Psa 138:1 | KingComments | STEP | The remnant cried out to the LORD in their distress – that is, during the exile of Psalm 137 – and the LORD answered the prayer ( ). Over this they break out in jubilation ( ), for the LORD has given them strength ( ) to return to the promised land. We find here thanksgiving from the returning remnant in connection with the LORD’s lovingkindness, the covenant truth. This is a psalm “of David” ( ), the first of a group of eight psalms written by him (Psalms 138-145). He says to God: “I will give You thanks with all my heart” ( ). His heart is full of thanksgiving for God. There is no room in his heart for other gods or anything else (cf. ). He expresses his thanksgiving openly, for, he says: “I will sing praises to You before the gods.” The gods are the bearers of an authority given to them by God, such as earthly princes, but also heavenly rulers. Here we are talking about the heavenly rulers (cf. ). Starting in we find the earthly rulers. What we have here is similar to what the New Testament church does ( ). He bows down toward “Your holy temple” ( ). This could be the tabernacle, the dwelling place of God, for the temple was not yet there, but in any case it is also the heavenly dwelling place of God. This is supported by the fact that David sings praises to the LORD in the sight of the gods ( ). It applies prophetically to the temple that is yet to be built in the realm of peace. In that attitude of worship before God, he give thanks to God’s Name. God has shown His glorious Name in a special way in His “lovingkindness” and His “truth”. God’s lovingkindness is connected with the actions of the LORD on the basis of His covenant. His truth includes the assurance that He will never deviate from His covenant. From His actions in favor of David, the value of “Your word” is demonstrated. This is seen in the expression of “all Your Name”, which is all that He is. His Word makes His Name known (cf. ). Thus He made Himself known to David in truthful lovingkindness. By doing what He promised, He magnified His Word. The characteristics of the remnant are the Word and prayer: in them there is both trust in the word of God’s promise ( ) and dependence expressed in calling on the LORD’s help ( ). Both the promises of the LORD and the answer to the prayers of the remnant are based on the blood of the new covenant, the blood of Christ. The truthfulness to His promise was demonstrated when the psalmist cried out, for then God heard him ( ). Thereby not only were the suffering and distress removed, but through the answer he was also strengthened by God with power in his soul. The Lord Jesus is the incarnate Word ( ). In Him all the promises of God are yes and amen ( ). Whatever we receive from God, it is all through and in connection with the Son Who became Man.

‏ Psalms 138:1

Introduction

The remnant cried out to the LORD in their distress – that is, during the exile of Psalm 137 – and the LORD answered the prayer (Psa 138:3). Over this they break out in jubilation (Psa 138:1), for the LORD has given them strength (Psa 138:3b ; 7) to return to the promised land. We find here thanksgiving from the returning remnant in connection with the LORD’s lovingkindness, the covenant truth.

Thanksgiving For Salvation

This is a psalm “of David” (Psa 138:1a), the first of a group of eight psalms written by him (Psalms 138-145). He says to God: “I will give You thanks with all my heart” (Psa 138:1b). His heart is full of thanksgiving for God. There is no room in his heart for other gods or anything else (cf. Psa 9:2). He expresses his thanksgiving openly, for, he says: “I will sing praises to You before the gods.”

The gods are the bearers of an authority given to them by God, such as earthly princes, but also heavenly rulers. Here we are talking about the heavenly rulers (cf. Psa 95:3). Starting in Psa 138:4 we find the earthly rulers. What we have here is similar to what the New Testament church does (Eph 3:10).

He bows down toward “Your holy temple” (Psa 138:2). This could be the tabernacle, the dwelling place of God, for the temple was not yet there, but in any case it is also the heavenly dwelling place of God. This is supported by the fact that David sings praises to the LORD in the sight of the gods (Psa 138:1). It applies prophetically to the temple that is yet to be built in the realm of peace.

In that attitude of worship before God, he give thanks to God’s Name. God has shown His glorious Name in a special way in His “lovingkindness” and His “truth”. God’s lovingkindness is connected with the actions of the LORD on the basis of His covenant. His truth includes the assurance that He will never deviate from His covenant.

From His actions in favor of David, the value of “Your word” is demonstrated. This is seen in the expression of “all Your Name”, which is all that He is. His Word makes His Name known (cf. Psa 56:4 ; 10). Thus He made Himself known to David in truthful lovingkindness. By doing what He promised, He magnified His Word.

The characteristics of the remnant are the Word and prayer: in them there is both trust in the word of God’s promise (Psa 138:2) and dependence expressed in calling on the LORD’s help (Psa 138:3). Both the promises of the LORD and the answer to the prayers of the remnant are based on the blood of the new covenant, the blood of Christ.

The truthfulness to His promise was demonstrated when the psalmist cried out, for then God heard him (Psa 138:3). Thereby not only were the suffering and distress removed, but through the answer he was also strengthened by God with power in his soul.

The Lord Jesus is the incarnate Word (Jn 1:14). In Him all the promises of God are yes and amen (2Cor 1:19-20). Whatever we receive from God, it is all through and in connection with the Son Who became Man.