Psalm 138

A Thankful Heart

Davidic.

I will give You thanks with all my heart;(A)
I will sing Your praise before the heavenly beings.[a](B)
I will bow down toward Your holy temple
and give thanks to Your name
for Your constant love and truth.
You have exalted Your name
and Your promise above everything else.(C)
On the day I called, You answered me;
You increased strength within me.[b](D)

All the kings on earth will give You thanks, Lord,
when they hear what You have promised.[c](E)
They will sing of the Lord’s ways,
for the Lord’s glory is great.(F)
Though the Lord is exalted,
He takes note of the humble;
but He knows the haughty from a distance.(G)

If I walk into the thick of danger,
You will preserve my life
from the anger of my enemies.(H)
You will extend Your hand;
Your right hand will save me.(I)
The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me.(J)
Lord, Your love is eternal;
do not abandon the work of Your hands.(K)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 138:1 Or before the gods, or before judges, or before kings; Hb elohim
  2. Psalm 138:3 Hb obscure
  3. Psalm 138:4 Lit hear the words of Your mouth

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)