His Love Never Fails

Topic: Praise
Passage: Psalms 138:1–8

October 23, 2022

Commentary

This is a Psalm of David written when he was surrounded by enemies and possibly at the time of Absalom’s rebellion. David has and inter compulsion to Worship when he says “I will praise Thee with my whole heart” (v. 1). This is a true characteristic of David that when he is in deep trouble, his life is threatened, he doesn’t know which way to turn and no idea of where his next meal is coming from he is praising God. If there is one time that we stop praising God it is when our little world caves in. At this time we besiege His throne with prayer requests but we are not usually spending much time praising Him.

This is basically a Psalm of Thanksgiving. It is not real clear what the word “gods” in verse 1 refers to. It seems that the psalmist is determined to praise God in the presence of the gods of the heathen. He emphasizes how important the words of God are. Like a  magnifying glass the Word of God is made large. When he prays, God answers and there is no proof as convincing as that of experience. He says that God is no respecter of persons. The high and noble as well as the down and out are the recipients of His mercy. However, God is not deceived by the proud, but knows the truth about them and has no fellowship with them. He has no respect for a Cain’s sacrifice, a Pharaoh’s promise or the Pharisee’s prayer.

Application

If you were to put a magnifying glass over this page, what would it do to the letters? (This is something I can do with my family). Looking through the glass the letters will seem to be larger in size. What does God magnify in today’s passage? I need to consider, “What is big in my life”. What do I think about and talk about most of the time? I need to discuss with my family ways I can praise and magnify Jesus.

Psalms 138:1– 8 (NET)

1 I will give you thanks with all my heart; before the heavenly assembly I will sing praises to you.

2 I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your name, because of your loyal love and faithfulness, for you have exalted your promise above the entire sky.

3 When I cried out for help, you answered me. You made me bold and energized me.

4 Let all the kings of the earth give thanks to you, O Lord, when they hear the words you speak.

5 Let them sing about the Lord’s deeds, for the Lord’s splendor is magnificent.

6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks after the lowly, and from far away humbles the proud.

7 Even when I must walk in the midst of danger, you revive me. You oppose my angry enemies, and your right hand delivers me.

8 The Lord avenges me. O Lord, your loyal love endures. Do not abandon those whom you have made.