Ps 138:1-8, David was focused on the most important person

Review: Overview of Psalms graphically


Psalm 138:1 (ESV) — 1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;


• What or why would he mention non-existent gods?
• The phrase "gods" are not always non-existent deities, sometimes in scripture it refers to Judges and Rulers, people who think of themselves as "gods"
• It could be in reference to the idols around him -- in which case he is really speaking to the worshippers
Psalm 97:7 (ESV) — 7 All worshipers of images are put to shame,
who make their boast in worthless idols;
worship him, all you gods!
• What is David communicating with whole heart, and why is that important to him?
• People try to worship God with a half-heart or even no heart (all show)
• David is known for his  whole heart
• [Look up words] The words mean entire or total center of being
• APPLICATION: For David, anything less than everything was not worship. In my opinion, it is dangerous to walk with God half-hearted.  It certainly will result in missed blessings in life


Psalm 138:2 (ESV) — 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.


• What is the key word(s) in this verse?
• Name is mentioned twice
• Word is mentioned once, but also twice if you add verse 3 "answered"
• [Look up] Hebrew Sem means name--standing, reputation, and fame
• APPLICATION: God doesn't need to defend himself. But to a world looking for answers our witness is supposed to communicate his name to the world. We are of his family. We carry his name. Do we even think about that in our daily actions?


Psalm 138:3 (ESV) — 3 On the day I called, you answered me;
my strength of soul you increased.


• This concept of immediate answered prayer is repeated in scripture, but so is the concept of persevering prayer
Daniel 9:23 (ESV) — 23 At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision.
Daniel 10:12–14 (ESV) — 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. 13 The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia, 14 and came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.”
• Two examples of immediate prayer are in Daniel. Our hermeneutic about historical accounts applies here. Just because God does something in one or two situations, does not mean it is a biblical principle. We are required to go didactic passages for teaching. What does Jesus tell us?
Luke 11:5–13 (ESV) — 5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Colossians 4:2 (ESV) — 2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
• APPLICATION: God answers prayers. Maybe not in our timetable, but God does answer prayers. We don't accept all the answers


Psalm 138:4–5 (ESV) — 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.


• Obviously this is not true today except in isolated settings. Queen of Sheba is one example. Ravi Zacharias talks about many leaders who believe in God
• Someday, every knew will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
• The only theological questions is whether David is using a hyperbole
• Remember the Psalms are true in the sense that they perfectly express the heart of the worshipper
• All knees will bow, but nowhere else in scripture does it say that they will sing
• I think this is David's wish. He loves God so much, he wants every leader to hear about him
• APPLICATION: Do we have that same wish?


Psalm 138:7 (ESV) — 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.


• [Look up word] This is similar to Psalm 23, but different. What is David saying?
• The word is saw-rah and means enmity, distress, anxiety
• People are against David, either physically or in some psychological or emotional way
• What is David's confidence?
• David's life will be preserved -- God will protect him (7b)
• God will fight David's battle (7c)
• God will "save" David. He will be victorious (7d)
• APPLICATION: All of us know that fear in the pit of our stomach. Phil 4:6 says to "Cast all your anxiety on him, for he cares about you." When Satan attacks, we need to cast the fear and worry onto God. Sometimes continually.


Psalm 138:8 (ESV) —
8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.


• So interestingly, the words "his purpose" does not occur in the passage
• [Look up] So instead let's look at fulfill
• It means to perfect, accomplish, bring to an end. But what is the object? ME
• God has an end, a purpose, for each of us
• How can we help and how can we hinder God in what he wants to do for us?
• BTW, this thought is supported in the NT by didactic passages
• We can support by listening
• We can hinder by entangling ourselves
Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
• APPLICATION: Do we see our lives like David saw his? Or do we think we are in charge?