This psalm was written by David, and most commentators believe it was written sometime after the Babylonian exile.
Although the headings aren’t inspired by God, they are important because they give us some understanding of the Psalm, and they help us to see why it was written. The headings usually tell us four things.
1. Who wrote them, probably wrote them, or possibly wrote them.
2. Information about the historical background to the Psalm. Why was it written?
3. They tell us of the tune the Psalm was written to.
4. How it was used.
The heading simply tells us that this is a psalm of David. Psalms 138-145 are all accredited to David.
David begins by proclaiming that he will praise the LORD with all his heart, Psalm 138:1, that is, with everything he’s got, Psalm 9:1. These are the words of a man who has totally given themselves over to the total worship of God, John 4:24.
Although it would be difficult to understand why David would sing God’s praises before the ‘gods’, Psalm 138:1, he could be referring to those who had created gods after their own image, or to those who had set themselves up as gods among men.
David says he will bow down toward God’s holy temple, Psalm 138:2, that is, he would bow down and pray facing the temple of God, 2 Chronicles 6:20 / Psalm 5:7 / Daniel 6:10. Since David wasn’t around to see the temple, this leads some to think that it was written by someone else or that David is referring to the tabernacle.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘In this passage, it undoubtedly refers to the tabernacle.’
There are some writers who take the word ‘temple’, Psalms 138:2, as a reference to that of Solomon. To the Jews, the temple was the representation of God among His people, Israel, in their promised land, and so, in their worship, they paid homage to God, as well as maintained their nationalism by praying toward the temple in Jerusalem.
David will praise God for His unfailing love and faithfulness, Psalm 138:2, that is, love and faithfulness were what David focused on when he praised God. God’s love and faithfulness are exalted and surpass His fame by His decree, Psalm 138:2, that is, in and through His word, Isaiah 42:21 / Psalm 19:1-14.
The Name and word of God are inseparable. Jesus came in the name of God, but was the revealed word of God, John 1:1-14. In other words, with the Name of God comes His word, both of which are exalted above all things.
David could praise God because when he cried out to God, He answered him, and when God answered his prayer, God blessed him with boldness and strength, Psalm 138:3.
Although David was a king, he looked forward to the time when all the kings of the earth would praise the LORD, after hearing God’s word being proclaimed, Psalm 138:4 / Psalm 68:31-32 / Isaiah 49:23.
Those same kings would also sing the ways of the LORD when we come to understand the greatness of God’s glory, Psalm 138:5. Although God is great and exalted, He still has a special place for those who are lowly, Psalm 138:6.
It’s God’s nature and it should be the nature of His children to be concerned about the lowly in society, Proverbs 3:34 / James 4:6 / 1 Peter 5:5. The lofty, Psalm 138:6, that is, the proud, are those who have no regard for the lowly, it’s those people whom God sees from afar, Psalm 138:6.
Because of the greatness of God and His concern for the lowly in society, David was confident that God would preserve his life, despite the troubles he faced, Psalm 138:7.
He was confident that God would save him with His right hand from his angry foes, Psalm 138:7. In other words, he was confident that God would not only help him through his troubles but sustain his life.
David is also confident that the LORD will vindicate him, Psalm 138:8, that is, God has plans for David, Philemon 1:6. Because God’s love endures forever, David appeals to that love and asks God not to abandon the works of His hands, Psalm 138:8. In other words, it was God who created David and He would abandon him in the midst of his troubles, Hebrews 13:5.
David began this psalm by declaring that he would praise the LORD with all of his heart, Psalm 138:1. It should be the desire of all Christians to praise the LORD wholeheartedly, but how can we do that?
1. To praise the LORD wholeheartedly, we need to love Him with everything we’ve got, Luke 10:27.
2. To praise the LORD wholeheartedly, we need to give Him our undivided attention, Matthew 6:24.
3. To praise the LORD wholeheartedly, we need to be obedient to His commands, 1 John 5:3.
4. To praise the LORD wholeheartedly, we need to concentrate on Christ and Christ alone, Hebrews 12:2.