GOD’S WORD GIVES CONFIDENCE

Passage: Psalms 138:1-8

Key verse: 3

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)

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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.

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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

Unlike other so-called “gods”, who cannot do or say anything, our God has given us his word (his “solemn decree” (2)) so we may know his heart and will. God’s word teaches us his unfailing love and faithfulness. Most of all, he revealed himself in Jesus, the living Word. Because we have God’s word of promise, and because he answers our prayer, we can be confident, even bold (3). We can know his compassion on the lowly (6) and be abundantly comforted in times of trouble (7).

David was in serious trouble when he wrote this Psalm, with powerful and angry foes opposing him (7). But he was determined not to let it stop him from praising God (1). He believed God would not only preserve his life (7), but rebuke his enemies and grant him vindication after his suffering (8). May we also take such a “dose” of confidence from God’s word today, remembering God’s goodness no matter what kind of trouble we are in.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for exalting your word so we may gain confidence in your promise. Help me be confident and bold in Jesus.

One Word: God will answer when I call.