Pastor John Mochel

March 22

Reading: Psalm 138

Of David.

 

1   I give you thanks, O LORD,

     with my whole heart;

     before the gods I sing your praise;

2   I bow down toward your holy temple

     and give thanks to your name

     for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,

     for you have exalted above all things

     your name and your word.

3   On the day I called, you answered me;

     my strength of soul you increased.

 

4   All the kings of the earth

     shall give you thanks, O LORD,

     for they have heard the words of your mouth,

5   and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD,

     for great is the glory of the LORD.

6   For though the LORD is high,

     he regards the lowly,

     but the haughty he knows from afar.

 

7   Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

     you preserve my life;

     you stretch out your hand

     against the wrath of my enemies,

     and your right hand delivers me.

8   The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;

     your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.

     Do not forsake the work of your hands.

 

Psalms 138-145 comprise a final collection of eight Davidic psalms, the last songs of King David.  This is how the psalter concludes before we get to the five-chapter benediction, the Great Praise.  Almost half of the psalms in the psalter are written by David.

Psalm 138 exudes confidence from the one who praises the Lord.  It is easy for us to read right past the boldness in saying, “Before the gods I will sing Your praises.”  This is a reference to spiritual beings, angelic and demonic, and to all the false gods this world presents.  In the face of the worship of fame, money, success, and pleasure we worship the Lord with a whole heart.  There is no half-hearted worship of God here.  In a world that presents us with all sorts of false gods; Tylor Swift, Michael Jordan, Marxism, Democracy,  Capitalism, Trumpism, Progressive Liberalism; I will worship the Lord.

Thankfulness is prominent early in this psalm. (vss. 1, 2, and 4)  Giving God thanks is essential when praising Him.  It expresses contentment, trust, and that we do not take what the Lord does for us for granted.  A thankful heart is a happy heart.

What is it that David is thankful for?  What does he praise God for?  Now we get into the confidence that permeates this psalm.

  1. David praises God for His steadfast love and His faithfulness. (vs. 2)
  2. He praises God that He has exalted above all things His name and His word. (vs. 2)
  3. He praises God that He answers prayer and gives David strength. (vs. 3)
  4. He praises God for His great and glorious ways. (vs. 5)
  5. He praises God that He condescends and has regard for the lowly. (vs. 6)
  6. He praises God because God delivers him from his enemies. (vs. 7)
  7. He praises God because God fulfills his purpose in David. (vs. 8)
  8. He praises God because God’s steadfast love endures forever. (vs. 8 and Psalm 136)

What, that God is or in what He does, do you need to praise God for today?