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Thanksgiving for Yahweh’s Goodness

Of David.[a]

138 I give you thanks with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise.
I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name,
because of your loyal love and faithfulness,
for you have magnified your word[b] according to all your name.[c]
When[d] I called and you answered me,
you emboldened me in my soul with strength.
All the kings of the earth
will praise you, O Yahweh,
when they have heard the words[e] of your mouth,
and they will sing of the ways of Yahweh,
because Yahweh’s glory is great.
Though Yahweh is high, yet he sees the lowly,
but the proud he perceives[f] at a distance.
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve me alive.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my enemies,
and you save me with your right hand.
Yahweh accomplishes things for my benefit.
O Yahweh, your loyal love endures forever;
do not abandon the works of your hands.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 138:1 The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm
  2. Psalm 138:2 Or “promise”
  3. Psalm 138:2 Or “beyond all your name”
  4. Psalm 138:3 Literally “In the day”
  5. Psalm 138:4 Or “heard about the words”
  6. Psalm 138:6 Hebrew “knows”

Psalm 138

A psalm of David.

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;
    I will sing your praises before the gods.
I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
    I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
for your promises are backed
    by all the honor of your name.
As soon as I pray, you answer me;
    you encourage me by giving me strength.

Every king in all the earth will thank you, Lord,
    for all of them will hear your words.
Yes, they will sing about the Lord’s ways,
    for the glory of the Lord is very great.
Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble,
    but he keeps his distance from the proud.

Though I am surrounded by troubles,
    you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand,
    and the power of your right hand saves me.
The Lord will work out his plans for my life—
    for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Don’t abandon me, for you made me.