Psalm 138:2 - I Will Give You Thanks with All My Heart

I bow down toward Your holy temple
This phrase reflects the practice of worship and reverence towards God's dwelling place, which in the time of David, was the tabernacle, and later, the temple in Jerusalem. Bowing down signifies humility and submission to God's authority. The temple was considered the earthly dwelling place of God, symbolizing His presence among His people. This act of bowing towards the temple also connects to Daniel 6:10, where Daniel prays facing Jerusalem, showing a continued reverence for the holy city and God's presence.

and give thanks to Your name
Giving thanks to God's name emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God's character and attributes. In Hebrew culture, a name was more than just an identifier; it represented the essence and nature of a person. God's name encompasses His holiness, power, and covenant faithfulness. This act of thanksgiving is a response to God's revealed character and His deeds, as seen throughout the Psalms.

for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness
These attributes of God are central to His covenant relationship with His people. "Loving devotion" (often translated as "steadfast love" or "mercy") is the Hebrew word "chesed," which denotes God's loyal love and kindness. "Faithfulness" refers to God's reliability and trustworthiness in fulfilling His promises. These qualities are celebrated throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the context of God's covenant with Israel, as seen in Exodus 34:6-7.

You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else
This phrase highlights the supreme authority and honor given to God's name and His word. God's name represents His identity and reputation, while His word signifies His commands, promises, and revelation. The exaltation of both indicates their ultimate importance and reliability. This is echoed in Psalm 119:89, where God's word is described as eternal and unchanging. The phrase also points to the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh (John 1:14), embodying God's ultimate revelation and authority.

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of this psalm, David is expressing his personal devotion and gratitude to God.

2. Holy Temple
Refers to the sacred place of worship in Jerusalem, symbolizing God's presence among His people.

3. God's Name
Represents God's character and reputation, which is worthy of praise and reverence.

4. God's Word
Refers to the Scriptures and God's promises, which are held in the highest regard.

5. Loving Devotion and Faithfulness
Attributes of God that are central to His relationship with His people, emphasizing His steadfast love and reliability.

Teaching Points

Reverence in Worship
Bowing toward the holy temple signifies a posture of humility and reverence. In our worship, we should approach God with a heart of submission and awe.

Thankfulness for God's Attributes
Recognize and give thanks for God's loving devotion and faithfulness. Reflect on how these attributes have been evident in your life.

The Supremacy of God's Name and Word
God's name and word are exalted above all else. This calls us to prioritize His word in our lives and to honor His name in our actions and speech.

Consistency in God's Character
God's loving devotion and faithfulness are consistent and reliable. Trust in His unchanging nature, especially in times of uncertainty.

Living Out God's Word
As God's word is exalted, we are called to live according to its teachings. Let it guide your decisions and shape your character.

(2) Notice that "loving-kindness" and "truth" are joined as inseparable attributes of Jehovah in His relation to the chosen race.

For thou hast magnified--i.e., the promise made for help and deliverance has been fulfilled, and more than fulfilled. The psalmist often speaks of Jehovah's name, or reputation, or honour being at stake. Here the poet can say that the praise won is even beyond what might have been expected. It is true this would have been expressed more in accordance with our expectation by "Thou hast magnified Thy Name above Thy promise;" but comp. Psalm 48:10 for a similar thought, and for the language comp. Tennyson's:

"I am "become a name."

The LXX. and Vulg. felt the difficulty too great, and render "Thy holy one," instead of "Thy word."

Verse 2. - I will worship toward thy holy temple. The term "temple" here must designate the tabernacle (comp. Psalm 5:8). And praise thy Name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth. "Mercy" and "truth" are God's two highest attributes (Exodus 34:6). They were especially shown to Israel in God's promises and his fidelity to them. For thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name. Some would amend the text, and read אמתך, "thy truth," for, אמרתך "thy Word." But if we keep the text, and understand אמרתך as "thy promises," the sense will not be very different. God has magnified his promise, and his faithfulness to it, above all his other revealed attributes. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

I will bow down
אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֨ה (’eš·ta·ḥă·weh)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

toward
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Your holy
קָדְשְׁךָ֡ (qāḏ·šə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

temple
הֵיכַ֪ל (hê·ḵal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple

and give thanks
וְא֘וֹדֶ֤ה (wə·’ō·w·ḏeh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular
Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan

to Your name
שְׁמֶ֗ךָ (šə·me·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Your loving devotion
חַסְדְּךָ֥ (ḥas·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

and
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Your faithfulness;
אֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ (’ă·mit·te·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

You
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

have exalted
הִגְדַּ֥לְתָּ (hiḡ·dal·tā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

Your name
שִׁ֝מְךָ֗ (mə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

and Your word
אִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃ (’im·rā·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 565: Utterance, speech, word

above
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

all else.
כָּל־ (kā·lō·ši-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Links

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Psalm 138:2 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Psalm 138:2 I will bow down toward your holy (Psalm Ps Psa.)