Scripture Text (NRSV)

Psalm 138
 

138:8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

Comments:

Attributed to King David, this song of praise tells of God's steadfast love that delivers the weak and weary. In verse 7, David's words are reminiscent of Psalm 23. Even in difficult times, David leaned on God's steadfast love.

In this Psalm, the author started out with thanksgiving (v.1-2) because of a specific instance of God answering his call (v.3, also noted "strength of soul", not just regular physical strength). From there, the Psalmist predicted the future exaltation of God among the nations based on 1) God's words are being heard and 2) the nature of God's glory (v.4-5). I have problem fitting verse 6 into any progression of thought, it could be seen as a reason for God's glory, or for the praise lifted up to God (perhaps the later, also notice the double-edge of both love and judgement in God's character here). But back to the presence, the Psalmist regconized the trouble reality that he's still in, but he can trust God because of his past experience (in v.3), and therefore he has confident in God's plan for his future.

May the Lord will fulfill His purpose for me, too.

Coho, Midway City

I would love to preach on this Psalm! It really is beautiful. But if feels more of a prayer...what is there to say? Wouldn't it be great to have a quiet time of reflection with joy and thanksgiving using this Psalm - rather than preaching. there is no more to say.

If this was a psalm from David, why the use of plural gods? This always marks for me an earlier theology of the Israelites. If not, i there still a need to see Yahweh in competitions with Baal, Molech, etc? I think this Psalm could be used with the Isaiah passage.

Shalom

bammamma

Perry From Kitchener/Waterloo here. OK, I'm writing this as a response to the 'challenge' framed in the progression of the above postings regarding (more or less)"... who preaches on the Psalm?...what or how does one preach on this?...etc." so, as I've been challenged to throw my hat in here, here goes:

-I get the feeling this psalm (like most!) is really missional! What better place for the kings and rulers -people distant and near- to hear of God's Word and Wonder (v.4) than from the missional 'song' of the psalmest (v.1)? I read into/out of this psalm a sense of cause and effect; even as the one of faith recounts God's goodness and chooses to sing of it, it is in such songs and proclamations that both lowly and highly ones are given ears to hear of this same Goodness and then also to find a song to sing of thier own.

MIght it then be pondered that if I refuse to hear and sing of God's goodness in my experience, then I also remove myself from the progression of that song's passing onto those above and beyond me??? If I dare to affirm that God will fulfill a purpose in me (v.8); to ask that the Lord remain active in me-the work of holy hands- then mine is the song to sing first as witness to God in my life and then as a song to share with others who's life might also take to melody.

Yep! I think I might just preach this Psalm as a life's-prayer for God's children.

Perry from Kitchener/Waterloo

I am going to concentrate on the 3rd verse :On the day I called, you answered me." It seems the more intune I am with God the more God presents God's prensence to me. Lately I have preached on baptism as God adopting us into the family of believers; God giving us all the sprititual gifts we need and how we are to use them in love (1 Cor. 12-13). Now in the 8th verse the pslamist uses the word "purpose" which three of the adult Sunday School classes have been reading The Purpose Driven Life. Amazing how there is a connection to everything. Haven't figured it all out yet but that is where I am heading, any ideas? CRP

before "the host of heaven" I sing your praise? I'm not sure. Is this transated from Yahweh, or Elohim?

Shalom

Bammamma

John Hall from this site writes: "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."

Shalom

bammamma

Scripture seems to fairly frequently affirm the existence of "gods" -- as idols, lesser powers, or as sometimes translated "the host of heaven". The affirmation is always that there is one God, for whom there is no equal.

As for how to preach from this Psalm -- what about considering the reasons the psalmist has to give thanks to God. Among the reasons given in the verses are "your steadfast love and your faithfulness", "you answered me", "you increased my strength of soul", "he regards the lowly", "you preserve my against the wrath of my enemies", "your right hand delivers me", "The Lord will fulfill his purpose", and "our steadfast love endures forever." That's more images than I could fit into a sermon, if it included any examples at all. The charge becomes "How is the Lord active in your life, and do others know what you know about that active presence in your life?"

Alan Selig