Worthy.Bible » ASV » Psalms » Chapter 138 » Verse 1

Psalms 138:1 American Standard (ASV)

1 I will give thee thanks with my whole heart: Before the gods will I sing praises unto thee.

Cross Reference

John 10:34-36 ASV

Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came (and the scripture cannot be broken), say ye of him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am `the' Son of God?

Psalms 86:12-13 ASV

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart; And I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy lovingkindness toward me; And thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest Sheol.

Psalms 103:1-2 ASV

Bless Jehovah, O my soul; And all that is within me, `bless' his holy name. Bless Jehovah, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:

Commentary on Psalms 138 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


PSALM 138

Ps 138:1-8. David thanks God for His benefits, and anticipating a wider extension of God's glory by His means, assures himself of His continued presence and faithfulness.

1. I will praise thee with my whole heart—(Compare Ps 9:1).

before the gods—whether angels (Ps 8:5); or princes (Ex 21:6; Ps 82:6); or idols (Ps 97:7); denotes a readiness to worship the true God alone, and a contempt of all other objects of worship.

2. (Compare Ps 5:7).

thy word above all thy name—that is, God's promise (2Sa 7:12-16), sustained by His mercy and truth, exceeded all other manifestations of Himself as subject of praise.

3-5. That promise, as an answer to his prayers in distress, revived and strengthened his faith; and, as the basis of other revelations of the Messiah, it will be the occasion of praise by all who hear and receive it (Ps 68:29, 31; Isa 4:3).

5. for great is the glory—or, "when the glory shall be great," in God's fulfilling His purposes of redemption.

6, 7. On this general principle of God's government (Isa 2:11; 57:15; 66:2), he relies for God's favor in saving him, and overthrowing his enemies.

knoweth afar off—their ways and deserts (Ps 1:6).

8. God will fulfil His promise.