The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:1-8

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

A CLUSTER of Davidical psalms here follows. It is not easy to trace any single line of thought connecting them all, or to explain how they come to be so entirely separated from the great bulk of the Davidical psalms. The first two are, in the main, psalms of praise; the next four, psalms of supplication; in Psalms 146:1-10, praise and supplication are blended; while in Psalms 145:1-21. praise again forms the main, if not the sole, topic of the composition. It is a fanciful exegesis, which sees in all the eight psalms reflections upon the promise made to David in 2 Samuel 7:1-29.

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 138:1-5Psalms 138:1-5 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryWhen we can praise God with our whole heart, we need not be unwilling for the whole world to witness our gratitude and joy in him. Those who rely on his loving-kindness and truth through Jesus Christ, will ever find him…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:1-8Psalms 138:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe goodness of God. There are very few psalms where so much is crowded into a very small compass as in this. The writer in a very few strokes brings out those features in the character of God which make him to be the O…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:1-8Psalms 138:1-8 · The Pulpit CommentaryExultation in God. What a contrast between this psalm and the previous one! There the sad-hearted writer asks, "How can we sing?" Here the psalmist can and will do nothing but sing. The effect of this spirit is seen thr…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:1Psalms 138:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryI 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 qu…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:1-3Psalms 138:1-3 · The Pulpit CommentaryValiant 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…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:1Psalms 138:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryUnity, 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 w…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 138:1-5When we can praise God with our whole heart, we need not be unwilling for the whole world to witness our gratitude and joy in him. Those who rely on his loving-kindness and truth through Jesus Christ, will ever find him…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:1-8The goodness of God. There are very few psalms where so much is crowded into a very small compass as in this. The writer in a very few strokes brings out those features in the character of God which make him to be the O…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:1-8Exultation in God. What a contrast between this psalm and the previous one! There the sad-hearted writer asks, "How can we sing?" Here the psalmist can and will do nothing but sing. The effect of this spirit is seen thr…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:1I 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 qu…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:1-3Valiant 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…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:1Unity, 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 w…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:1The 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 t…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 138:2I will worship toward thy holy temple. The term "temple" here must designate the tabernacle (comp. Psalms 5:8). And praise thy Name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth. "Mercy" and "truth" are God's two highest at…Joseph S. Exell and contributors