Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Psalms 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
7. wilt revive me ] Or, preserve me alive. Cp. Psa 71:20; Psa 119:25 &c.; Psa 143:11.
thou shalt stretch forth thine hand ] A common figure for the exertion of Divine power to help or punish. Cp. Psa 144:7; Exo 3:20; Exo 9:15.
thy right hand &c.] Cp. Psa 17:7; Psa 139:10.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
7, 8. Though fresh troubles may still await Israel, Jehovah will not fail to carry out His purposes for them.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Though I walk in the midst of trouble – Though I am in the low vale of sorrow, I shall not be overlooked or forgotten. This implies that the writer was then in trouble, and it expresses the conviction that whenever he should be in trouble God would remember him, and give him life and strength.
Thou wilt revive me – Thou wilt cause me to live; thou wilt give me life. Psa 30:3. Compare the notes at Psa 71:20. The meaning is, Thou wilt give me life – vigor – strength – to bear the trouble.
Thou shalt stretch forth thine hand – As one does when he is about to inflict a blow.
Against the wrath of mine enemies … – In reference to all their attempts to destroy me. Thou wilt meet their wrath by thy power, and I shall be safe.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Psa 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me.
Human life
I. The universal law of human life. What is it? It is expressed in one word–walking. Life is a walk, a journey. It is constant action, and constant action onward. Life is never stationary; it is always on the move; it is motion.
1. Constant change of position. Every step puts us in a fresh point of space, and surrounds us with something new in scenery. So with life.
2. Constant approximation to destiny. The grave for the body; retribution for the soul.
II. The saddening probabilities of human life. Life is not only a walk, but a walk often in the midst of trouble. Since the introduction of sin into our world, it has never been a walk of unmingled pleasure. All here meet with trials on the way; but some more than others. Physical–bodily pains and diseases; moral–the conflict of passions, the remorse of conscience, and the dread of death; social–disappointments in business, the treachery of false friends, the corruption of the world, and the bereavement of death.
III. The grand support of human life. Thou wilt revive me.
1. God is an all-sufficient support. He is equal to all our emergencies. He is our refuge and strength, etc. There is no enemy from which He cannot deliver us; there is no trial under which He cannot support us; there is no danger from which lie cannot rescue us. In the fiery furnace, in the surging waters, in the valley of the shadow of death, He is all-sufficient.
2. He is the only effective support. No one else can support you. Put not your trust in princes.
3. He is an available support. Available to all at any time. Call upon Me in the time of trouble and I will deliver you. (Homilist.)
The Christians comfort in the midst of troubles
I. The Christians troubles. They arise from–
1. The world within. An evil heart of unbelief; prone to distrust God, to dishonour God, to wander from God.
2. The world without. Bodily affliction, worldly trials, opposition from the world, etc.
3. The world beneath. Satan distils his venom in secret.
II. The Christians comforter. Though he walks in trouble, he does not walk alone. Though persecuted, he is not forsaken; though cast down, not destroyed.
1. God can enter the inner world and bring comfort there, and spread a banquet within, and open a little paradise (Psa 94:19; Job 35:10; Psa 27:5).
2. God can enable us to meet the world without. So He enabled Jacob to meet Esau; Elijah, Baals priests; David, Goliath.
3. God can effectually subdue the world beneath. Bruise Satan under your feet.
III. The Christians confidence. What it is proved.
1. What He is–God of mercy.
2. What He has done.
3. What He has promised to do. (Evangelist.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 7. Though I walk in the midst of trouble] I have had such experience of thy mercy, that let me fall into whatsoever trouble I may, yet I will trust in thee. Thou wilt quicken me, though I were ready to die; and thou wilt deliver me from the wrath of my enemies.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Walk in the midst of trouble, i.e. be encompassed with dangers.
Thou wilt revive me; thou wilt cheer my spirit, and preserve my life.
