Psalm 138
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
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.