psalm-138:1-5-esv

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 138:5

They shall sing in the ways of the Lord - They shall admire thy conduct, and the wondrous workings of thy providence, if they should not even unite with thy people. read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 1.I will praise thee with my whole heart As David had been honored to receive distinguishing marks of the divine favor, he declares his resolution to show more than ordinary gratitude. This is exercise which degenerates and is degraded in the case of hypocrites to a mere sound of empty words, but he states that he would return thanks to God not with the lips only, but with sincerity of heart, for by the whole heart, as we have elsewhere seen, is meant a heart which is sincere and not... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 138:2

Verse 2 2.I will worship towards the temple (192) of thy holiness. H e intimates that he would show more than private gratitude, and, in order to set an example before others, come in compliance with the precept of the law into the sanctuary. He worshipped God spiritually, and yet would lift his eyes to those outward symbols which were the means then appointed for drawing the minds of God’s people upwards. He singles out the divine mercy and truth as the subject of his praise, for while the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 138:3

Verse 3 3.In the day when I cried to thee, etc. Frequently God prevents our prayers, and surprises us, as it were, sleeping: but commonly he stirs us up to prayer by the influence of his Spirit, and this to illustrate his goodness the more by our finding that he crowns our prayers with success. David well infers that his escape front danger could not have been merely fortuitous, as it plainly appeared that God had answered him. This then is one thing noticeable, that our prayers more nearly... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 138:4

Verse 4 4.Let all kings of the earth praise thee Here he declares that the goodness he had experienced would be extensively known, and the report of it spread over all the world. In saying that even kings had heard the words of God’s mouth, he does not mean to aver that they had been taught in the true religion so as to be prepared for becoming members of the Church, but only that it would be well known everywhere that the reason of his having been preserved in such a wonderful manner was God’s... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:1

I will praise thee with my whole heart (comp. Psalms 9:1 ; Psalms 111:1 ). Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. Some suppose the expression, "before the gods," to mean "before the great ones of the earth," and quote Psalms 119:46 as parallel. Others think that the imaginary vain gods of the heathen are intended. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:1

Unity, entireness, and sincerity in worship. "With my whole heart." The tenor and tone of the psalm suggest the authorship of Zerubbabel or of Nehemiah. Some important success had evidently been just gained; but there was still grave cause for anxiety. Some work of pressing need was seriously impeded. We can easily fit this into the times and experiences of Nehemiah. There was, consequently, the temptation to mingle fears with trust, and offer to God thanksgivings and praises that were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:1

The term gods as a synonym for great ones. The allusion may be to the rulers of Israel ( Psalms 119:46 ). The 'Speaker's Commentary,' however, thinks the meaning can only be this, "Before, or in presence of, the gods of the heathen, i . e . in scorn of, in sight of, the idols, who can do nothing, I will praise Jehovah, who does miracles for me and his people." Jennings and Lowe prefer the rendering, "before the national Elohim," or great men; meaning that, even before persons high... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:1-3

Valiant for the Lord. The Septuagint ascribes this psalm to Haggai or Zechariah. It can hardly be by David. But it was by some greatly tried but triumphant saint. I. SEE HOW HE STANDS UP FOR GOD . Note his boldness. Not only would he praise God with his whole heart, but he would do this in the very face, in the teeth as it were, of the heathen gods; so would he defy and scorn them whilst honoring the Lord in whom he trusted. So would he strengthen his faith and love, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 138:5

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 138:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 138:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 138:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:1-8

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