Psalm 138: I Will Praise You with My Whole Heart
Best for: Grateful praise, trusting God's completion
Psalm 138 ("I Will Praise You with My Whole Heart") is a thanksgiving psalm best read for grateful praise, trusting god's completion. Psalm 138 is David's wholehearted thanksgiving. He praises God before the gods, worships toward the holy temple, and praises God's name for lovingkindness and truth.
Overview
Psalm 138 is David's wholehearted thanksgiving. He praises God before the gods, worships toward the holy temple, and praises God's name for lovingkindness and truth. When David called, God answered and strengthened him.
Though the Lord is high, He has regard for the lowly. Even in the midst of trouble, God stretches forth His hand and perfects what concerns David.
Key Verses
"In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul."— Psalm 138:3 (KJV)
"The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."— Psalm 138:8 (KJV)
Key Themes
Reflection
God 'will perfect that which concerneth me.' He doesn't start things He won't finish. Whatever concerns you — He is working on it. Praise Him with your whole heart, not half.
Historical Context
David praises God 'before the gods'—boldly declaring Yahweh's supremacy in the presence of rival deities. 'Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly' captures the paradox of divine transcendence and immanence. The God above all gods stoops to walk with the humble.
How to Apply This Today
God's attention is inversely proportional to human pride: 'the proud He knows from afar.' If you want God's intimate presence, cultivate lowliness. If you want distance, cultivate pride. This isn't punishment—it's physics. Humility creates proximity to God; pride creates distance.
🙏 A Prayer from Psalm 138
I will praise You with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing praises to You. In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul. Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. Amen.
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Read devotionalFrequently Asked Questions
What is Psalm 138 about?
Psalm 138 is David's wholehearted thanksgiving. He praises God before the gods, worships toward the holy temple, and praises God's name for lovingkindness and truth. When David called, God answered and strengthened him. Though the Lord is high, He has regard for the lowly. Even in the midst of trouble, God stretches forth His hand and perfects what concerns David.
What does Psalm 138 teach us?
God 'will perfect that which concerneth me.' He doesn't start things He won't finish. Whatever concerns you — He is working on it. Praise Him with your whole heart, not half.
What are the key themes of Psalm 138?
The key themes of Psalm 138 include: Wholehearted Praise, God Regards the Lowly, Answered Prayer, Perfection.
When should I read Psalm 138?
Psalm 138 is especially meaningful for: Grateful praise, trusting God's completion. The overall mood is wholehearted, confident.
How can I apply Psalm 138 to my life?
God's attention is inversely proportional to human pride: 'the proud He knows from afar.' If you want God's intimate presence, cultivate lowliness. If you want distance, cultivate pride. This isn't punishment—it's physics. Humility creates proximity to God; pride creates distance.
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