Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 138:4
All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
4. All the kings of the earth shall give thanks unto thee, Jehovah] When the kings of the nations hear of Jehovah’s promises to Israel and His fulfilment of them, they will join in the Psalmist’s thanksgiving. Cp. Psa 68:29 ff.; Psa 102:15-16.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
4 6. Jehovah’s faithfulness to His promises will evoke the homage of the world.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
All the kings of the earth shall praise thee … – That is, kings, princes, and rulers shall learn the words of promise; shall be made acquainted with the words which thou hast graciously spoken, and with their fulfillment, and shall be led to praise thee. This refers to a time, of which frequent prophetic mention is made in the Scriptures, when kings and rulers shall be converted to the true religion, and when they shall act an important part, by their example and influence, in maintaining and diffusing it. Compare Psa 68:31-32; Isa 49:23.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 4. All the kings of the earth] Of the land: all the neighbouring nations, seeing what is done for us, and looking in vain to find that any human agency was employed in the work, will immediately see that it was thy hand; and consequently, by confessing that it was thou, will give praise to thy name.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Either,
1. All neighbouring kings; or,
2. The generality of kings and princes upon earth. And so this is a prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles, which seems to be confirmed by the next verse, which expresseth their extraordinary joy; and an eminent advancement of Gods glory, which agrees much better to this great occasion, than to that of Davids exaltation to the throne, wherein the other kings of the earth were not much concerned.
The words of thy mouth; either,
1. Thy promises declared unto them by me; or,
2. The gospel preached among them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord,…. Or “let [them] confess”, or “praise thee” s; a wish or prayer. Not only the kings known to David, as Kimchi limits it; or that lived in his days, as Hiram and others; but in the latter day, when they shall come to Zion, the church, and be nursing fathers to it, and shall serve and worship the King Messiah, Isa 49:23;
when they hear the words of thy mouth; either the promises of it fulfilled not only with respect to David; but the Messiah, and his church and people, in the latter day, even the glorious things spoken thereof: or the doctrines of the Gospel, which are the words of his mouth, and more desirable than thousands of gold and silver; and which, when kings shall hear so as to understand, they will praise the Lord for them; see Isa 52:15. The Targum is,
“the words of thy praise.”
s “confiteantur tibi”, V. L. Pagninus, Montanus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
4. Let all kings of the earth praise thee Here he declares that the goodness he had experienced would be extensively known, and the report of it spread over all the world. In saying that even kings had heard the words of God’s mouth, he does not mean to aver that they had been taught in the true religion so as to be prepared for becoming members of the Church, but only that it would be well known everywhere that the reason of his having been preserved in such a wonderful manner was God’s having anointed him king by his commandment. (194) Thus although the neighboring kings reaped no advantage by that divine oracle, the goodness of God was illustrated by its being universally known, by his being called to the throne in an extraordinary manner. Having uniformly during the whole period of Saul’s severe and bloody persecution declared that he raised his standard in God’s name, there could be no doubt that he came to the crown by divine will and commandment. And this was a proof of divine goodness which might draw forth an acknowledgment even from heathen kings.
(194) “ Sed hoc ubique fore notum, non alia de causa mirabiliter servatum fuisse a Deo, nisi quod ejus mandate unctus fuerat in Regem.” — Lat.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(4, 5) The general sense of these verses is plain, though there are slightly different ways of understanding the expressions. The psalmist imagines that the word or promise, which has been so abundantly fulfilled, will, by its performance, convince all the kings of the earth, and bring them in confession and praise to Jehovah. For a Hebrew the expression hear the words of Thy mouth, referring in this instance immediately back to Psa. 138:2, was synonymous with see Thy wonders, since for them God spoke and it was done.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4, 5. The kings of the earth shall praise thee The words give the moral tendency and intent of this wonderful display of divine mercy, and, as a general thing, its ultimate effect namely, to cause the nations to confess and praise Jehovah. A result to be fully realized only in gospel times through the unfoldings of the great gospel word.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Psa 138:4. When they hear Or, For they shall hear.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
DISCOURSE: 731
THE GOSPEL A SOURCE OF HAPPINESS
Psa 138:4-5. All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord, when they hear the words of thy mouth. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord.
