Skip to main content
    God Looks Upon the Lowly

    Psalm 138:6 Commentary

    In-depth meaning, historical context, and practical application

    Written by Bible Sundays Editorial TeamChecked by Bible Sundays Scripture DeskLast reviewed August 1, 2026Our editorial standards
    "Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off."
    — Psalm 138:6 (KJV)
    Read Chapter

    Introduction

    Two verses before declaring that God will finish what He starts in us (v. 8), David tells us who that 'us' is: the lowly. The exalted LORD bends near to the humble and keeps a watchful distance from the proud.

    Historical Context

    Ancient kings ignored the small and surrounded themselves with the great. David's God reverses the pattern, and David — who came from sheepfolds to the throne — has felt this reversal personally.

    Original Language Insights

    'Respect' (ra'ah) — to look upon, to regard with care.

    'Afar off' (merachoq) — at a distance, even when the proud are physically near. God's nearness is moral, not merely spatial.

    Theological Significance

    Pride is the one posture that blocks intimacy with God. Humility is not a virtue we add to godliness; it is the doorway through which God comes near.

    Practical Application

    Worried God feels distant? Check your posture before checking your circumstances. The lowly are never far from Him.

    Cross-References & Related Scriptures

    Psalm 138:7

    "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me."

    The very next verse — God's nearness to the lowly is the engine of His reviving help.

    James 4:6

    "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."

    New Testament restatement of the same divine pattern.

    Prayer Response

    Lord, You bend near to the lowly. Bend me lower, that I may be nearer to You. Amen.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does God not see the proud?

    He sees them perfectly; He just refuses intimate fellowship with them. 'Knoweth afar off' is judgment language, not ignorance.

    Read commentary on surrounding verses

    Continue studying Psalms 138 verse by verse:

    After · Psalm 138:7Exact verse

    Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

    Theme: Revival in the Midst of Trouble

    After · Psalm 138:8Exact verse

    The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

    Theme: God's Faithfulness

    Nearest commentary in Psalms

    Later · 1 ch forward · Psalm 139:1-2Nearest chapter

    O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

    Theme: God's Omniscience

    Later · 1 ch forward · Psalm 139:7-8Nearest chapter

    Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

    Theme: God's Omnipresence

    Later · 1 ch forward · Psalm 139:7Nearest chapter

    Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

    Theme: God's Inescapable Presence

    Later · 1 ch forward · Psalm 139:9-10Nearest chapter

    If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

    Theme: God's Presence

    Read Psalms 137No commentary yet
    Read Psalms 138 (full)Nearest commentary: Psalm 138:7
    Read Psalms 139Commentary: Psalm 139:7-8
    Previous commentary: Psalm 136:1Next commentary: Psalm 138:7

    Related Commentaries

    Psalm 100:4-5 Commentary

    "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be than…"

    Worship

    Psalm 73:26 Commentary

    "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my porti…"

    Strength

    Psalm 23:6 Commentary

    "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dw…"

    God's Faithfulness

    Psalm 1:1-2 Commentary

    "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth …"

    Wisdom & Obedience

    Related Bible Questions

    Common questions people ask about this passage — answered with KJV scripture.

    What Does the Bible Say About Humility?

    God exalts the humble and resists the proud — humility is central to the Christian life and modeled perfectly by Jesus.

    Read answer

    Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?

    Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.

    Read answer

    What does the Bible say about prayer?

    The Bible teaches that prayer is direct communication with God — a privilege for all believers — and should be persistent, humble, faith-filled, and aligned with God's will.

    Read answer

    What Is the Holy of Holies?

    The Holy of Holies was the innermost room of the tabernacle and temple where God's presence dwelt above the Ark of the Covenant. Only the high priest could enter, once a year on the Day of Atonement.

    Read answer

    What Does the Bible Mean by 'Fear of the Lord'?

    The fear of the Lord is not terror but reverent awe — a deep respect for God's holiness, power, and authority that is the foundation of true wisdom.

    Read answer

    What Does the Bible Say About Music and Singing?

    The Bible commands believers to sing praise to God, use instruments in worship, and make melody in their hearts — music has been central to worship from the Psalms to the early church.

    Read answer

    Quick Devotional

    For a shorter devotional reflection on related verses:

    Psalm 46:1 – Meaning & Devotional

    "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

    Psalm 27:1 – Meaning & Devotional

    "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"

    Psalm 37:4 – Meaning & Devotional

    "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

    Related Miracles

    Signs and wonders connected to this passage and its themes:

    Deliverance & Judgment
    Old Testament

    The Plague Stopped by Phinehas

    Phinehas' zealous act ends a plague that killed 24,000 Israelites at Peor.

    Read the miracle
    Signs & Wonders
    New Testament

    The Transfiguration of Jesus

    Jesus is transfigured on a mountain, His face shining as the sun, with Moses and Elijah appearing.

    Read the miracle
    Healing
    New Testament

    Healing of Malchus' Ear

    Jesus restores the severed ear of the high priest's servant at His arrest in Gethsemane.

    Read the miracle

    Related Reading

    Continue your study with related content from across our library:

    Commentary

    Psalm 34:17-18 Commentary

    In-depth study • God's Nearness in Pain

    Commentary

    Psalm 145:18 Commentary

    In-depth study • God's Nearness

    Devotional

    Psalm 145:18 — Meaning & Devotional

    God's Nearness

    Commentary

    Isaiah 55:8-9 Commentary

    In-depth study • God's Sovereignty

    Spiritual Warfare

    Submit to God, Resist the Devil — James 4:7 (KJV)

    Resistance to the devil begins with submission to God — surrender first, then st

    Character

    Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible

    The King Who Was Humbled

    Share this commentary:
    Share:
    Psalm 138:7Psalm 45:10

    Where to go next

    Read the commentary on Psalm 138:6? Here is where most readers go next.