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A Thankful Heart
Psalm 138 is a thankful song to Yahweh. It starts with personal praise, remembers God’s answer in prayer, looks outward to kings who hear God’s words, and ends with trust in God’s enduring care.
Understanding the passage
Read these words in context
This passage is poetry and song. The speaker thanks Yahweh wholeheartedly, bows toward his holy temple, and praises his Name for loving kindness and truth. The psalm then speaks of an answered call, kings who hear God’s words, Yahweh’s care for the lowly, and help in trouble.
Psalms 138:1–8Main takeaway
This psalm teaches thankful praise for Yahweh’s character, word, and help.
Explore the poem and its images
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Wholehearted thanksThe psalm opens with a firm statement of praise: “I will give you thanks with my whole heart.”
Explanation
The psalm opens with a firm statement of praise: “I will give you thanks with my whole heart.” The singer also says, “I will sing praises to you.” This is thankful worship directed to Yahweh with the whole heart, not half-hearted words.
02God’s Name, loving kindness and truthThe writer bows toward Yahweh’s holy temple and gives thanks to God’s Name. Two reasons are named clearly: God’s “loving kindness” and God’s “truth”.
Explanation
The writer bows toward Yahweh’s holy temple and gives thanks to God’s Name. Two reasons are named clearly: God’s “loving kindness” and God’s “truth”. The verse also says Yahweh has exalted his Name and his Word above all, so praise is tied to who he is and what he has spoken.
03Answered prayer and great gloryThe song becomes personal: when the writer called, Yahweh answered and gave strength in the soul.
Explanation
The song becomes personal: when the writer called, Yahweh answered and gave strength in the soul. Then the view becomes wider. “All the kings of the earth” will give thanks because they have heard the words of Yahweh’s mouth, and they will sing of Yahweh’s ways because his glory is great.
04The high God helps and preservesYahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly, while the proud are known from afar. The singer then trusts Yahweh in trouble: he will revive, stretch out his hand against enemies’ wrath, and save.
Explanation
Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly, while the proud are known from afar. The singer then trusts Yahweh in trouble: he will revive, stretch out his hand against enemies’ wrath, and save. The psalm ends by saying Yahweh will fulfil what concerns the writer and by asking him not to forsake the work of his hands.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What reasons for thanking Yahweh are named in this psalm?
Look for the words about Yahweh’s loving kindness, truth, Word, and the answer he gave when the writer called.
02How does the psalm move from one person’s praise to a bigger picture?
Notice the change from “I will” in the opening to “all the kings of the earth” later in the song.
03What does this psalm say Yahweh does for the lowly and for the writer in trouble?
Compare the line about the lowly with the closing words about reviving, saving, and fulfilling what concerns the writer.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Psalms 138:1–8
1I will give you thanks with my whole heart. Before the gods, I will sing praises to you.
2I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.
3In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul.
4All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, Yahweh, for they have heard the words of your mouth.
5Yes, they will sing of the ways of Yahweh, for Yahweh’s glory is great!
6For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but he knows the proud from afar.
7Though I walk in the middle of trouble, you will revive me. You will stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies. Your right hand will save me.
8Yahweh will fulfill that which concerns me. Your loving kindness, Yahweh, endures forever. Don’t forsake the works of your own hands.