7 If I walk in the midst of distress Thou quickenest me, Against the anger of mine enemies Thou sendest forth Thy hand, And Thy right hand doth save me.
Because Thou hast showed me many and sad distresses, Thou turnest back -- Thou revivest me, And from the depths of the earth, Thou turnest back -- Thou bringest me up. Thou dost increase my greatness, And Thou surroundest -- Thou comfortest me,
My soul He refresheth, He leadeth me in paths of righteousness, For His name's sake, Also -- when I walk in a valley of death-shade, I fear no evil, for Thou `art' with me, Thy rod and Thy staff -- they comfort me.
Therefore hath the anger of Jehovah burned among His people, And He stretcheth out His hand against it, And smiteth it, and the mountains tremble, And their carcase is as filth in the midst of the out-places. With all this His anger did not turn back, And still His hand is stretched out!
Be not afraid, for with thee I `am', Look not around, for I `am' thy God, I have strengthened thee, Yea, I have helped thee, yea, I upheld thee, With the right hand of My righteousness.
Dost Thou not turn back? Thou revivest us, And Thy people do rejoice in Thee.
Thou dost not rejoice over me, O mine enemy, When I have fallen, I have risen, When I sit in darkness Jehovah is a light to me. The indignation of Jehovah I do bear, For I have sinned against Him, Till that He doth plead my cause, And hath executed my judgment, He doth bring me forth to the light, I look on His righteousness. And see doth mine enemy, And cover her doth shame, Who saith unto me, `Where `is' Jehovah thy God?' Mine eyes do look on her, Now she is for a treading-place, As mire of the out-places.
That Thy beloved ones may be drawn out, Save `with' Thy right hand, and answer us.
That -- I have known my Redeemer, The Living and the Last, For the dust he doth rise. And after my skin hath compassed this `body', Then from my flesh I see God:
Lo, I `am' against thee, O destroying mount, An affirmation of Jehovah, That is destroying all the earth, And I have stretched out My hand against thee, And I have rolled thee from the rocks, And given thee for a burnt mountain.
Without Me it hath bowed down In the place of a bound one, And in the place of the slain they fall. With all this not turned back hath His anger, And still His hand is stretched out.
Therefore, over its young men the Lord rejoiceth not, And its orphans, and its widows He pitieth not, For every one `is' profane, and an evil doer, And every mouth is speaking folly. With all this not turned back hath His anger, And still His hand is stretched out.
And I say: `My weakness is, The changes of the right hand of the Most High.'
Lo, He doth slay me -- I wait not! Only, my ways unto His face I argue.
Manasseh -- Ephraim, and Ephraim -- Manasseh, Together they `are' against Judah, With all this not turned back hath His anger. And still His hand is stretched out!
By David. Blessed `is' Jehovah my rock, who is teaching My hands for war, my fingers for battle. My kind one, and my bulwark, My tower, and my deliverer, My shield, and in whom I have trusted, Who is subduing my people under me!
For Thou hast tried us, O God, Thou hast refined us as the refining of silver. Thou hast brought us into a net, Thou hast placed pressure on our loins. Thou hast caused man to ride at our head. We have entered into fire and into water, And Thou bringest us out to a watered place.
And God doth shoot them `with' an arrow, Sudden have been their wounds, And they cause him to stumble, Against them `is' their own tongue, Every looker on them fleeth away.
To the Overseer. -- `On the Dumb Dove far off.' -- A secret treasure of David, in the Philistines' taking hold of him in Gath. Favour me, O God, for man swallowed me up, All the day fighting he oppresseth me, Mine enemies have swallowed up all the day, For many `are' fighting against me, O most High,
By Thee our adversaries we do push, By Thy name tread down our withstanders, For, not in my bow do I trust, And my sword doth not save me. For Thou hast saved us from our adversaries, And those hating us Thou hast put to shame.
By David. Strive, Jehovah, with my strivers, fight with my fighters, Take hold of shield and buckler, and rise for my help, And draw out spear and lance, To meet my pursuers. Say to my soul, `Thy salvation I `am'.'
Now I have known That Jehovah hath saved His anointed, He answereth him from His holy heavens, With the saving might of His right hand.
Separate wonderfully Thy kindness, O Saviour of the confiding, By Thy right hand, from withstanders.
For, not to the age do I strive, nor for ever am I wroth, For the spirit from before Me is feeble, And the souls I have made.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 138
Commentary on Psalms 138 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 138
Ps 138:1-8. David thanks God for His benefits, and anticipating a wider extension of God's glory by His means, assures himself of His continued presence and faithfulness.
1. I will praise thee with my whole heart—(Compare Ps 9:1).
before the gods—whether angels (Ps 8:5); or princes (Ex 21:6; Ps 82:6); or idols (Ps 97:7); denotes a readiness to worship the true God alone, and a contempt of all other objects of worship.
2. (Compare Ps 5:7).
thy word above all thy name—that is, God's promise (2Sa 7:12-16), sustained by His mercy and truth, exceeded all other manifestations of Himself as subject of praise.
3-5. That promise, as an answer to his prayers in distress, revived and strengthened his faith; and, as the basis of other revelations of the Messiah, it will be the occasion of praise by all who hear and receive it (Ps 68:29, 31; Isa 4:3).
5. for great is the glory—or, "when the glory shall be great," in God's fulfilling His purposes of redemption.
6, 7. On this general principle of God's government (Isa 2:11; 57:15; 66:2), he relies for God's favor in saving him, and overthrowing his enemies.
knoweth afar off—their ways and deserts (Ps 1:6).
8. God will fulfil His promise.