David praises God for the truth of his word, 1-3. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God, 4-6. He professes his confidence in God, 7, 8.
1 [A Psalm of David.]
I will praise you with my whole heart./
Before the gods I will sing praise to you.
2 I will worship toward your holy temple/
and praise your name/
for your loving-kindness and for your truth,/
for you have magnified your word/
above all your name.
3 In the day when I cried you answered me/
and strengthened me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD,/
when they hear the words of your mouth.
5 Indeed, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD,/
for the glory of the LORD is great.
6 Though the LORD is high,/
yet he has respect to the lowly./
But the proud he knows afar off.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,/
you will revive me./
You will stretch forth your hand/
against the wrath of my enemies,/
and your right hand will save me.
8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me./
Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever./
Do not forsake the works of your own hands.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 138[➚]
John Calvin's Chapter Summary:
In this Psalm David, in remembrance of the singular help which had always been vouchsafed him by God— the experience he had enjoyed of his faithfulness and goodness, takes occasion to stir himself up to gratitude; and from what he had known of the divine faithfulness, he anticipates a continuance of the same mercy. If dangers must be met, he confidently looks for a happy issue.
[v.6] - Reference, Proverbs 3:34; James 4:6; 1st Peter 5:5.