Psalm 138

This is the first of eight psalms attributed to David. They form a special collection just before the five “hallelujah psalms” that climax the book. The psalm probably grew out of the opposition of the neighboring nations when David became king of a united Israel (2 Sam. 5; 8:1-14). It was God’s plan that David reign over Israel (v. 8), but the Jebusites, Philistines, and Moabites wanted a divided Israel with a weak leader. David knew God’s will, prayed for God’s help (v. 3), trusted God for victory (vv. 7-8), and defeated the enemy. The psalm does not mention the Lord until verse 4, but it is obvious that Jehovah is the object of David’s prayers and praise. The psalm helps us understand better what really happens when God answers prayer.