Read Psalm 138
Questions from the Scripture text: Whose psalm is this (superscript)? What will he do to the Lord (Psalm 138:1a)? With how much of himself? Before whom, will he do what (verse 1b)? What will he do (Psalm 138:2a)? Toward where? And do what (verse 2b)? For what attributes of His (verse 2c)? What has He magnified above what (verse 2d)? To what day does Psalm 138:3a refer? What did the Lord do, when David cried out? What form dd that answer take (verse 3b)? Who will do what, in Psalm 138:4a? In response to what (verse 4b)? Of what will they sing (Psalm 138:5a)? Why? Where is YHWH (Psalm 138:6a)? Whom does He regard (verse 6b)? Whom does He keep at a distance (verse 6c)? What may happen to the lowly who cries to Him (Psalm 138:7a)? What will the Lord do to him (Psalm 138:7a, d)? And what will the Lord to whom else (verse 7b–c)? What is the Lord sure, ultimately, to do (Psalm 138:8a)? In accordance with what attribute of His (verse 8b)? With what request does the psalm close (verse 8c)?
For what is the Lord worthy of praise? Psalm 138 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eight verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the Lord is great in glory, and the great display of that glory is especially in His grace.
The Lord is great in glory. The word translated “gods” (Psalm 138:1b) can sometimes mean supremely great ones. Rather than this communicate that there are multiple gods, the fact that YHWH is infinitely above any of these great ones is further demonstration that He alone is the one, true God. This is supported by David’s statement in Psalm 138:2a. Remember, the physical temple hasn’t been built yet. David is identifying YHWH’s holiness as His true temple (cf. 1 Kings 8:27).
The Lord glorifies Himself especially by His Word. In showing Moses His glory (cf. Exodus 33:18–34:8), YHWH especially glorified Himself as “abounding in goodness and truth” (cf. Exodus 34:6)—the same words in the original as “lovingkindness” and “truth” in Psalm 138:2c. God’s “favorite” way of displaying His glory is by His Word. When He shows His glory, it is by proclaiming His Name (cf. Exodus 34:6).
This is not only vocally as in Exodus 34; and written, as in His showing His glory by use of Scripture and the plain speaking of the truth (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:2–6)—but most of all in the Word, made flesh. When John refers to this as a display of His glory, he emphasizes the same attributes, quoting from the Greek translation of Exodus 34:6 in John 1:14. The Lord Jesus, Himself, is God’s great display of His own glory.
The Lord is especially glorified in His grace. Considering that proclamation in Exodus 34:6, before it climaxes at “abounding in goodness and truth,” YHWH’s declaration of His own Name begins with “merciful, gracious, longsuffering.” The Kings of earth respond to the greatness of YHWH’s glory in His Word (Psalm 138:4-5), but it is especially the Lord’s regard for him in his lowliness (Psalm 138:3, Psalm 138:6-7) that is David’s focus in this Psalm. His lowliness and trouble were an occasion for the greatness of YHWH’s mercy to be displayed.
If you know yourself to be the “work of His hands” (Psalm 138:8c), and that His covenant love (NKJ, “mercy,” verse 8b) endures forever, then you may be confident that YHWH will perfect (complete) what concerns us (verse 8a). You know that His beginning the work came from electing and redeeming love, so you may be confident that His completing the work will come from the same electing and redeeming love (cf. Philippians 1:6).
God displays the riches of His glory especially in His mercy (cf. Romans 9:22–23), which He shows forth especially by His Word, and especially in the person of His Son!
When you are brought low or in trouble, what opportunity is there for glorifying God’s mercy? To what activities does His preferred method of glorifying Himself direct you for seeing His glory? How does your own talking to God, and about God, reflect His own emphasis upon His mercy? How does it reflect His own emphasis upon His Son, the Word made flesh?
Sample prayer: We praise You with our whole heart, O Lord. You are infinitely above everything that seems great. Heaven and highest heaven cannot contain You, so we worship Your holiness, and come to that very holiness through Your Son, our Lord Jesus. Magnify Your steadfast love and faithfulness in Christ, as we worship You through Your Word. We are lowly and often troubled, which makes us precisely the sort to whom You show Your great mercy. You have begun Your good work in us; do not forsake the works of Your hands, but perfect that which concerns us, that we may praise Your steadfast love and faithfulness forever, through Christ, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP138 “With All My Heart, My Thanks I’ll Bring” or TPH138A “With All My Heart, My Thanks I’ll Bring”
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