Psalm 138:1-8 NKJV
A Psalm of David.
138 I will praise You with my whole heart;
Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
2 I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O Lord,
When they hear the words of Your mouth.
5 Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
For great is the glory of the Lord.
6 Though the Lord is on high,
Yet He regards the lowly;
But the proud He knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch out Your hand
Against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
8 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me;
Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
According to Martin Luther’s interpretation in his “Summaries of the Psalms” (1531), Psalm 138 is a beautiful expression of gratitude and trust in God’s faithfulness amidst various challenges and adversities. As believers, we find deep resonance in the psalmist’s acknowledgment of God’s deliverance from enemies and his longing for the establishment of Christ’s kingdom.
The psalm begins with a declaration of wholehearted praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. We are reminded of God’s unfailing love and faithfulness, which sustain us through every trial and tribulation. Just as the psalmist rejoices in God’s steadfast love, we too can find comfort in knowing that God is always near, ready to rescue us from the grasp of our enemies and lift us from the depths of despair.
Luther highlights the psalmist’s desire for Christ’s kingdom to come, where kings and rulers would submit to His word and worship Him in truth. This longing echoes our own prayers for the advancement of God’s kingdom here on earth, where His righteousness reigns supreme and His name is exalted above all others.
Moreover, Luther emphasizes the contrast between Christ’s exalted throne and His compassionate regard for the lowly and downtrodden. In Christ, we find a sovereign ruler who not only sits enthroned in majesty but also extends His mercy to those who are broken and contrite in spirit. It is through His saving grace that sinners find redemption and the afflicted find solace.
As we meditate on Psalm 138, let us echo the psalmist’s prayer that God would continue the work He has begun in establishing His kingdom. May we trust in His unfailing promises and look forward with hope to the fulfillment of His purposes in eternity. Let us pray: O Lord our God, order the course of this world in peace that your Church may joyfully serve you in all godly quietness; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.