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Psalm 138 English Standard Version (ESV)

Give Thanks to the Lord

Of David.

138 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
  before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your 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.
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
  my strength of soul you increased.

4 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 the ways of the Lord,
  for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
  but the haughty he knows from afar.

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

Reflection

• David called us to focus thoughts of God on his “name”, and his “word”. When we do, we learn to trust his love and faithfulness. And when the word uttered in the name of the Lord, it should stimulate even the kings of the earth to praise him.
• David had personally experienced God’s love and faithfulness as the Lord preserved him in many troubles. What David understood, and we need to appreciate, is that each of us is important to God. His love has made our lives meaningful by linking it to his eternal plan. We may not know now what his purpose in us is. Yet God does have a purpose to fulfill in the lives of each of us. To him, we do count!
• Will you say with David the following verse as your prayer to God?

 “The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”