PSALM 138 - DAVID'S EXALTATION OF THE LORD

PSALM 138

DAVID’S EXALTATION

OF THE LORD

David was most likely responding to what we know as the Davidic Covenant. The Lord used the prophet Nathan to reveal to David that his son, Solomon, would build a temple to replace the tabernacle tent for worshipping the Lord. The Lord promised at this time that David’s descendants would continue on the throne of Israel forever, a promise fulfilled in the person of the King of kings, Jesus Christ, the God-Man, the Son of God who was humanly descended from David. You may read the full account of Nathan’s prophecy and God’s promise at 2 Samuel 7:12–14, 16.

Psalm 138:1 I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

Susie: David expressed that he would sing praise to the one, true God. It mattered not what gods other kings worshiped. His devotion was to Adonai, the Great I Am, the Creator of everything.

Susan: David praised God with the totality of his soul, his being, his members, all that he was.

Susie: This was David’s deeply personal praise for all God had done and was doing in his life and for future generations of his family.

Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Susie: Since the temple had not yet been constructed, David would pray facing the tent, the tabernacle, that housed the Ark of the Covenant, the symbol of God’s presence among His people, Israel.

Susan: David praised the Lord for favoring His family above all other families by establishing them as kings over Israel, a dynasty that will finally endure eternally in the person of Jesus.

Psalm 138:3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

Susie: David did not specify a specific day when he cried out to the Lord, but there were many. When he was pursued by Saul, he cried out to the Lord (1 Samuel 23).

Susan: When David’s wives and the wives and children of his men were taken captive at Ziklag, He cried out to the Lord (1 Samuel 30)

Susie: When his sin with Bathsheba caused the Lord to take their firstborn son, he cried out to the Lord (2 Samuel 12:16). And surely there were many other times David called upon the Lord when in distress.

Susan: David did not specify a particular event of calling on God when distressed. Therefore, generations later, we can relate to God and His word today through David’s example.

Psalm 138:4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth. 5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.

Susan: We know this is prophecy of the future when Jesus, descendent of David, takes His throne. We surely know this is not happening today.

Susie: Nor has it ever happened in history. However, David was prophesying about that day when EVERY person will be compelled to acknowledge Jesus as Lord and King:

Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Susie: God’s glory supersedes that of anything and everything. The Creator of all must be above and beyond that which He created.

Psalm 138:6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

Susan: Even though God is exalted above everyone and everything, He has consideration for the humble.

Susie: In fact, the Lord elevates the meek, the humble, who seek Him.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Susie: God often chooses those of low status to use mightily for His kingdom. Such as elevating a shepherd boy to be king.

Susan: Another great example of this is God’s choice to be the mother of Jesus, His Son. Mary was a peasant girl. She exclaimed:

Luke 1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

Psalm 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

Susie: Doesn’t this remind you of Psalm 23:4?

Susan: Yes. David trusted the Lord to invigorate him, revitalize him in the middle of battle. When the Lord strengthens you, you have been fortified with a strength that cannot be quenched by man or beast.

Susie: Or, for that matter, spirit. Even if the enemy is Satan and his demons, the Lord will deliver us out of their hands and protect us.

Susan: This reminds me of the verse about being delivered from the snare of the fowler:

Psalm 91:2-4 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Susie: Here is a New Testament example of the Lord’s protection from the Enemy of our souls:

Luke 22:31-32 (AMP) “Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain; but I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].”

Psalm 138:8 The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Susan: I like the translation of this verse in the Voice Bible:

Psalm 138:8 (VOICE) VOICE  The Eternal will finish what He started in me. Your faithful love, O Eternal One, lasts forever; do not give up on what Your hands have made.

Susie: This is David’s praise of the Lord’s future faithfulness, and his humble prayer that the Lord will do in him everything He has promised in the Davidic Covenant.

Susan: What is the scripture that begins, “He who began a good work…”

Philippians 1:6 (VOICE)     I am confident that the Creator, who has begun such a great work among you, will not stop in mid-design but will keep perfecting you until the day Jesus the Anointed, our Liberating King, returns to redeem the world.

QUESTIONS

1.               David praised the true God above all else. What is the magnitude of your praise? Are you unrestrained in your worship, or do you hold back?

2.               David sang. Is singing required in the worship of God or are other expressions of praise just as acceptable?

3.               Why did David leave verse three a little vague instead naming specific instances of crying out to the Lord?

4.               Share about a time when you cried out to God in desperation. What was the result or how did God answer?

5.               When will all the kings of the earth bow in praise to the true God?

6.               Does God “write off” those of low position? Explain.

7.               How does verse 7 of Psalm 138 compare with verse 4 of Psalm 23?

What does the word “perfect” in verse 8 mean? Does God perfect believers today in that sense?