Psalms

Psalms 138: The high LORD answers the lowly

Begin in prayer

Before David thanks the high Lord who looks after the lowly, let us bring God the pride that resists His care. Ask Him to lead us to Jesus and strengthen humble trust through trouble.

“Therefore Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, ‘I said indeed that your house, and the house of your father, should walk before me forever.’ But now Yahweh says, ‘Far be it from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me will be lightly esteemed.

1 Samuel 2:30

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that the high Lord answers the lowly and fulfills His purpose through lasting loving kindness. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David gives wholehearted thanks and sings praise before the gods. Bowing toward God's holy temple, he thanks Him for loving kindness and truth, and for exalting His Name and Word above all. God answered his call and strengthened his soul. Earth's kings will thank God because they have heard His words, and they will sing His ways because His glory is great. Though high, the Lord looks after the lowly and knows the proud from afar. David trusts His saving hand through trouble and His lasting kindness to fulfill what concerns him, while asking Him not to forsake His handiwork.

As you read Psalms 138, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The high LORD answers the lowly, strengthens His servant and fulfills His purpose through loving kindness that endures forever.

David's whole heart answers the Lord whose loving kindness and truth have been made known to him. He bows toward the temple and confesses God's Name and Word exalted above all. The answered cry gave strength within his soul, bringing God's care into a life still facing trouble. Kings will thank God because they have heard His words, so this personal thanksgiving opens toward the whole earth. God's height does not keep Him from looking after the lowly. His distant knowledge of the proud gives humility a serious place beside the song's confidence. David expects God's right hand to save him from his enemies' wrath and His purpose to be fulfilled. The final request against forsaking His handiwork keeps that confident servant asking for the kindness that lasts forever.

How does Psalm 138 show us that the high LORD answers the lowly, strengthens His servant and fulfills His purpose through loving kindness that endures forever?

The LORD's truthful answer gives His servant strength and wholehearted thanks.

David bows toward God's holy temple and gives thanks for loving kindness and truth. The Lord answered when he called. Strength in his soul gives remembered mercy a present voice of praise.

The high LORD cares for the lowly and deserves every king's praise.

Earth's kings have heard God's words and will sing His ways because His glory is great. The high Lord looks after the lowly. He knows the proud from afar, so His greatness calls for humility.

The LORD's lasting loving kindness sustains His saving purpose through trouble.

David expects God's hand to act against his enemies' wrath. The Lord will fulfill what concerns him. He asks God not to forsake His handiwork, resting his plea upon kindness that endures forever.

Memorise

For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but the proud, he knows from afar.

Psalm 138:6

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where does my pride keep me from humbly seeking the Lord Jesus?

David says, “Though I walk in the middle of trouble, you will revive me.” The high Lord cares for the lowly and strengthens the calling servant. Lasting kindness sustains his confidence while he still asks for help.

Our pride has resisted that good Lord and left us guilty before Him. Jesus offered His own life for His people, answering their pride under God's judgment to secure their welcome before Him. The Father raised Him from death. His completed obedience and sacrifice have fully answered their guilt and secured their forgiveness, leaving no saving work for them to supply.

Turn from your pride and trust the Lord Jesus. Whoever comes to Him receives pardon through His finished work. Ask Him for humility to receive His words and strength to obey through trouble. The high LORD answers the lowly, and His servants trust Him to finish what He has begun.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the high Lord answers the lowly and fulfills His purpose through lasting loving kindness. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His truthful answer, care for the lowly and lasting purpose through trouble. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk.”

John 5:8

High and gracious Lord, please forgive our pride and bring us to Jesus for the pardon His sacrifice has secured. Thank You for hearing the humble and strengthening the troubled soul. Teach our children to receive Your Word with trust. Keep Your people through their enemies' anger and fulfill Your good purpose as we depend on Your lasting kindness. Amen.