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Let them sing about the Lord’s deeds,[a]
for the Lord’s splendor is magnificent.[b]
Though the Lord is exalted, he looks after the lowly,
and from far away humbles[c] the proud.
Even when I must walk in the midst of danger,[d] you revive me.
You oppose my angry enemies,[e]
and your right hand delivers me.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 138:5 tn Heb “ways.”
  2. Psalm 138:5 tn Heb “great.”
  3. Psalm 138:6 tc The form of the verb is יְיֵדָע (yeyedaʿ) commonly understood to be Qal of יָדַע I (yadaʿ), although the Qal should not have two yod’s. Most likely one י (yod) should be deleted as dittography, or the second should be read as a ו (vav) and the form be understood as a Hifil.tn The Hifil of יָדַע II (yadaʿ) means “to humiliate,” causative of the Qal “be submissive, humbled, quiet” (cf. Job 21:19; Prov 5:6; Isa 45:4; Jer 14:18; Hos 9:7). DCH supposes that the Qal can mean “to humiliate” in this verse. The more common homophonous root יָדַע means “to know,” sometimes with the nuance “to care for.” Alternatively the adjective גָּבֹהַּ (gavoah) can be understood as the subject, referring to God, “the exalted one cares for [the lowly] from a distance,” but the parallel thought in the next verse favors a contrast in this verse also.
  4. Psalm 138:7 tn Or “distress.”
  5. Psalm 138:7 tn Heb “against the anger of my enemies you extend your hand.”

May they sing(A) of the ways of the Lord,
    for the glory of the Lord(B) is great.

Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;(C)
    though lofty, he sees them(D) from afar.
Though I walk(E) in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life.(F)
You stretch out your hand(G) against the anger of my foes;(H)
    with your right hand(I) you save me.(J)

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