Psalms 138–8
Psalm 138:1-8
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Psa.138.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אודך: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- נגד: PREP
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אזמרך: VERB,qal,impf,1,c,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 9:1 (verbal): Uses the same declaration of wholehearted thanksgiving: “I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,” closely mirroring the language and intent of Ps 138:1.
- Psalm 86:12 (verbal): “I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart,” nearly identical verbal expression of full‑hearted praise and thanksgiving.
- Psalm 111:1 (verbal): Repeats the formula of praising God with the whole heart (“I will praise the LORD with my whole heart”), adding the communal/assembly setting found elsewhere in the Psalter.
- Psalm 103:1 (thematic): Appeals to the same theme of inner, comprehensive praise—“Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name”—emphasizing the totality of devotion expressed in Ps 138:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- To David. I give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing praise to you.
- To David. I will give you thanks with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing your praise.
Psa.138.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אשתחוה: VERB,hithpael,impf,1,sg
- אל: NEG
- היכל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קדשך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,ms
- ואודה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שמך: NOUN,m,sg,cs,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- חסדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- אמתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- הגדלת: NOUN,f,pl,def
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- שמך: NOUN,m,sg,cs,2,m,sg
- אמרתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2f
Parallels
- Psalm 138:1 (structural): Immediate context—continues the psalmist’s praise and thanksgiving to God’s name, linking wholehearted praise with bowing and giving thanks.
- Daniel 6:10–11 (thematic): Daniel prays and gives thanks while bowing toward Jerusalem; parallels the motif of bowing toward the holy place and giving thanks to God’s name.
- 1 Chronicles 16:8,34 (thematic): David’s thanksgiving liturgy calls to ‘give thanks, proclaim his name’ and celebrates the LORD’s enduring steadfast love—echoes the psalm’s gratitude for God’s hesed and faithfulness.
- Psalm 89:1 (verbal): Declares intent to sing of the LORD’s steadfast love and to make known his faithfulness—language parallels חֶסֶד וְאֱמֶת (steadfast love and faithfulness) in Ps 138:2.
- Isaiah 12:4 (thematic): Calls to ‘give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name’ and to make known that his name is exalted—resonates with Ps 138:2’s thanksgiving to God’s name and the exaltation of the Lord’s reputation/word.
Alternative generated candidates
- I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and for your faithfulness; for you have magnified your word above all your name.
- I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name—for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have magnified, above all, your name and your word.
Psa.138.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ביום: PREP
- קראתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ותענני: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- תרהבני: VERB,qal,impf,2,_,sg
- בנפשי: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:1,sg
- עז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 118:5 (verbal): Uses the same root רחב/רהב (’to make wide/large’) and the motif of calling in distress and God answering—'In my anguish I called to the LORD; he answered me and made me large.'
- Psalm 18:6 (18:7 MT) (verbal): Similar call-and-answer formula: 'In my distress I called to the LORD... He heard my voice,' emphasizing God's responsive help when the psalmist cries.
- Psalm 34:4 (thematic): 'I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears'—parallel theme of calling God and receiving deliverance/relief of soul.
- Psalm 86:7 (thematic): 'In the day of my trouble I call to you, for you will answer me'—another psalmic assertion of confident calling and divine answering.
- Psalm 73:26 (thematic): 'My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart'—relates to 138:3's language of God strengthening and making bold the psalmist's soul.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the day I called you answered me; you made me bold— you strengthened the core of my life.
- On the day I called you answered me; you made me bold, you strengthened my soul.
Psa.138.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- יודוך: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- אמרי: VERB,qal,impv,2,f,sg
- פיך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
Parallels
- Ps.22:27-28 (thematic): Both depict a universal response: all the nations/families of the earth bow to or worship the LORD—kings and peoples acknowledging God's rule when his word/authority is known.
- Ps.72:11 (thematic): Speaks of all kings bowing and all nations serving the king (Messianic king), paralleling the image of earthly rulers praising God.
- Ps.102:15 (thematic): Declares that the nations will fear the name of the LORD and all the kings will acknowledge his glory, closely echoing the motif of kings praising God after hearing/about him.
- Isa.45:23 (allusion): God’s declaration that every knee will bow and every tongue swear to him connects the universal submission of rulers and peoples to the idea that hearing God’s word leads nations to acknowledge and praise him.
Alternative generated candidates
- They will thank you, O LORD—all the kings of the earth— for they have heard the words of your mouth.
- All the kings of the earth shall praise you, LORD, when they hear the words of your mouth.
Psa.138.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישירו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בדרכי: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cstr+1s
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- כבוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 66:2 (verbal): Both verses call for singing/praising God and specifically link that singing to the glory/honor of God's name, a close verbal parallel (sing + glory/honor).
- Psalm 96:3 (thematic): Both urge proclamation of the LORD's ways/works and his glory to the nations; theme of declaring God's works and glory publicly.
