Psalm 138 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 138 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise;
Verse 2I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.
Verse 3On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.
Verse 4All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth.
Verse 5They shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord.
Verse 6For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.
Verse 7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.
Verse 8The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
Devotion
Full-throated and full-hearted, the psalmist cannot help but announce the faithful goodness of God. As we sing these words we, too, cannot help but exclaim and proclaim God's steadfast loving-kindness to us and to all peoples. God's word accomplishes that which it purposes after all (Isaiah 55:11). As we sing with the psalmist we become part of the song: "In the holy places we sing! Before the mighty we pray!" "God's arm is strong!" we declare before rulers, the rich, and the powerful. "God is mighty and cares for the lowly!" we say before all peoples. We cry aloud so as to make certain God, too, hears our proclamation even in the midst of trouble:"Your steadfast loving-kindness, O Lord, endures forever! You made us, O God. You have brought us here. Do not abandon the works of your hands."
Prayer
Make good your purposes for us, O God. We trust in you. Amen.