Why do we worship God? David wanted to build a temple for this purpose, and in this psalm, he thinks about what he would do there. Now, we might expect him to look forward to taking a victory lap, allowing the glory and grandeur of the Temple to reflect on the might and majesty of his dynasty. After all, powerful people still do that sort of thing, using ribbon-cuttings to form the case for their re-elections and conveniently forgetting that it was their constituents’ money that funded those building projects in the first place. Pride and power naturally go together, don’t they?
How strange, then, that David reminds in us in verse 6 that God prefers the company of the lowly to that of the haughty and proud. How strange that, instead of praising himself, King David sings praises to God (verse 1), and gives God the credit for any boldness he might have demonstrated (verse 3). How strange that David admits that it is God Who is really responsible for everything that goes on in his life (verse 8). None of this sounds very kingly, does it?
Well, it should. For verse 4 reminds us that all the kings and presidents, governors and generalissimos of the earth should have precisely this attitude where it comes to God. Instead of powerful people insisting that everyone obey their words, they should instead look to God’s Word alone to help them make decisions. For it is not only God’s lovingkindness that is everlasting (see Psalm 136) – His Word remains a firm foundation for all of our lives.
Yes, all of us should worship God, and since we don’t have to go to a Temple anymore, we can praise Him wherever we are. After all, it’s still good news that God’s love is so great that He gave His only Son to die for us. It’s still good news that His Word is an infallible rule and guide for our faith and life. So let’s give Him thanks and praise today – for doesn’t He deserve our worship?
Psalm 138 (NASB)
A Psalm of David.
I Will give Thee thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to Thee before the gods.
2 I will bow down toward Thy holy temple, And give thanks to Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth; For Thou hast magnified Thy word according to all Thy name.
3 On the day I called Thou didst answer me; Thou didst make me bold with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to Thee, O LORD, When they have heard the words of Thy mouth.
5 And they will sing of the ways of the LORD. For great is the glory of the LORD.
6 For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly; But the haughty He knows from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me; Thou wilt stretch forth Thy hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Thy right hand will save me.
8 The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Thy hands.
