7 Even when trouble is round me, you will give me life; your hand will be stretched out against the wrath of my haters, and your right hand will be my salvation.
You, who have sent great and bitter troubles on me, will give me life again, lifting me up from the deep waters of the underworld. You will make me greater than before, and give me comfort on every side.
He gives new life to my soul: he is my guide in the ways of righteousness because of his name. Yes, though I go through the valley of deep shade, I will have no fear of evil; for you are with me, your rod and your support are my comfort.
Do not be glad because of my sorrow, O my hater: after my fall I will be lifted up; when I am seated in the dark, the Lord will be a light to me. I will undergo the wrath of the Lord, because of my sin against him; till he takes up my cause and does what is right for me: when he makes me come out into the light, I will see his righteousness; And my hater will see it and be covered with shame; she who said to me, Where is the Lord your God? my eyes will see their desire effected on her, now she will be crushed under foot like the dust of the streets.
But I am certain that he who will take up my cause is living, and that in time to come he will take his place on the dust; And ... without my flesh I will see God;
<A Psalm. Of David.> Praise be to the God of my strength, teaching my hands the use of the sword, and my fingers the art of fighting: He is my strength, and my Rock; my high tower, and my saviour; my keeper and my hope: he gives me authority over my people.
For you, O God, have put us to the test: testing us by fire like silver. You let us be put in prison; chains were put on our legs. You let men go driving over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but you took us out into a wide place.
But God sends out an arrow against them; suddenly they are wounded. The evil of their tongues is the cause of their fall; all those who see them are shaking their heads at them.
<To the chief music-maker; put to Jonath elem rehokim. Of David. Michtam. When the Philistines took him in Gath.> Have mercy on me, O God, for man is attempting my destruction; every day he makes cruel attacks against me. My haters are ever ready to put an end to me; great numbers are lifting themselves up against me.
Through you will we overcome our haters; by your name will they be crushed under our feet who are violent against us. I will not put faith in my bow, my sword will not be my salvation. But it is you who have been our saviour from those who were against us, and have put to shame those who had hate for us.
<Of David.> O Lord, be on my side against those who are judging me; be at war with those who make war against me. Be a breastplate to me, and give me your help. Take up your spear and keep back my attackers; say to my soul, I am your salvation.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 138
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.