September 16, 2023 — Psalm 138

“I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise; I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything. On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul. All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O LORD, for they have heard the words of your mouth. They shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD. For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”

“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies.”  Psalm 138 is a song of thanksgiving even when we are in the midst of trouble. It begins with the basic plea of thanks: “I give you thanks, Lord with my whole heart” while we learn that the singer has little to give thanks for. Rather than complain, the singer offers this song after bowing down in worship toward the temple, holy because it is the place of the Presence of G-d.

Psalm 138 is then, a reminder that we not only give G-d thanks in the midst of good, but we also, like Job, thank G-d when we are in trouble, when we are in sorrow, and when we are struggling. It reminds us that salvation comes to us not only as individuals but also in community, a community of believers who are also seeking G-d’s presence, in times of good and times of struggle.  

For those who truly know that “The LORD will fulfill his purpose…; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever”, the reality of the promise of salvation requires a life of trust and prayer. Life with all its dangers, trials and temptations will continue for the redeemed; G-d’s salvation gives us reason to hope that what G-d has begun, through Jesus Christ, will surely be brought to completion.

Let us Pray:

Compassionate God, you look with favor upon the lowly. Keep us safe in the midst of trouble, make known your love in our words and deeds, and bring us to new life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

Amen.

Pastor Dave