Chapter Overview
Summary
Psalm 138 (MT) / Psalm 137 (LXX) opens the final Davidic-collection (Pss 138–145) — an 8-psalm cluster before the final Hallelujah cluster (146–150). This Davidic thanksgiving features v. 2's striking 'you have exalted above all things your name and your word' — one of the Psalter's strongest divine-word elevations — and v. 6's 'though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly.'
Notable Variants
138:2 'exalted above all things your name and your word' as Word-exaltation text; 138:6 'the LORD regards the lowly' Magnificat-theology; 138:8 'the LORD will fulfill his purpose for me' providence-over-life.
Structural Notes
MT Ps 138 = LXX Ps 137. 8 verses. Opens final Davidic collection (Pss 138–145).
Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the divine assembly I sing Your praise.
'I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise' tracks MT. BEFORE-THE-GODS (enantion angelōn in LXX — 'in the presence of angels'). The LXX's 'angels' rendering is what patristic-writers (e.g., Tertullian) cite for the Christian-worship-before-angelic-audience theology.
I bow toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your faithful love and Your truth, for You have exalted Your word above all Your name.
'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' tracks MT. EXALTED-NAME-AND-WORD. The divine-word as maximally-exalted. John 1:1–3's Logos-Christology and 1 Peter 1:24–25's 'the word of the Lord remains forever' extend.
On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul.
'On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased' tracks MT.
All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, LORD, for they have heard the words of Your mouth.
'All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth' tracks MT. KINGS-OF-THE-EARTH-GIVE-THANKS — the Davidic-missional expectation. Revelation 21:24 ('the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it') extends.
And they will sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.
'And they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD' tracks MT.
Though the LORD is exalted, He sees the lowly, and the proud He knows from a distance.
'For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar' tracks MT. REGARDS-THE-LOWLY theology. Luke 1:48 Magnificat ('he has looked on the HUMBLE estate of his servant') directly echoes. James 4:6 ('God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble') extends.
Though I walk through the thick of trouble, You keep me alive. Against the rage of my enemies You stretch out Your hand, and Your right hand saves me.
'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' tracks MT.
The LORD will complete what concerns me. LORD, Your faithful love endures forever — do not let go of the works of Your hands.
'The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands' tracks MT. FULFILL-HIS-PURPOSE theology. Philippians 1:6 ('he who began a good work in you will BRING IT TO COMPLETION at the day of Jesus Christ') echoes. 'WORK OF YOUR HANDS' — believers-as-divine-handiwork. Ephesians 2:10 ('we are his workmanship,' poiēma) develops.