Thank You, LORD, for helping us through another week. Good Friday morning, my brother!Read Psalm 138. Selah.
David begins this psalm by praising God. But this is not just your average, one each, off the shelf praise. No, David boldly opens by proclaiming he will praise God “with my whole heart”; and that He will sing praises to God “before the gods (little g)”. That is, David says he will praise God with his entire being and without regard to who is watching. The psalm’s opening declaration of audacious praise is reminiscent of David’s actions in II Samuel 6 when the ark of God was brought to Jerusalem: “Now as the ark of the LORD came into the City of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.”. When Michal confronted David about his celebratory actions, he responded “And I will be even more undignified than this”. Let us all take a page out of David’s book – by praising the LORD with our whole heart; with abandon; without distractions or giving regard to who is watching!
As you read today’s scripture, pay particular attention to the overall structure of this psalm – it actually provides us with answers on why the LORD is deserving of all of our praises:
The LORD is worthy of praise simply because of who He is.
The LORD is worthy of praise when His word is heard and His ways are demonstrated.
The LORD is worthy of praise because of what He has done for each of us.
And here are a couple of noteworthy revelations contained in this psalm:
vv 2 – “For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.”. The LORD has placed His word above even His name! He is truth! This statement is worthy of our reflection.
vv 8 – “The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;”. Let each of us take ownership of the amazing promise given in this verse. We can walk in complete boldness, knowing that the LORD will deal with “that which concerns me” – the big things, the little things, all of our concerns!
Praise You, LORD, because You are worthy! Praise You, LORD, because Your word is truth! Praise You, LORD, because of all You have done for me! LORD, I praise You today and I praise You always with my whole heart! Amen!
