EXPANDING THANKS - The psalmist begins with thanksgiving-a way of beginning that reverberates through the writings of Paul (Phil. 4:6, 1 Thess. 5:16-19). Such thanksgiving expands beyond an individual-even before the gods (or "angels," according to Westermann) and kings will the greatness of God be heard. Thus, from a single mouth praise moves into an ever-widening circle.

SOVEREIGN OF ALL THE EARTH - Psalm 138 reveres God as the One who rules the world full of gods, angels, humans, and kings, for "great is the glory of the LORD" (v 6). Such a profession of an all-sovereign God is quite appropriate for the season of Epiphany. "Like all proclamations of God’s rule, Psalm 138 calls us to decision. It invites us to join the psalmist and the kings of the earth in praising God and offering ourselves to God with our "whole heart" (v 1). [1]

PLUTARCH - The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart.
MEISTER ECKHART - The most important prayer in the world is just two words long: "Thank you." [2]

 

Richard Foster writes: Jesus was the ultimate grateful person. The signature written across his life was the prayer, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth" (Luke 10:21). Paul, too, knew the spirit of gratitude: "I thank my god through Jesus Christ for all of you" (Ro. 1:8). Certainly the biblical witnesses speak with one voice, urging us to give "thanks to God the father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5:20). [3]

What specific things can you truly give God thanks for on this day? You might find it helpful to make a list at this moment of thanksgivings that you could offer God. After each item, quietly utter, "Thank you, God" - such is the most powerful prayer you can offer.

You might consider using this as a call to worship in the liturgy for the day. You could also incorporate this psalm in a homily on the gospel lesson, since this psalm calls us to a decision to thankfully acknowledge God as our Sovereign.

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[1] Claus Westermann, The Living Psalms (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1989), page 199.
[2] The New Interpreter’s Bible IV (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), page 1233.
[3] Prayer: finding the Heart’s True Home (Harper & Row, 1992), page 84.