Ps 138:1-8.
David thanks God for His benefits, and anticipating a wider extension
of God's glory by His means, assures himself of His continued presence
and faithfulness.
1. I will praise thee with my whole heart--(Compare
Ps 9:1).
before the gods--whether angels
(Ps 8:5);
or princes
(Ex 21:6;
Ps 82:6);
or idols
(Ps 97:7);
denotes a readiness to worship the true God alone, and a contempt of
all other objects of worship.
2. (Compare
Ps 5:7).
thy word above all thy name--that is, God's promise
(2Sa 7:12-16),
sustained by His mercy and truth, exceeded all other manifestations of
Himself as subject of praise.
3-5. That promise, as an answer to his prayers in distress, revived
and strengthened his faith; and, as the basis of other revelations of
the Messiah, it will be the occasion of praise by all who hear and
receive it
(Ps 68:29, 31;
Isa 4:3).
5. for great is the glory--or, "when the glory shall be great," in
God's fulfilling His purposes of redemption.
6, 7. On this general principle of God's government
(Isa 2:11; 57:15; 66:2),
he relies for God's favor in saving him, and overthrowing his enemies.
knoweth afar off--their ways and deserts
(Ps 1:6).
Psalm 138 Bible Commentary
Jamieson, Faussett, and Brown
Ps 138:1-8. David thanks God for His benefits, and anticipating a wider extension of God's glory by His means, assures himself of His continued presence and faithfulness.
1. I will praise thee with my whole heart--(Compare Ps 9:1).
before the gods--whether angels (Ps 8:5); or princes (Ex 21:6; Ps 82:6); or idols (Ps 97:7); denotes a readiness to worship the true God alone, and a contempt of all other objects of worship.
2. (Compare Ps 5:7).
thy word above all thy name--that is, God's promise (2Sa 7:12-16), sustained by His mercy and truth, exceeded all other manifestations of Himself as subject of praise.
3-5. That promise, as an answer to his prayers in distress, revived and strengthened his faith; and, as the basis of other revelations of the Messiah, it will be the occasion of praise by all who hear and receive it (Ps 68:29, 31; Isa 4:3).
5. for great is the glory--or, "when the glory shall be great," in God's fulfilling His purposes of redemption.
6, 7. On this general principle of God's government (Isa 2:11; 57:15; 66:2), he relies for God's favor in saving him, and overthrowing his enemies.
knoweth afar off--their ways and deserts (Ps 1:6).
8. God will fulfil His promise.