IN the Psalms of David, it is often not easy to find out the connexion between the different parts, so as to reduce them to the form of a regular composition. The inspired writer seems on many occasions to have recorded the feelings of his soul without any particular attention to order and method; and sometimes, unconsciously as it were, to have passed from what respected his own personal concerns, to events far distant, relating to the Church of God under the reign of the Messiah. If we suppose the psalm before us to have been written soon after his establishment on the throne of Israel, we may regard the words of my text as expressing the satisfaction which that event would afford to all the surrounding nations, when they should hear of the wonderful events by which it had been accomplished. But it is manifest, that, if that be in any degree the import of his words, it can never comprehend their full meaning. Beyond a doubt, the holy man is led, from the contemplation of the mercies vouchsafed to himself, to speak of those which shall be vouchsafed to the whole world in the millennial age; when all the kings of the earth shall become the monuments of Gods love and mercy, and shall walk joyfully before him in obedience to his will.
From the words thus explained, I will take occasion to shew,
I.
The felicity of the latter day
Here we see,
1.
Of whom the Church will be composed
[Under the Jewish dispensation, it was confined almost exclusively to the descendants of Abraham and the twelve Patriarchs, or, I should rather say, to a very small remnant of them: for they were not all Israel who were of Israel [Note: Rom 9:6.]. And since the Gospel kingdom has been established, the true Israel have been found chiefly amongst the poor, whom God has more especially chosen to be rich in faith, and heirs of his kingdom [Note: Jam 2:5.]. As in the Apostles days, so at this time, not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called [Note: 1Co 1:26.]. But in the millennial age, persons of every rank, and of every nation under heaven, will flock to Christ, even as doves to their windows; as the Psalmist says: All the ends of the earth shall remember themselves, and turn unto the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him [Note: Psa 22:27; Psa 86:9.]. Amongst these, the kings and governors shall bear a most conspicuous place; all of them, instead of being found, as formerly, amongst the persecutors of the Lords people, bringing their glory into the Church [Note: Rev 21:24.], and becoming themselves her nursing-fathers, and their queens her nursing-mothers [Note: Isa 49:22-23.]. Nor shall this obtain amongst a few only: for the kings of Tarshish and of the Isles shall bring presents to our adorable Redeemer; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts unto him; yea, all kings shall fall down before him; and all nations shall serve him [Note: Psa 72:10-11.].]
2.
What will be the frame of their minds
[Little as the praise of our Redeemer is now heard, it will be proclaimed then by all: the praises of our God will resound in every place, and universal joy be diffused amongst the servants of the Lord. The noise, that is now accounted mirth, will cease; and the revellings, which are now regarded as sources and scenes of joy, will be put away as unworthy of the Christian profession. There will then be nobler sources of delight opened to the whole Christian world; and all of every rank will find their chief happiness in the service of their God. This is the testimony of all the inspired writers; who uniformly concur in this, that it will be a season of universal joy; men every where coming with singing unto Zion, and with everlasting joy upon their heads; all of them being filled with joy and gladness; and sorrow and sighing having fled away [Note: Isa 35:10.].]
3.
What discoveries they will have of God
[No wonder their happiness will be so exalted, when God shews forth his glory in the midst of them. Great will then be the glory of the Lord, as displayed in the person, and work, and offices of Christ, and in the manifestations of his love to the souls of men Yes, when the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory [Note: Psa 102:16.]. And great indeed will be the splendour of that day: The moon will be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of Hosts shall reign in Mount Zion, and before his ancients, gloriously [Note: Isa 24:23.].]
Yet let us not imagine that these blessings are so reserved for future ages, as not to be enjoyed in our day. No: we are in reality as much interested in them as men can be at any period of the world: and therefore I call upon you to contemplate,
II.
The felicity which we also are privileged to enjoy
1.
The word which they of the latter day will hear, is preached unto us
[The Gospel was in a measure preached to Abraham [Note: Gal 3:8.]; but how much more to us! By Christ and his holy Apostles God has made known to us his mind and will without reserve; nor have we any reason whatever to think that any addition shall ever be made to the inspired volume. Further light, indeed, will be thrown upon it, by the fulfilment of prophecy; and a more abundant effusion of the Holy Spirit will be vouchsafed to men, for the comprehension of it: but the entire Gospel is vouchsafed to us, as much as it ever will be to them; and, if we pray to God for the teaching of his Holy Spirit, we have no reason to doubt but that we shall be guided into all truth, even as they. Beloved Brethren, you hear of a Saviour, and of all the wonders of redeeming love. The salvation of Christ is set before you, in all its freeness, in all its fulness, in all its suitableness, in all its excellency and glory. The grounds of joy are made known to you, even as they were by the Apostles themselves to those to whom they ministered: so that, in this respect, it may be truly said, that nothing that could be profitable is kept back from you, but that unto you is declared all the counsel of God.]
