Psa 138:5 | TDavid | STEP | EXPOSITION Verse 5 . Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD. Here is a double wonder -- kings in God's ways, and kings singing there. Let a man once know the ways of Jehovah, and he will find therein abundant reason for song; but the difficulty is to bring the great ones of the earth into ways so little attractive to the carnal mind. Perhaps when the Lord sends us a King David to preach, we shall yet see monarchs converted and hear their voices raised in devout adoration. For great is the glory of the LORD. This glory shall overshadow all the greatness and glory of all kings: they shall be stirred by a sight of it to obey and adore. O that Jehovah's glory were revealed even now! O that the blind eyes of men could once behold it, then their hearts would be subdued to joyful reverence. David, under a sense of Jehovah's glory, exclaimed, "I will sing" ( ), and here he represents the kings as doing the same thing. EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS Verse 5 . Yea , they shall sing in the ways of the LORD. There will come a time when the praise of Jahve, which according to was obliged to be dumb in the presence of the heathen, will be sung by the kings of the heathen themselves. --Franz Delitzsch. Verse 5 . Yea , they shall sing in the ways of the LORD. Walking with God is a pleasant walk: the ways of wisdom are called "ways of pleasantness": . Is not the light pleasant : "They shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance." Walking with God is like walking among beds of spices, which send forth a fragrant perfume. This is it which brings peace, : "Walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost." While we walk with God, what sweet music doth the bird of conscience make in our breast! "They shall sing in the ways of the Lord." --Thomas Watson. HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS Verse 5 . See "Spurgeon's Sermons", No. 1615: "Singing in the Ways of the Lord." Verse 5 . This is spoken of kings, but it is true of the humblest pilgrims. The Lord hath respect unto the lowly, and will make them sing. They shall sing in the ways. They take pleasure in them. They do not go out of them to find pleasure. They sing as they proceed in service, in worship, in holiness, in suffering. They are in a case for singing. They have strength, safety, guidance, provision, comfort. They sing of the ways of the Lord. Of God's ways to them. Of their way to God. They know whence they came out. They know where they are going. It is a good road; prophets went by it, and the Lord of the prophets. Therein we have good company, good accommodation, good prospects, good daylight. They sing of the Lord of the way. His loving kindness. His truth. Answers to prayer. His condescension. His reviving us in trouble. His delivering us. His perfecting us. His everlasting mercy. They shall sing to the Lord of the way. To his honour. To the extending of that honour. As a preparation to eternally honouring him.

Psalms 138:5

EXPOSITION

Verse 5. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD. Here is a double wonder -- kings in God's ways, and kings singing there. Let a man once know the ways of Jehovah, and he will find therein abundant reason for song; but the difficulty is to bring the great ones of the earth into ways so little attractive to the carnal mind. Perhaps when the Lord sends us a King David to preach, we shall yet see monarchs converted and hear their voices raised in devout adoration.

For great is the glory of the LORD. This glory shall overshadow all the greatness and glory of all kings: they shall be stirred by a sight of it to obey and adore. O that Jehovah's glory were revealed even now! O that the blind eyes of men could once behold it, then their hearts would be subdued to joyful reverence. David, under a sense of Jehovah's glory, exclaimed, "I will sing" (Psalms 138:1), and here he represents the kings as doing the same thing.

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 5. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD. There will come a time when the praise of Jahve, which according to Psalms 137:4 was obliged to be dumb in the presence of the heathen, will be sung by the kings of the heathen themselves. --Franz Delitzsch.

Verse 5. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD. Walking with God is a pleasant walk: the ways of wisdom are called "ways of pleasantness": Proverbs 3:17. Is not the light pleasant Psalms 89:15: "They shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance." Walking with God is like walking among beds of spices, which send forth a fragrant perfume. This is it which brings peace, Acts 9:31: "Walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost." While we walk with God, what sweet music doth the bird of conscience make in our breast! "They shall sing in the ways of the Lord." --Thomas Watson.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 5. See "Spurgeon's Sermons", No. 1615: "Singing in the Ways of the Lord."

Verse 5. This is spoken of kings, but it is true of the humblest pilgrims. The Lord hath respect unto the lowly, and will make them sing.