Bible Commentaries
Psalms 138

Verse 1

Title. of David = by David. Placed here by Hezekiah, to correspond with H1 , H2 and H4 See p. 826.

praise Thee. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, add "O Jehovah".

heart. Septuagint adds "for Thou hast heard the words of my mouth", probably from Psalms 138:4 .

gods. Hebrew. 'elohim. App-4 . See note on Exodus 22:8 .

Verse 2

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

temple = house or palace. Hebrew. heykal.

name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

magnified: i.e. by fulfilling it beyond all expectation.

word = sayings. Hebrew. 'imrah . See App-73 .

name. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

Verse 3

strengthenedst = encouraged, or emboldened.

my soul = myself (emphatic). Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 4

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

they hear = they have heard.

Verse 5

in: or, of.

Verse 6

respect = regard.

Verse 7

revive = make alive, or sustain in life. See note 11 on p. 827.

hand. Some codices, with two early printed editions and Septuagint, read "hands" (plural) Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ).

against. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "Yea, because of".

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.

works. Some codices, with Syriac, read "work" (singular).

To the chief Musician. See App-64 .