- Psalm 145:4 (thematic): Emphasizes passing on praise of God's works and declaring his mighty acts from one generation to another, echoing the communal/commemorative aspect of singing the LORD's ways.
- Isaiah 12:5 (verbal): An explicit call to sing because of the LORD's excellent deeds—parallels the motive for singing in Psalm 138:5 (singing because of God's greatness/glory).
- Revelation 15:3 (allusion): New Testament echo that pairs 'great/marvelous are thy works' with 'thy ways,' closely reflecting Psalm 138:5's linkage of the LORD's ways and his greatness/glory.
Alternative generated candidates
- They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.
- They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.
Psa.138.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- רם: ADJ,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ושפל: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- יראה: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- וגבה: CONJ+VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- ממרחק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יידע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 113:5-6 (verbal): Both depict the LORD as exalted on high yet looking down to lift or regard the lowly and needy—close verbal and thematic correspondence.
- Isaiah 57:15 (thematic): Contrasts God's exalted, lofty dwelling with his nearness to the contrite and lowly in spirit, echoing 'high yet regards the lowly.'
- Proverbs 3:34 (verbal): Affirms the divine disposition toward the proud versus the humble—'he mocks the mockers but gives grace to the humble,' linguistically and theologically parallel.
- James 4:6 (thematic): New Testament mirror of the theme: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, reflecting Psalm's contrast between God's height and his regard for the lowly.
- Luke 1:52 (thematic): Mary's Magnificat—'he has brought down the mighty... and exalted those of humble estate'—expresses the same reversal between the exalted and the lowly found in Ps 138:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- For though the LORD is exalted, he regards the lowly; the proud he knows from afar.
- For though the LORD is exalted, he regards the lowly; the proud he knows from afar.
Psa.138.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אם: CONJ
- אלך: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- בקרב: PREP
- צרה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תחיני: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- אף: ADV
- איבי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss=1s
- תשלח: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- ותושיעני: VERB,hiph,impf,2,m,sg
- ימינך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 23:4 (thematic): Both verses speak of walking through danger/trouble with God's presence and protection—'though I walk... you are with me' parallels 'if I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me.'
- Psalm 18:35 (verbal): Uses the motif of God's right hand supporting/delivering the psalmist ('your right hand supported me'), closely echoing 138:7's 'your right hand delivers me.'
- Exodus 15:6 (verbal): The Exodus victory-song applies the image of God's right hand striking/shattering enemies—paralleling 138:7's language of God stretching out his hand against the wrath of foes.
- Psalm 40:2 (thematic): Speaks of God lifting the speaker out of a perilous situation and establishing him, resonating with 138:7's promise 'you will revive me' and deliverance from trouble.
- Psalm 46:1 (thematic): Declares God as a present help in trouble—a general theme of divine rescue and protection that underlies Psalm 138:7's confidence in God amid enemies.
Alternative generated candidates
- If I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me; against the surge of my foes you stretch out your hand, and your right hand will save me.
- If I walk amid trouble you preserve me; against the fury of my enemies you stretch out your hand and save me—your right hand brings deliverance.
Psa.138.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יגמר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בעדי: PREP+1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- חסדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעשי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- ידיך: NOUN,f,pl,cs,2ms
- אל: NEG
- תרף: VERB,qal,juss,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 136:1 (verbal): Refrain formula 'for his mercy/enduring love endures forever' echoes the phrase 'יהוה חסדך לעולם' (thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever).
- Psalm 100:5 (verbal): Similar wording and theme: 'the LORD is good... his mercy endureth for ever'—affirmation of God's enduring steadfast love.
- Deuteronomy 4:31 (allusion): Promises God's compassion and that he will not long forget or abandon Israel—parallels the petition 'do not forsake the works of thine own hands.'
- Philippians 1:6 (thematic): New Testament parallel: 'He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion' echoes 'the LORD will perfect that which concerneth me.'
- Hebrews 13:5 (quotation): Promise 'I will never leave you nor forsake you' corresponds to the plea that God not abandon the works of his hands, reinforcing God's faithfulness to his people.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; O LORD, your steadfast love endures forever— do not abandon the work of your hands.
- The LORD will complete what concerns me; LORD, your steadfast love endures forever—do not forsake the work of your hands.
Of David. I will give you thanks with all my heart; before the gods I will sing praise to you.
I bow toward your holy temple; I will praise your name for your steadfast love and for your faithfulness, for you have exalted your word above all your name.
On the day I called you answered me; you made me bold and strengthened my soul.
All the kings of the earth will give thanks to you, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth.
They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.
For the LORD is exalted, yet he regards the lowly; the proud he knows from afar.
If I walk amid trouble you will revive me; against the rage of my enemies you will stretch out your hand; your right hand will deliver me.
The LORD will perfect what concerns me. O LORD, your steadfast love endures forever; do not abandon the work of your hands.