Thou shalt stretch forth thine hand; put forth thy almighty power, to oppose and restrain their rage, and to save me from them, as it follows.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Though I walk in the midst of trouble,…. Trouble attends the best of men; both outward and inward trouble, from sin, Satan, and the world; yea, they are in the midst of it, surrounded with it; and it is a way in which they walk through this world, and enter the kingdom of heaven; it is continued unto them; it is a long walk, and yet will have an end; see Ps 23:4;
thou wilt revive me; preserve his life amidst all his troubles, support him under them, make him cheerful and fearless; revive his work of grace in him, quicken him to the lively exercise of grace, and fervent discharge of duty: this the Lord does by his gracious presence, by the discoveries of his love, and by the application of precious promises;
thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies; to stop and restrain it; which he can easily do, when most violent and outrageous, Ps 76:10. Or, “against the nose of mine enemies” w; strike them on the nose, as men do unruly horses to stop them: or give a slap on their face with the left hand, as Arama observes, the right being after mentioned;
and thy right hand shall save me; for that has saving strength in it,
Ps 20:6. This may be understood of Christ, who is not only the man of his right hand, but is the right hand of his righteousness; by whom he saves his people with a spiritual and eternal salvation, as well as with a temporal one, Isa 41:10.
w “super nasum inimicorum meorum”, Montanus, Tigurine version; so Gussetius; “in faciem”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Out of these experiences-so important for all mankind – of David, who has been exalted by passing through humiliation, there arise from him confident hopes concerning the future. The beginning of this strophe calls Psa 23:4 to mind. Though his way may lead through the midst of heart – oppressing trouble, Jahve will loose these bands of death and quicken him afresh ( as in Psa 30:4; Psa 71:20, and frequently). Though his enemies may rage, Jahve will stretch forth His hand threateningly and tranquillizingly over their wrath, and His right hand will save him. is the subject according to Psa 139:10 and other passages, and not (for why should it be supposed to be this?) accus. instrumenti (vid., Psa 60:7). In Psa 138:8 is intended just as in Psa 57:3: the word begun He will carry out, (Phi 1:6); and (according to its meaning, properly: covering me) is the same as in that passage (cf. Psa 13:6; 142:8). The pledge of this completion is Jahve’s everlasting mercy, which will not rest until the promise is become perfect truth and reality. Thus, therefore, He will not leave, forsake the works of His hands (vid., Psa 90:16.), i.e., as Hengstenberg correctly explains, everything that He has hitherto accomplished for David, from his deliverance out of the hands of Saul down to the bestowment of the promise – He will not let one of His works stand still, and least of all one that has been so gloriously begun. (whence ) signifies to slacken, to leave slack, i.e., leave uncarried out, to leave to itself, as in Neh 6:3. expresses a negation with a measure of inward excitement.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
7. Should I walk in the midst of trouble, etc. Here David declares the sense in which he looked flint God would act the part of his preserver — by giving him life from the dead, were that necessary. The passage is well deserving our attention for by nature we are so delicately averse to suffering as to wish that we might all live safely beyond shot of its arrows, and shrink from close contact with the fear of death, as something altogether intolerable. On the slightest approach of danger we are immoderately afraid, as if our emergencies precluded the hope of Divine deliverance. This is faith’s true office, to see life in the midst of death, and to trust the mercy of God — not as that which will procure us universal exemption from evil, but as that which will quicken us in the midst of death every moment of our lives; for God humbles his children under various trials, that his defense of them may be the more remarkable, and that he may show himself to be their deliverer, as well as their preserver. In the world believers are constantly exposed to enemies, and David asserts, that he will be safe under God’s protection from all their machinations. He declares his hope of life to lie in this, that the hand of God was stretched out for his help, that hand which he knew to be invincible, and victorious over every foe. And from all this we are taught, that it is God’s method to exercise his children with a continual conflict, that, having one foot as it were in the grave, they may flee with alarm to hide themselves under his wings, where they malt abide in peace. Some translate the particle אף, aph, also, instead of anger, reading — thou wilt also extend over mine; enemies, etc. But I have followed the more commonly received sense, as both fuller and more natural.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(7) This verse echoes Psa. 23:4; Psa. 30:3; Psa. 71:20.
Against the wrath.Or perhaps, upon the wrath.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Psa 138:7. Thou shalt stretch forth thine hand Thou wilt lay thy hand upon the fury of my enemies; i.e. “Thou wilt keep it down, and restrain it.” Mudge; who renders the first clause of the next verse, The Lord will completely cover me all around. The last words seem to put God in mind of his favour to the Jewish nation, and to pray that he would not leave unfinished what he had begun to do; perpetuating to all nations the great things which he had done for that nation.
REFLECTIONS.1st, David’s harp is continually in tune.
1. He resolves, with warm affection and simplicity of heart, to praise God, before the gods, in the presence of kings or magistrates, or the angels, with boldness, not ashamed to glory in his dependance upon God. I will worship towards thy holy temple; to the place of the ark did they always direct their faces, when assembled in the courts of the sanctuary, or worshipping in private. For the only prayers or praises which ascend with acceptance, are those which are offered with our eyes to him who is the true tabernacle, Jesus Christ, by whom we have access unto God.