2.
And have not we the same interest in it as they?
[Yes, surely; and if we have been enlightened by it, we have as much reason for praise and gratitude and joy as ever they can have. Tell me, ye who have been redeemed from death and hell, and that too by the blood of your incarnate God, tell me whether every feeling of your souls should not be swallowed up in joy, and every word of your lips be only praise? It is a shame to the Christian world that religion is at so low an ebb amongst them. Truly, Brethren, the luke-warmness that obtains amongst the professors of the present day is highly discreditable to us, and reflects dishonour on the Gospel itself. Why are we not singing in the ways of the Lord? Why go we not on our way, rejoicing, all the day long? Is it not said of true Christians, that, though they have never seen Christ, yet, believing in him, they rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and full of glory [Note: 1Pe 1:8.]?
I will further add,]
3.
Does not the Lord manifest to you also his glory?
[Yes, verily, the glory of God shines as truly as ever, in the face of Jesus Christ; and shall be manifested unto you, even as it was in the Apostolic, or shall be in the Millennial, age, if only you will seek him with your whole hearts. Blessed be God! there are, even at this day, some at least to whom Christ is precious; some who behold him as the brightness of his Fathers glory, and the express image of his person [Note: Heb 1:3.]; and who, beholding his glory, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of Lord [Note: 2Co 3:18.]. And why should one amongst you remain destitute of this blessing? There is not so much as one amongst you all to whom Christ would not come in the most endearing manner, if you would but seek him [Note: Joh 14:23.]. If only you would, with Moses, say, Lord, shew me thy glory, He would make all his goodness to pass before your eyes [Note: Exo 33:18-19.].]
To all of you, then, I would address the following requests:
1.
Seek to form a right estimate of religion
[Religion is not, as too many imagine, a source of melancholy, but a fountain of unutterable joy [Note: Pro 3:17.]. If it deprive you of carnal delights, it will give you infinitely richer and purer pleasures in their stead ]
2.
Endeavour to get an experimental acquaintance with it in your own souls
[Be not satisfied with speculative views of divine truth; but get such a sense of it as shall fill your mouth with praise, and cause you to sing in the ways of the Lord all the day long. The command to you, as much as to any child of man, is, Rejoice evermore: rejoice in the Lord alway; and again, I say, rejoice ]
3.
Labour to circulate the knowledge of it through the whole world
[Blessed be God! the higher ranks are now beginning to mingle their praises with those of the other classes of the community. The circulation of the word of God, and the sending forth of missionaries to explain and enforce it, are now objects of solicitude to an extent that they have never been, since the days of the Apostles. Unite then, all of you, in this blessed work; and cease not, till all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.]
Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)
Scripture best explains scripture. Interpreting what is here said in reference to the days of Christ, the whole is confirmed. Psa 72:10-11 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 138:4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
Ver. 4. All the kings of the earth shall praise thee ] Such of them as shall read these psalms of my composing; or otherwise shall hear of thy gracious dealing with me, according to thy promise. Such also as shall hereafter be converted to the faith; for though “Not many mighty, not many noble, are called,” 1Co 1:26 , yet some are, and these shine in the Church like stars of the first magnitude.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 138:4-6
4All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O Lord,
When they have heard the words of Your mouth.
5And they will sing of the ways of the Lord,
For great is the glory of the Lord.
6For though the Lord is exalted,
Yet He regards the lowly,
But the haughty He knows from afar.
Psa 138:4-6 As Psa 138:1-3 described the psalmist’s prayers and YHWH’s responses, now this strophe addresses the nations (i.e., all the kings of the earth).
1. they will give thanks – BDB 392, KB 389, Hiphil imperfect used in a jussive sense
2. they will sing of YHWH’s ways – BDB 1010, KB 1479, Qal imperfect used in a jussive sense
The reason for the idiom is
1. YHWH’s revelation (i.e., words)
2. YHWH’s ways (i.e., exalts the lowly, judges the haughty), Psa 138:6
3. YHWH’s great glory (see SPECIAL TOPIC: GLORY (DOXA) )
Psa 138:4 All the kings of the earth The OT discusses the nations under several categories.
1. YHWH and His Messiah’s possession – Psa 2:8; Psa 82:8; Rev 11:15
2. their fear/judgment – Psa 72:11; Psa 102:15; Isa 49:23
3. their worship – Psa 22:27; Psa 66:4; Psa 86:9; Psa 138:4; Isa 66:23; Rev 15:4; see Special Topic: YHWH’s Eternal Redemptive Plan
Psa 138:6 He knows This verb is often used in the sense of intimate personal relationship. See Special Topic: Know .
