Psalm 138 – A Heart Full of Praise
Though only eight verses long, Psalm 138 has inspired countless praise and worship songs because it captures the heart posture of true worship: gratitude, surrender, confidence in God’s love, and trust in His faithfulness.
Here are just a few examples of how the psalm has shaped the sound and spirit of worship:
🎵 “I will praise You, Lord, with all my heart…”
(Psalm 138:1)
This line has become the opening refrain of many songs centered on wholehearted worship — a recurring theme in both contemporary and traditional music. Songs like “With All I Am” (Hillsong) and “I Will Exalt You” echo this kind of undivided devotion.
🎵 “In the day when I cried out, You answered me…”
(Psalm 138:3)
This verse resonates in worship songs that celebrate God’s nearness and responsiveness, especially in suffering. Think of songs like “You Are My Strength When I Am Weak” or “Oceans” — songs that acknowledge our vulnerability and God’s sustaining presence.
🎵 “Your steadfast love and faithfulness…”
(Psalm 138:2)
This phrase lives in countless worship anthems that declare God’s unchanging nature, such as “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, “One Thing Remains”, and “Your Love Never Fails.” These songs offer strength and assurance in seasons of doubt or waiting.
🎵 “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me…”
(Psalm 138:8)
This powerful closing line is echoed in songs like “He Who Began a Good Work in You” and “Way Maker.” It reminds us that God is faithful to complete the work He begins, reinforcing hope even when we can’t yet see the outcome.
A Closer Look at the Psalm
Psalm 138 is attributed to David, and it stands as a bold declaration of praise, trust, and gratitude — not just in private, but before the world and even in the presence of enemies. It reverberates with deep faith and unwavering confidence in the character and promises of God.
Wholehearted Praise (vv. 1–2)
David begins by saying he will praise the Lord with his whole heart. This isn’t casual or convenient worship — it’s full-bodied, soul-deep devotion. And it’s not hidden:
“Before the gods I will sing praises to You.”
Some interpret “gods” as idols or worldly powers. Either way, David isn’t ashamed to worship God openly, even in defiant contrast to the world’s distractions. In verse 2, he bows toward the holy temple and exalts two core attributes of God:
“Your lovingkindness and Your truth…”
The Hebrew words here — chesed (steadfast love) and emet (truth or faithfulness) — reflect the very foundation of God’s relationship with His people.
God Answers the Lowly (v. 3)
David testifies:
“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.”
This is not abstract theology — it’s personal. David doesn’t just say God responded; he says God strengthened his soul. We often look for changes in our circumstances, but God often starts by changing us.
Every Knee Shall Bow (vv. 4–5)
David looks ahead to a day when even the kings of the earth will recognize God’s greatness:
“Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.”
It’s a prophetic vision, foreshadowing a time when every knee will bow, echoing Philippians 2:10: “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…”
The God Who Sees the Lowly (v. 6)
“Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.”
This is a beautiful tension: God is exalted, yet near to the humble. He is majestic but not unapproachable. It’s a reminder that in the Kingdom of God, the way up is down — through humility.
Preserved in the Midst of Trouble (vv. 7–8)
David acknowledges the reality of trials:
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me…”
God doesn’t always remove the trouble, but He revives us in the midst of it. David trusts that God’s hand will protect him, and that His purpose will not fail:
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the work of Your hands.”
What a promise: God finishes what He starts. This aligns with Philippians 1:6 — “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” David knows he is the work of God’s hands, and that God does not abandon His workmanship.
Final Thought
Psalm 138 reminds us that our praise is not circumstantial — it’s rooted in who God is: faithful, loving, and near to the humble. In joy or in trouble, in private or in public, we can say with David:
“I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart.”