2. Abundant cause he had for thanksgiving. For thy loving-kindness, manifested in all the temporal and spiritual blessings bestowed, and for thy truth, having experienced the faithfulness of his promises: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name; great hath God’s name appeared in the works of creation and providence, but greater in his word of grace, wherein the most transcendent displays of his glory are made: or this may refer to Christ, the essential word, who is exalted above every name, and in whom God’s name is magnified, beyond all other revelations formerly made to his church. In the day when I cried, thou answeredst me, attentive to my prayer, and giving all I asked, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul, that he was enabled to stand under the pressures of affliction and temptation, and to overcome all his enemies; for which inestimable mercies he justly owed the grateful return of praise. Note; (1.) They who trust God’s truth will prove his faithfulness. (2.) When we fly to God in prayer, he will not leave us destitute. (3.) In all our trials, if God strengthen us in our souls, we shall gain by our afflictions.
3. Others, even all the kings of the earth, shall join his songs, when, hearing the words of his mouth in the preaching of the gospel, the fulness of the Gentiles shall come in, and their kings become nursing fathers, singing in the church of the good ways of the Lord, his mercy, grace, and love in a Redeemer, and ascribing to him the great glory which is his due. Hasten it, O Lord, in its season!
2nd, This is either the song which the kings of the earth should sing, or the Psalmist’s profession of his confidence in God.
1. The humble he will regard, the proud he will destroy, Though the Lord be high in glory, exalted above all blessing and praise, yet hath he respect unto the lowly, vile in their own eyes, conscious of their sin, weakness, and wretchedness, and casting themselves wholly on the riches of God’s grace in the Redeemer; these God regards with love, and delights to bless: but the proud, who are puffed up with worldly advantages, or vain of their attainments in wisdom, or highly elated with the conceit of their own righteousness; such doth God abhor: he knoweth them afar off, sees their inmost soul, and will visit them in his displeasure.
2. The experience which the Psalmist had of God’s care, encourages his confidence to trust in him at all times. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, and that is often the bitter portion of the dearest saints of God, whom he is pleased to exercise with afflictions, thou wilt revive me when ready to sink under the burden, thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, to restrain or destroy them, and thy right hand shall save me, thy power and grace, or Christ, the Right Hand of the Lord, the Saviour of all who trust in him. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me; in his hands all the concerns of the faithful are safe. Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever, and cannot disappoint any faithful soul that ever trusts thereon: forsake not the works of thine own hands, perfect the salvation of thy people; and as my soul is thine by creation, redemption, and grace, forsake me not, but love me to the end, that I may be thine for ever.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Psa 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
Ver. 7. Though I walk in the midst of trouble ] Even in the vale of the shadow of death, so that I seem little different from a dead man.
Thou wilt revive me
Thou shall stretch forth thine hand
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Psa 138:7-8
7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
And Your right hand will save me.
8The Lord will accomplish what concerns me;
Your lovingkindness, O Lord, is everlasting;
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Psa 138:7-8 The psalmist alludes to his current situation.
1. I walk in the midst of trouble, Psa 138:7 (this is hinted at in Psa 138:3)
2. he has wrathful enemies, Psa 138:7 b; it is never certain who these enemies are
a. fellow Israelites
b. pagan neighbors
AB (pp. 275-276) asserts that this Psalm is best interpreted as a royal Psalm in David’s reign because of the lexical and grammatical links to Ugaritic poetry.
3. what concerns me, Psa 138:8 a. This, too, is unspecified but the context implies a spiritual or religious motive
4. the use of the word revive (lit. keep me alive) implies the enemies
a. were attempting to kill him
b. he became ill
Psa 138:7 Your right hand See Special Topic: Hand.
save me See Special Topic: Salvation (OT).
Psa 138:8 a What a promise to all faithful followers.
1. we all have a divine purpose (cf. Psa 57:2; Php 1:6)
2. the object of our faith will accomplish/fulfill His purpose in us
Psa 138:8 b Lovingkindness See Special Topic: Lovingkindness (hesed) .
everlasting See Special Topic: Forever (‘olam) .
Psa 138:8 c Do not forsake the works of Your hands The verb (BDB 951, KB 1276, Hiphil jussive) denotes YHWH’s faithfulness to His purposes.
