Theological Commentary: Click Here
Psalm 138
sings the praises of the Lord. He is
gracious to us. He is our
provision. He is our shelter. He answers us when we call to Him. He gives us purpose. He and His love endures.
We have
reason to praise Him. He does all of
these things for us, especially when we are undeserving. He is exalted above all other things. There is a reason that we gather to praise
Him instead of other things. He is most
deserving of our attention, our praise, and our focus.
This is what
makes Psalm 138 a neat psalm. Clearly
this psalm is written in the time that the Hebrew people are in exile under
Babylon. Here the people have been puled
away from their promise because of their lack of faithfulness. They understand consequences perhaps like no
other generation of Hebrew people before or after them. They are living through the time of their
punishment.
In spite of
this, the psalmist does not reject God.
In fact, the psalmist begins by giving praise to God. There is incredible maturity in this
sentiment.
How easy it
would be to harbor anger against God, especially in the midst of
punishment. How many people grow bitter
and angry while being chastised! Not
this psalmist. He mourns for what is
not. He mourns for what could be. Yet he gives praise for what is. God has not abandoned them; He is simply chastising
them!
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