Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

PSALM 138: SING YOUR PRAISES BEFORE THE GODS A Deep Relationship with God

This psalm is the first in a series of 8 highly personalized songs by King David (138-145) that ad- dress God in the 1st person. He has grown so close to the Lord that his relationship has moved beyond the formal, lofty names for Yahweh to the personal pronoun ‘you.’ In ancient times, the gods of the na- tions only interacted with kings and priests but this psalm celebrates the humility of the mighty God of Israel who is willing to befriend anyone who approaches him on his terms. It looks forward; ‘There will come a time when the praise of Jahve, which according to 137:3 was obliged to be dumb in the pres- ence of the heathen, will according to 138:5, be sung by the Kings of the heathen themselves.’ 1 Jesus is foreshadowed as the Temple to which all people will look and offer their praise. It’s outline follows three sections:

I WITH ALL MY HEART - 1-3 Personal Praise II WILL GIVE YOU THANKS - 4-6 Kings Praise III WORK OUT HIS PLANS - 7, 8 Protected by God

INTRODUCTION:

“A Psalm of David”

There is a tradition in the ancient Greek translations that ‘Psalm 138 was composed by Zechariah, or in some way was connected to Zechariah.’ 2 Verse 4 “Every king in all the earth will give you thanks…” is usually presented as evidence that King David penned this himself.

I

WITH ALL MY HEART - 1-3 Personal Praise

“I give you thanks, [O Lord], with all my heart; I will sing your praises before the gods.” (1)

The [O Lord] is added in many translations to identify Yahweh as the one to whom the psalmist is singing his praise but it is not in the original manuscripts. This lets us know that David has a familiar re- lationship with God that jumps to the atmosphere of the New Testament era where God is as close as a trusted friend. Singing praises “Before the gods…” has been explained three different ways, each being the possible answer: 1.) The “gods” could be the mighty angels both good and evil that seemingly have a window to observe our actions in the earthly realms. 2.) They are possibly the judges and mighty ones that wield power in the governments of mankind. 3.) The “gods” could be the minor gods of the hea- then countries that surrounded the tiny nation of Israel. In any case, the author is not the least bit in- timidated to sing whole-hearted praise in full view of these “gods” who are observing the worship of Yahweh in his Temple. The Tent of David and later the Temple of Solomon were destinations and centers of worship as the Lord’s presence was in the Most Holy Place, hovering above the Ark of the Covenant. Solomon prayed at the Temple dedication: “May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place. May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.” (2 Chron. 6:21) ‘ … the Jew looked to the Temple, we are to look to Jesus, the living temple of the Godhead.’ 3 The heart of the individual as well as the gathered church become resting places for the presence of God. “For where two or three gather together because they are mine, I am there among them.” (Mt. 18:20) Thanksgiving explodes from the heart of the person who has been touched by his “unfailing love and faithfulness” (mercy and truth) . ‘Mercy and truth are God’s two highest attributes’ 4 and they are meant to be experienced together. Truth without mercy is unbearable; mercy without truth is disorient- ing providing no direction for the spiritual traveler. God has placed all the honor of his name behind the “I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.” (2)

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