionary 17 Year CPsalm, Psalm 138
- Lectionary 21 Year APsalm, Psalm 138
For a newsletter or sermon notes
Psalm 138, explained in plain words. David gives wholehearted thanks: God answered his prayer and made him bold. God attends to the humble, walks beside those in trouble, and will fulfill his purpose. About 9 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/psalm-138/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church