Catholic Commentary on Psalm 138

"Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life." (Psalm 138:7)

A Thankful Heart

Psalm 138, the first of the final Davidic collection in the Psalter, opens with a bold act of praise: I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; before the gods I will sing your praise. The phrase before the gods refers to the divine assembly, the heavenly court: the psalmist praises the LORD in the presence of all other spiritual powers, making an implicit comparison and a public claim. The kings of the earth will praise the LORD when they hear the words of his mouth; they will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.

The theological centrepiece is a paradox: Though the LORD is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar. The most exalted Being in existence is also the one most attentive to the lowly. This is not a contradiction. It is the consistent testimony of the whole Bible and finds its fullest expression in the Incarnation, where the Eternal One becomes an infant in a manger. The psalm closes with a declaration of personal confidence: though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. Your right hand saves me. You will fulfil your purpose for me. The Catechism calls this confidence the fruit of prayer that has become trusting surrender (CCC 2734).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, you will fulfil your purpose for me. That is the confidence of Psalm 138. Not I will achieve my purpose, but you will fulfil yours. There is a purpose for your life that belongs to God, not to you. He will fulfil it. Your task is not to figure out the whole plan but to walk faithfully through the midst of trouble while he preserves your life and completes what he has begun.

Prayer

Lord God, I praise you with all my heart. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. Your right hand saves me. Fulfil your purpose for me, for your love endures forever. Do not abandon the works of your hands. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

138
A Thankful Heart
Of David.
 
1 I give You thanks with all my heart;
before the gods I sing Your praises.
2 I bow down toward Your holy temple
and give thanks to Your name
for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness;
You have exalted Your name
and Your word above all else.
3 On the day I called, You answered me;
You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.* 138:3 Or You emboldened me with strength in my soul
 
4 All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, O LORD,
when they hear the words of Your mouth.
5 They will sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great.
6 Though the LORD is on high,
He attends to the lowly;
but the proud He knows from afar.
 
7 If I walk in the midst of trouble,
You preserve me from the anger of my foes;
You extend Your hand,
and Your right hand saves me.
8 The LORD will fulfill
His purpose for me.
 
O LORD, Your loving devotion endures forever—
do not abandon the works of Your hands.

*138:3 138:3 Or You emboldened me with strength in my soul

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