Psalm 138:2 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:2

God acting beyond expectation. The term "word," in the last clause of this verse, means "promise." So great are God's promises, and so faithful and complete is his performance of them, as even to surpass the expectations which the greatness of his Name has excited. The psalmist often speaks of Jehovah's Name, or reputation, or honor, being at stake. Here the poet can say that the praise won is beyond anything that could have been anticipated. Generally, the Name of God stands for the whole... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:2

The greatness of the Word of God. "For thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name." I. GOD 'S WORD IS GREATER THAN HIS MATERIAL WORK . His word of command was the cause of creation. "Let there be light;" "He commanded, and it stood fast: II. GOD 'S WORD EXPRESSES MORE THAN HIS WORK . God's Word is his uttered thought, and expresses more than the utmost science of nature can utter. Goes beyond all the teachings of chemistry, electricity, etc. ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 138:2

I will worship - I will bow down and adore.Toward thy holy temple - See the notes at Psalms 5:7. The word temple here undoubtedly refers to the tabernacle.And praise thy name for thy loving-kindness - Praise thee for thy benignity; thy mercy; thy benevolence.And for thy truth - Thy truthfulness; thy faithfulness to thy promises.For thou hast magnified thy word - Thou hast made it great. Compare Isaiah 42:21. The reference here is to the promises of God, and especially to the promise which God... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 138:1-2

Psalms 138:1-2. I will praise thee with my whole heart With uprightness of intention, and fervency of affection. Before the gods will I sing praises, &c. Before kings and princes, or, before judges and great men, either those of other nations who visited him, or those of his own nation that attended on him. He will not only praise God in his heart, which he might do, by pious ejaculations, in any company, but will sing praise with his voice, if there should be occasion. I will worship... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 138:2

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 . temple = house or palace. Hebrew. heykal. name. See note on Psalms 20:1 . magnified: i.e. by fulfilling it beyond all expectation. word = sayings. Hebrew. 'imrah . See App-73 . name. See note on Psalms 20:1 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 138:1-2

Psalms 138:1-2. Before the gods— We have shewn, that the word אלהים elohim, here rendered gods, signifies either angels or princes, judges or rulers; in either of which senses it may be taken in this place. Houbigant however renders it, Before God will I sing unto thee; meaning, "in thy presence, or before thy sacred oracle, I will sing thy praises;" and the next verse seems to countenance his opinion; for, towards thy holy temple, may be rendered, towards the palace of thy holiness; i.e. the... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 138:2

2. (Compare :-). thy word above all thy name—that is, God's promise ( :-), sustained by His mercy and truth, exceeded all other manifestations of Himself as subject of praise. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 138:1-3

1. Praise for answered prayer 138:1-3The psalmist vowed to praise God wholeheartedly in the temple for His loyal love and faithfulness. The "gods" before whom he promised to give thanks may be judges and rulers (cf. Psalms 95:3; Psalms 96:4; Psalms 97:7) or perhaps the pagan idols that surrounded him (cf. Psalms 138:4-5). God had exalted His Word equally with His reputation by being faithful to His promises (Psalms 138:2). God had answered David’s petition and had strengthened him spiritually... 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

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 138:2

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 138:2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 138:1-2

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 138:1-8

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 138:2

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 138:1-2

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Psalms 138:2

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Psalms 138:1-3

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

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