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David wrote this song.

Thank God for who he is

138 I will thank you, Lord, with my whole being.
I will sing and praise you in front of the gods.[a]
I look towards your holy temple,
    and I bend down to worship you.
I thank you for who you are.
    You love your people and they can always trust you.
You are more famous than anyone,
    because you always do what you promise.
When I prayed to you, you answered me.
    You made me brave and strong.
All the kings in the world will thank you, Lord,
    when they hear the promises that you have made.
They will sing about the things that you have done,
    because they see that you are great, Lord.
Yes, the Lord is high above the earth.
    But he takes care of humble people.
He also knows what proud people are doing,
    even if they try to hide.[b]
When there is danger all round me,
    you help me to be strong.
When my enemy is angry, you fight against him.
    You save me with your strong right hand.[c]
The Lord stands with me to do what he has promised.
    Yes, Lord, your faithful love will always continue.
You have made us who we are,
    so do not leave us now!

Footnotes

  1. 138:1 ‘gods’ or ‘angels’. David may be telling the false gods that the Lord is the only true God.
  2. 138:6 This is about two groups of people: humble people and proud people. God is high above us in heaven. But he can still see people who need help. He also sees the proud people. There is nowhere for them to hide.
  3. 138:7 God's ‘strong right hand’ means his power to work.

Psalm 138

Of David.

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    before the “gods”(A) I will sing(B) your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple(C)
    and will praise your name(D)
    for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,(E)
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
    that it surpasses your fame.(F)
When I called,(G) you answered me;(H)
    you greatly emboldened(I) me.

May all the kings of the earth(J) praise you, Lord,
    when they hear what you have decreed.
May they sing(K) of the ways of the Lord,
    for the glory of the Lord(L) is great.

Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;(M)
    though lofty, he sees them(N) from afar.
Though I walk(O) in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life.(P)
You stretch out your hand(Q) against the anger of my foes;(R)
    with your right hand(S) you save me.(T)
The Lord will vindicate(U) me;
    your love, Lord, endures forever(V)
    do not abandon(W) the works of your hands.(X)