THE LORD WILL FULFILL HIS PURPOSE FOR ME

Passage: Psalms 138:1-8

Key verse: 138:8

NIV

Psalm 138
Of David.

1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
    before the “gods”(A) I will sing(B) your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple(C)
    and will praise your name(D)
    for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,(E)
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
    that it surpasses your fame.(F)
3 When I called,(G) you answered me;(H)
    you greatly emboldened(I) me.

4 May all the kings of the earth(J) praise you, Lord,
    when they hear what you have decreed.
5 May they sing(K) of the ways of the Lord,
    for the glory of the Lord(L) is great.

6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;(M)
    though lofty, he sees them(N) from afar.
7 Though I walk(O) in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life.(P)
You stretch out your hand(Q) against the anger of my foes;(R)
    with your right hand(S) you save me.(T)
8 The Lord will vindicate(U) me;
    your love, Lord, endures forever(V)—
    do not abandon(W) the works of your hands.(X)

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Give Thanks to the Lord

Of David.

138 (A)I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before (B)the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down (C)toward your (D)holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.[a]
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.[b]

4 (E)All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth,
5 and they shall sing of (F)the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 (G)For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
    but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 (H)Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you (I)preserve my life;
you (J)stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your (K)right hand delivers me.
8 The Lord will (L)fulfill his purpose for me;
    (M)your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake (N)the work of your hands.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Psalm 138:2 Or you have exalted your word above all your name
  2. Psalm 138:3 Hebrew you made me bold in my soul with strength
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

First, you have exalted your name and word (1-5). David knew God's heart. God exalts his name and his word above all things. God's name represents God himself. David worshiped God; he praised him for his love and faithfulness. He exalted God's word by obeying it. When he called to God in prayer, God answered and made him stouthearted and bold to serve God and obey him. Second, you will fulfill your purpose for me (6-8). David was a conquering hero, and finally, a king, but he walked humbly before God. God dwells on high, but he extends his hand to help those with humble hearts. When we walk in the midst of trouble, God preserves our lives. God saves us so that he can use us. The Sovereign God has a purpose for our lives, and he will surely fulfill his purpose. He saved me from sin and death so that he could use me in his great world salvation plan.

Prayer: Lord, help me to walk humbly before you, trusting your protecting hand and ready to do your will.

One Word: God will fulfill his purpose