Old Testament Commentary - Psalms 138

by Don R. Hender


Scriptural Text [& Editorial]
Commentary & Explanation
Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
       CHAPTER 138          

David praises the Lord for his lovingkindness and truth—He worships toward the holy temple.

A Psalm of David.
  1 I WILL praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto theea.
  2 I will aworship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
 1a before the gods will I sing praise unto thee Though there is but one true God who has been given us, Jehovah who is Jesus Christ, unto our salvation and redemption; David appears to know and understand that in the celestial heaven there are many gods for he does not speak of false none existant pagen gods but of those gods of heaven before whom he will praise the Lord God Jehovah, even Jesus Christ. David also knew of God the Father of Spirits who he spoke of as being the LORD of his Lord in Psalm 110 as being that God and LORD which stands immediately over our Lord Jehovah, even Jesus Christ. And he also likely knew considering the Holy Ghost. There are then at least three gods of heaven but David also spoke of a multitude of such gods, any number of whom were not those immediately in line over us as are those of the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. And thus we see in a limited scope that the great Plan of Eternal Progression has worked to espouse many gods of the celestial realm of which our knowledge is so limited considering that we need be here concerned with but our one true Ministering God, Jehovah who is Jesus Christ, his and our Father the Fathar of our spirit, and the Holy Ghost who does so witness to our being of the truth of the Godhead and the gospel plan.
  3 In the day when I acried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
  4 All the akings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
  5 Yea, they shall asing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
  6 Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
  7 Though I walk in the midst of atrouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
  8 aThe LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the bworks of thine own hands.