The phrase work of Your hands is a Hebrew idiom for YHWH’s creation of mankind in His image/likeness (cf. Gen 1:26-27; Gen 2:1-7).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk n the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought provoking, not definitive.
1. To whom do the gods of Psa 138:1 b refer?
2. Define the Hebrew meaning of lovingkindness and truth. Psa 138:2
3. Why is the last line of Psa 138:2 so difficult to translate?
4. Why is Psa 138:3 so difficult to translate?
5. Does all the kings of the earth refer to a judgment scene or a worship scene?
6. Is it possible to define the trouble or my enemies of Psa 138:7?
7. What great truth does Psa 138:8 express?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
revive = make alive, or sustain in life. See note 11 on p. 827.
hand. Some codices, with two early printed editions and Septuagint, read “hands” (plural) Figure of speech Anthropopatheia (App-6).
against. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read “Yea, because of”.
mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.
works. Some codices, with Syriac, read “work” (singular).
To the chief Musician. See App-64.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Psa 138:7-8
Psa 138:7-8
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me;
Thou wilt stretch forth thy hands against the wrath of mine enemies,
And thy right hand will save me.
Jehovah will perfect that which concerneth me:
Thy lovingkindness, O Jehovah, endureth forever;
Forsake not the works of thine own hands.”
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble” (Psa 138:7). Dahood rendered “I walk” here as “I march,” indicating that the context is military. “Having thanked God for a military victory, the psalmist ends the hymn with a prayer for protection on future military expeditions.
“Jehovah will perfect that which concerneth me” (Psa 138:8). David here exhibits a profound trust in God and full confidence that the marvelous promises conveyed unto him by the mouth of the prophet Nathan will indeed be fulfilled.
E.M. Zerr:
Psa 138:7. The meaning of this verse is a simple statement of David’s faith in God.
Psa 138:8. To perfect means to make complete. David knew he was an erring creature of the earth and had many defects. However, he believed that if he proved faithful to the Lord he would give him strength to overcome his weakness, and thus would round out his character of righteousness. All of this would be done, not on the merit of the Psalmist, but on the enduring mercy of the Lord. This faith encouraged David to plead that God would not forsake him since he was a part of His handiwork.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Though I walk: Psa 23:3, Psa 23:4, Psa 41:7, Psa 41:8, Psa 66:10-12, Job 13:15, Job 19:25, Job 19:26, Isa 57:16
thou wilt: Psa 71:20, Psa 71:21, Psa 85:6, Psa 119:49, Psa 119:50
thou shalt stretch: Psa 35:1-3, Psa 56:1, Psa 56:2, Psa 56:9, Psa 64:7, Psa 64:8, Psa 77:10, Psa 144:1, Psa 144:2, Isa 5:25, Isa 9:12, Isa 9:17, Isa 9:21, Isa 10:4, Mic 7:8-10
and thy right: Psa 17:7, Psa 18:35, Psa 44:3, Psa 44:5-7, Psa 60:5, Isa 41:10, Act 2:33
Reciprocal: Lev 26:9 – for I 1Sa 17:37 – The Lord 1Ki 1:29 – hath Ezr 9:8 – reviving Psa 20:1 – hear Psa 25:10 – the paths Psa 25:19 – Consider Psa 27:5 – For in Psa 59:16 – day Psa 91:15 – I will be Psa 143:11 – Quicken Jer 14:8 – in time Hos 14:7 – revive Hab 3:2 – O Lord Mat 14:31 – stretched 1Pe 5:10 – strengthen
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Psa 138:7-8. Though I walk in the midst of trouble That is, be compassed with dangers; thou wilt revive me Thou wilt cheer my spirit and preserve my life. Thou shalt stretch forth thy hand Put forth thy almighty power; against the wrath of mine enemies To oppose and restrain their rage. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me Will finish that great work of my deliverance and advancement, which he hath undertaken, and carried on hitherto. Thy mercy endureth for ever It is not inconstant and changeable, as mens affections are, but everlasting. And this may be either produced as a proof of the foregoing assertion, The Lord will perfect, &c. Or, as an argument to enforce the following petition. Forsake not Do not withdraw thy presence from me, who am thy creature, but continue to support and save me. Or, leave not, or, do not desist from, or, cease to carry on, as , rather signifies, the work, namely of my salvation, which is thus far advanced, not by any human help, but by thy power and providence.