Heartfelt praise for Jehovah’s Great Promise 

David pens a most unusual second verse. The Name of God speaks not only of what He is, but also of what He has done. What He does is one means by which He makes Himself known. But God magnifies His word above all other means of revelation. It is greater than any inherent knowledge; the imprint of His wisdom and power in creation; and also the works of His providence. God has set His prophetic word in such pre-eminence, that His Name stands or falls by its fulfilment. If He is a God that cannot lie, then His integrity and glory rest upon the word that He has spoken. 

The psalm prophesies of Christ and His kingdom, and the ingathering of the Gentile kings of the earth. Christ, the Word, lived by that word, and trusted in it, even in the midst of trouble and enemies.

-Pastor Jeff O’ Neil

Recommended Tune: St Asaph

Psalm 138

¹Thee will I praise with all my heart,
I will sing praise to thee
²Before the gods: And worship will
Toward thy sanctuary.

I’ll praise thy name, ev’n for thy truth,
And kindness of thy love;
For thou thy word hast magnified
All thy great name above.

³Thou didst me answer in the day
When I to thee did cry;
And thou my fainting soul with strength
Didst strengthen inwardly.

⁴All kings upon the earth that are
Shall give thee praise, O LORD,
When as they from thy mouth shall hear
Thy true and faithful word.

⁵Yea, in the righteous ways of GOD
With gladness they shall sing:
For great’s the glory of the LORD;
Who doth for ever reign.

⁶Though GOD be high, yet he respects
All those that lowly be;
Whereas the proud and lofty ones
Afar off knoweth he.

⁷Though I in midst of trouble walk,
I life from thee shall have:
‘Gainst my foes’ wrath thou’lt stretch thine hand;
Thy right hand shall me save.

⁸Surely that which concerneth me
The LORD will perfect make:
LORD, still thy mercy lasts; do not
Thine own hands’ works forsake.