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Psalm 138

May the Kings Praise You

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By David.

Thanks From a Grateful Heart

I will thank you with all my heart.
Before the gods[a] I will make music for you.
I will bow down toward your holy temple.
I will give thanks to your name
    because of your mercy and because of your truth.
Yes, you made your word even greater than your name.[b]
By day I called, and you answered me.
You have made my soul strong.
All the kings of the earth will thank you, Lord,
when they have heard the message from your mouth.
Then they will sing about the ways of the Lord,
because the glory of the Lord is great.
Indeed the Lord is exalted, but he sees the lowly,
and he recognizes the proud from a distance.
If I walk surrounded by danger, you keep me alive
    in spite of the anger of my enemies.
You stretch out your hand.
You save me with your right hand.
The Lord will fulfill his purpose[c] for me.
Lord, your mercy endures forever.
Do not let go of the works[d] of your hands.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 138:1 Gods here may refer to angels, though that use of the term is rare. The point may simply be a declaration of God’s superiority to the pagan gods, who are only demons.
  2. Psalm 138:2 Literally for you have made great over all your name your saying or, with a different reading of the Hebrew, you made your word higher than the heavens
  3. Psalm 138:8 Or complete his plans
  4. Psalm 138:8 Hebrew variant 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)