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Thanksgiving for Yahweh’s Goodness

Of David.[a]

138 I give you thanks with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise.
I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name,
because of your loyal love and faithfulness,
for you have magnified your word[b] according to all your name.[c]
When[d] I called and you answered me,
you emboldened me in my soul with strength.
All the kings of the earth
will praise you, O Yahweh,
when they have heard the words[e] of your mouth,
and they will sing of the ways of Yahweh,
because Yahweh’s glory is great.
Though Yahweh is high, yet he sees the lowly,
but the proud he perceives[f] at a distance.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me alive.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my enemies,
and you save me with your right hand.
Yahweh accomplishes things for my benefit.
O Yahweh, your loyal love endures forever;
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 138:1 The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm
  2. Psalm 138:2 Or “promise”
  3. Psalm 138:2 Or “beyond all your name”
  4. Psalm 138:3 Literally “In the day”
  5. Psalm 138:4 Or “heard about the words”
  6. Psalm 138:6 Hebrew “knows”

Psalm 138

Of David.

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    before the “gods”(A) I will sing(B) your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple(C)
    and will praise your name(D)
    for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,(E)
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
    that it surpasses your fame.(F)
When I called,(G) you answered me;(H)
    you greatly emboldened(I) me.

May all the kings of the earth(J) praise you, Lord,
    when they hear what you have decreed.
May they sing(K) of the ways of the Lord,
    for the glory of the Lord(L) is great.

Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;(M)
    though lofty, he sees them(N) from afar.
Though I walk(O) in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life.(P)
You stretch out your hand(Q) against the anger of my foes;(R)
    with your right hand(S) you save me.(T)
The Lord will vindicate(U) me;
    your love, Lord, endures forever(V)
    do not abandon(W) the works of your hands.(X)