This is second in a series on Thankful Psalms. The first post: Psalm 100: Joyful Thanksgiving.
How thankful are you really? Were you thankful yesterday when all went your way…but not so much today when everything seems to go against you? Too often we are thankful for things that are here today and gone tomorrow, instead of giving thanks for what is eternal.
David understood trouble, yet he was determined to remain thankful with his whole heart trusting God’s lovingkindness and faithfulness.
Psalm 138
1. “I will give You thanks with all my heart;
I will sing praises to You before the gods.
2. I will bow down toward Your holy temple
And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.
3. On the day I called, You answered me;
You made me bold with strength in my soul.”
Verses 1 – 3: With all my heart…
Note the repeated use of “I will…”. David showed whole hearted allegiance to God. He praised God before the gods. (This could refer to the false gods or earthly rulers.) And humbled himself by bowing down toward the place where God dwelt. He gave thanks, not just for what God had done, but to His name and for His lovingkindness and truth.
David called out to God…maybe in fear of his enemies or frustration of his circumstances. God’s answer gave David boldness, courage within to endure and stand strong whatever life’s difficulties.
Today, let your thankfulness be whole hearted, not half hearted…singing His praises before the false gods of our society and humbly bowing down while lifting up your voice in praise to our God’s great name! Call on God and let His answer give you strength within to stand strong in spite of the difficulties facing you today!
4. “All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O Lord,
When they have heard the words of Your mouth.
5. And they will sing of the ways of the Lord,
For great is the glory of the Lord.
6. For though the Lord is exalted,
Yet He regards the lowly,
But the haughty He knows from afar.
Verses 4 – 6: All will give thanks…
David was confident when the kings of the earth heard God’s words, they too would offer thanks and sing of the ways of the Lord. David was not ashamed to speak of God’s testimonies before kings (Psalm 119:46), because he understood the greatness of the glory of God. Even though, God is exalted, He still has regard for the lowly (the poor, humble). God will keep His distance from the haughty (those who think highly of themselves). As the proverb says…”though He scoffs at the scoffers, yet He gives grace to the afflicted” (Proverbs 3:34).
Let this be an encouragement to you when you humbly serve God – even though others may look down or criticize, God is aware and will give you grace (James 4:6).
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 accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hand
Verses 7 – 8: Praise for what God will do…
Even as David offered up this psalm of thanksgiving and praise, he was in the midst of trouble or knew he soon would be. He was trusting that God would deal with the wrath of his enemies and save him. More than that, David believed the Lord would revive or restore his life and ultimately accomplish His purpose for his life. David based his trust in the Lord’s everlasting lovingkindness.
We will face many different troubles in this life. Like David, we too must trust that God will fulfill His good purpose for our lives, through His everlasting lovingkindness.
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
Heartland Precepts 