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
they hear = they have heard.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 138:4-6
Psa 138:4-6
“All the kings of the earth shall give thee thanks, O Jehovah,
For they have heard the words of thy mouth.
Yea, they shall sing of the ways of Jehovah;
For great is the glory of Jehovah.
For though Jehovah is high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly;
But the haughty he knoweth from afar.”
“All the kings of the earth shall give thee thanks” (Psa 138:4). The implication here is undeniable that the thanksgiving of all the kings of the earth is here predicated upon their hearing of how God had answered the psalmist’s prayer. McCaw commented on this that, “It is hardly likely that a private individual could think of some purely personal experience as exercising a convincing influence over the kings of the earth. But if the individual were a king himself, such a hope is possible. It is considerations such as this that strongly favor the superscription’s ascription of this psalm to David.
“Everything here centers about the prospect of having the kings of the earth offer their praises to the Lord for what he had done to David.
Barnes understood Psa 138:4 here as prophetic. “This refers to a time, of which frequent prophetic mention is made in the Scriptures. However, this does not diminish the propriety of understanding these as the words of David. Even the thanksgiving of kings and world rulers who became Christians in the age of the gospel was due solely to what God did for David in bringing into our world the greater Son of David as the Saviour of all men.
“Great is the glory of Jehovah” (Psa 138:5). There is a dramatic shift of persons here. There is a double reference to Jehovah in Psa 138:4, in which the psalmist addresses Jehovah in the second person; and here adjacent to Psa 138:4 we have the third person. Of course, critics go wild about things like this, although they should be familiar with the fact that shifts of this kind are common in the Bible. By “emending” (that means changing) the text Briggs “corrected” this usage of persons. However, as Dahood pointed out, the Dead Sea Scrolls, namely, those from “Cave 11” support the Hebrew text of the Old Testament in this passage. In our opinion, scholars have been at times very careless with their emendation.
“Jehovah is high … he hath respect unto the lowly … the haughty he knoweth from afar” (Psa 138:6). “Notwithstanding all God’s greatness and glory, he condescends to look upon the lowly and supply them. Hence, David feels sure that God will not overlook him. But God keeps proud men at a distance, does not draw near them, much less make his abode with them, but leaves them to themselves until they are ripe for punishment.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 138:4. These kings may not render full service to God, since most of them were idolaters. But they will recognize that the sayings of Israel’s God were wonderful and worthy of praise.
Psa 138:5. Ways is from a word that is defined by Strong, “mode of action.” The kings will sing to express their adoration of the activities of Israel’s God. This was because the actions not only were mighty, but shed glory in the sight of all.
Psa 138:6. God has spanned the great difference between himself and the humble of the earth by His great compassion. Knoweth afar off means God takes certain notice of the proud, but will not admit such to be near him as far as it pertains to favor.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
All the kings: Psa 72:11, Psa 102:15, Psa 102:22, Isa 49:23, Isa 60:3-5, Isa 60:16, Rev 11:15, Rev 21:24
when they hear: Psa 22:22, Psa 22:27, Psa 51:13, Psa 69:30-32, Psa 71:18
Reciprocal: Jdg 5:3 – O ye kings 2Ch 6:33 – that all people Psa 18:49 – will I give thanks Psa 35:18 – praise Psa 57:9 – General Psa 67:4 – O let Psa 108:3 – praise Psa 109:30 – I will praise Psa 148:11 – Kings Isa 62:2 – all kings Jer 31:7 – Sing Zep 2:11 – and men Zec 8:20 – there Rom 15:10 – General
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 138:4-5. All the kings of the earth shall praise thee All the neighbouring kings; or, rather, this is a prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles, and so the generality of the kings of the earth are intended, according to the prediction, Psa 72:11; All kings shall fall down before him, all nations shall serve him; when they shall hear the words of thy mouth The gospel preached among them. Yea, they shall sing in the ways Or, of, or, because of the ways, of the Lord; that is, his wonderful counsel and gracious providences toward themselves and others. For great is Or, great shall be, the glory of the Lord At that time the worship and glory of God shall not be confined to one small land, as now it is, but shall be extended to all parts of the world.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
138:4 All the {d} kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
(d) All the world will confess that you have wonderfully preserved me, and performed your promise.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
2. Praise from all kings 138:4-5
David anticipated that when other monarchs heard about the Lord’s greatness, they would worship Him too. This was the reaction of the Queen of Sheba in Solomon’s day (1Ki 10:1-13).