WITH ALL MY HEART
Opening Prayer
Think of one aspect of God’s character that you are truly grateful for. Tell him why.
Read Psalm 138
1 I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2 I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name
for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
that it surpasses your fame.
3 When I called, you answered me;
you greatly emboldened me.
4 May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord,
when they hear what you have decreed.
5 May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
for the glory of the Lord is great.
6 Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly;
though lofty, he sees them from afar.
7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life.
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes;
with your right hand you save me.
8 The Lord will vindicate me;
your love, Lord, endures forever—
do not abandon the works of your hands.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Think back on what God has done for you; can these remembrances help to carry you through future trials?This psalm rings with wholehearted joy for God. There is a certainty about who God is and what he is like (2,5,6), which is based on the psalmist’s personal experience of God (3,7,8). This joy is explosive—David can’t keep it to himself; it erupts in public expressions of praise and devotion (1,2).
It is natural and fitting when God answers our prayers to praise him for his love and care (1–3). I wonder whether we remember God’s love and mercy with such certainty and joy, as the psalmist does here, when we “walk in the midst of trouble” (7). Very often troubles we face now can make us anxious about the future. David, however, focused his whole attention on God rather than his current problems. Look at all the phrases beginning “you” or “your.” As he remembered God’s character from past events (1–3), he reminded himself of God’s involvement in the present (6,7), and that gave him hope for the future (8).
Apply
Make God your focus today. Think about his character, and remember what he has done. Use a hymn or song of praise to help you worship.
Closing prayer
Use verses 4 and 5 to pray for God’s glory to be known more widely.
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