Psalm 138:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:8

God's perfecting. "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of thine own hands." I. THE PSALMIST 'S CONVICTION . Words such as these are said only in the strongest grandest moments of a good man's life. David, St. Paul, St. Peter, St. John, could say them; but the majority of believers in Christ cannot say them at all times; only at certain privileged moments of their lives. And the reason is—they see their own... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 138:8

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me - He will complete what he has begun. He will not begin to interpose in my behalf, and then abandon me. He will not promise to save me, and then fail to fulfill his promise. He will not encourage me, and then cast me off. So of us. He will complete what he begins. He will not convert a soul, and then leave it to perish. “Grace will complete what grace begins.” See the notes at Philippians 1:6.Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever - See the notes at... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 138:7-8

Psalms 138:7-8. Though I walk in the midst of trouble That is, be compassed with dangers; thou wilt revive me Thou wilt cheer my spirit and preserve my life. Thou shalt stretch forth thy hand Put forth thy almighty power; against the wrath of mine enemies To oppose and restrain their rage. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me Will finish that great work of my deliverance and advancement, which he hath undertaken, and carried on hitherto. Thy mercy endureth for ever It is... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 138:1-8

Psalms 138:0 A God for everyoneDavid imagines himself showing all lifeless gods how useless they are and how great is the only true God. This God loves his people, answers their prayers and gives them the strength to face life’s difficulties with boldness (138:1-3).The rulers of other nations ought also to know this God, for in God’s sight their high position does not make them any better than the poor and lowly (4-6). This encourages the psalmist, because those in positions of power are often... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 138:8

8. God will fulfil His promise. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 138:1-8

Psalms 138David thanked the Lord for His loyal love and faithfulness in answering his prayer. He hoped that everyone would acknowledge God’s goodness and experience His deliverance."As in other songs of thanksgiving, this prayer remembers a time of need that has now been resolved in deliverance. What is special here is that the circle of praise is expanded, both in heaven and in earth." [Note: Ibid., p. 131.] This psalm of individual or communal thanksgiving begins a group of eight psalms of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 138:6-8

3. Praise for condescending mercy 138:6-8The Lord is great because He judges justly. He condescends to lift up the lowly, even though His position is lofty. This gave David assurance that God would assist him when he was in trouble. He believed God would fulfill His purpose for his servant because He is loyal to those He loves. This led David to request God’s continuing help, in conclusion.God’s people should not only praise God themselves, but should also seek to lead other people to become... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 138:1-8

Although the title ascribes this Ps. to David, it is generally considered to belong to the post-exilic period, of whose earnest piety it is one of the best examples. According to some scholars the speaker is Israel, but this is doubtful.1. Before] i.e. in front of, in opposition to the (false) gods. 2. Thy name] Thy character, as hitherto revealed. The present fulfilment of thy promise surpasses the renown of all thy former doings.3. Strengthenedst me] RV ’Thou didst encourage me,’ lit. ’madest... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 138:8

(8) Perfect that which concerneth me.—Or, as in the analogous phrase (Psalms 57:2), will complete for me—i.e., either “all my undertakings,” or, as in Philippians 1:6, “what he has begun in and for me.”Forsake not.—Better, the works of Thine hands; do not leave them unfinished. (See for the same verb Nehemiah 6:3; Proverbs 4:13 : “let her not go.”)The special intention of the prayer depends on the origin of the psalm. If it arose out of the troubles of rebuilding Jerusalem and reconstituting... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 138:1-8

Psalms 138:8 In Unorthodox London (2nd Series, pp. 255-60) C. Maurice Davies describes a service at the City Temple. He says that Dr. Parker took as his text the words, 'Forsake not the works of Thine own hands'. 'He proposed to examine the natural claims we had on God. We did not ask to be here in this world, but here we are, and therefore we had a right by nature, by the state of things in which we found ourselves, to say that, under such circumstances, we ought not to be forsaken. It was... read more

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