A Psalm of Praise

Temple Baptist Church - 12-7-2025

Psalm 138

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Psalm 138 is Davidic.  King David was both a warrior and a worshipper.  He understood how to fight, but he also knew how to worship.

 

1.  The Lord taught David to fight - Psalms 144:1-2  A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:  (2)  My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.

 

2.  The Lord taught David to worship through His Word, His Spirit, His instruction, His presence, and through the valleys and mountains of his life.

 

3.  The Davidic Psalms, for the most part, have to do with troubles, trials, deliverance, and praise (worship). 

 

4.  The value of trials and tribulations.  I know that none of us like the hard, unexplainable times when trouble comes our way, but these trials are necessary to strengthen us spiritually and cause us to call upon God for help.

 

1 Peter 1:6-9  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:  (7)  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:  (8)  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  (9)  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

 

5.  “If need be” are the key words here.  “Trial of your faith … might be found unto praise and honour and glory.”  The Lord taught David to worship during the hard times, which inspires these Psalms, and encourages us to do so also.

 

B.  In verse two, which we looked at last week, we find David’s worship based upon the Word of God.

 

Psalms 138:2  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

 

C.  In light of this verse, we find that Psalm 138 is one of wholehearted praise!  It is a beautiful declaration of wholehearted thanksgiving and confidence in the Lord. It is a Psalm written from a heart overwhelmed by God’s mercy, truth, and faithfulness. In these eight verses, David lifts his voice in praise—not because life is perfect, but because God is faithful.

 

D.  This Psalm teaches us how to praise, why to praise, and how to trust God when life becomes overwhelming.  With that thought in mind, let us break the Psalm down into its parts.

 

1.  Verses 1-2.  David’s Praise For Who God Is.

 

Psalms 138:1-2  A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.  (2)  I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

 

a.  David’s praise was not mechanical (repetitive or liturgical, just something that needed to be done).  Too often, God’s people go through the motions.  Someone said that we just “got good at it!”

 

b.  David’s praise was not half-hearted.  “I will praise thee with my whole heart”  His heart and mind were stayed upon the Lord: His greatness, His goodness, and His grace.

 

c.  David’s praise was in the right place, the place where God chose.  “I will worship toward thy holy temple.”  We can certainly worship the Lord everywhere we go and that is a great thing, but so many are not faithful to “the assembling of ourselves together” and become more of the “as the manner as some is”.

 

d.  David’s praise was because of who and what the Lord is.  His lovingkindness, faithfulness, reliability, and integrity.

 

2.  Verse 3.  David’s Praise For What God Did. 

 

Psalms 138:3  In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.

 

a.  God Responded. David remembers a time when he cried out and God answered. “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me.”  The Lord named Ishmael, “The God Who Hears,

when Hagar was banished.

 

b.  David Strengthened.   “And strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.”  God did not remove David’s problem; He strengthened David for the task at hand.  God is a refuge and very present help in time of need.  You may get some help from the world, but only God can strengthen your heart.

 

3.  Verses 4-5.  David’s Prophecy of Praise.

 

Psalms 138:4-5  All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.  (5)  Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.

 

a.  When will the kings of the earth praise God?  David prophesies of the end-time when all nations will bow down and worship God.

 

b.  Why will the kings of the earth praise God? “When they hear the words of thy mouth.”  The Word of God can humble nations while exalting the poorest of sinners.

 

c.  How will the kings of the earth praise God?  “Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.

 

4.  Verse 6.  God’s Love for His People. 

 

Psalm 138:6  Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

 

a.  God’s in infinitely high, yet immeasurably humble.  Philippians 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

 

b.  Almighty God became sin for us.  Philippians 2:6-7  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

 

5.  Verses 7-8.  God’s presence with, and protection of His people.

 

Psalms 138:7-8  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.  (8)  The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

 

a.  God revives us when in trouble.  Psalm 138:7a Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me…”  Though not if!  Problems will come, but God will strengthen. 

 

b.  God will protect us in trouble.  Psalm 138:7b … Thou shalt stretch forth thine hand… and thy right hand shall save me.

 

c.  God will perfect us.  Psalms 138:8a  The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me …

 

d. God will never forsake us. Psalm 138:8b … thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.