Psalm 138 Bible Commentary

John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(Read all of Psalm 138)

Verse 1

[1] I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.

The gods — Before kings and princes.

Verse 2

[2] I will worship 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.

Temple — Where the ark was. He was not permitted to enter into it.

Magnified — For thou hast glorified thy word or promise unto me more than any other of thy glorious perfections.

Verse 4

[4] All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.

The kings — A prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles.

Hear — The gospel preached among then.

Verse 5

[5] Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.

The ways — His wonderful counsel and gracious providences.

Verse 8

[8] The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Perfect — Will finish the great work of my deliverance.

Forsake not — Or, do not give over, the work of my salvation, which is thus far advanced, not by any human help, but by thy power and providence.