Psalm 138: The Lord Regards the Lowly

Today’s reading is Psalm 138.

The Surprising Reason Kings Thank God

Yesterday, we discussed how the kings in Psalm 137 are seen responding to the promises and warnings of Psalm 2. This psalm homes in on those who heed the warning, take refuge in the anointed of the Lord, kiss the Son, and are thankful. The poignant part, however, is why they are thankful.

For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.
–Psalm 138:6 (ESV)

They give thanks because though the Lord is high above, He regards the lowly. In Psalm 136:23, Israel knew the Lord’s steadfast love endured forever precisely because He remembered Israel “in our low estate.” In Psalm 113:5-9, though the Lord is high above all nations and his glory above the heavens, though He is seated on high, He looks far down to lift up the poor and needy from the dust and ash heap.

YHWH exalts the humble and lowly. Kings recognize how great that is. But that is a little surprising, right? Kings aren’t lowly, are they? Kings are the high and mighty. They are the top dogs in the land. That is true, when comparing kings to other citizens in their kingdom. However, compared to God, the King above all kings, kings of the earth are as nothing. The difference between kings of the earth and citizens of their kingdoms is miniscule compared to the gargantuan gap between earthly kings and the Heavenly King.

If earthly kings come into God’s presence trying to assert their grandeur and glory, it won’t take long before the God of heaven will demonstrate their insignificance and unimportance. If they cannot cast off their golden crowns at the feet of the true King, they will discover them knocked off. But when kings can humble themselves before the Lord, they discover how gracious He is. Therefore, they give thanks.

As I read this, I think of the beatitudes introducing Jesus’s sermon on the mount. The poor in spirit are blessed because theirs is the kingdom. The mourners are blessed because they are comforted. The meek are blessed because they are given the land. Those hungering and thirsting for righteousness are blessed because they will receive it. These are the lowly whom the Lord regards.

May we be these lowly who find our exaltation from God.

Praise the Lord!

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 138.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Psalm 138 prompt or improve your trust in God?

Psalm 138: All the Kings of the Earth Shall Give Thanks

Today’s reading is Psalm 138.

The Kings Respond

The first psalm calling David the king to mind is Psalm 2. In that psalm, the Lord calls Israel’s king His son. He declares the son/king is established on Zion. He tells the king if he simply asks, the Lord will give him the nations as a heritage and he will rule over them. Then the kings are warned to be wise and take refuge in God’s son. The psalm had begun with the kings taking counsel against the Lord and His anointed king. They wanted to cast off the cords and bonds of the Lord and His anointed son. They are told if they take refuge in the son, they will be blessed. Otherwise, they will perish in the way. How will they respond?

Obviously, in any given scenario, kings did different things. In David’s life, some kings allied with him and were blessed, others fought against him and were beaten. Our psalm this week pictures those kings who heeded the warning. They don’t do so grudgingly, but cheerfully. They don’t submit to the son and to the Lord because they have no other choice and decide to make the best out of an impossible situation. Rather, when all is said and done, they give thanks. They heard the words from the Lord’s mouth and recognized the glory of the Lord. They willingly submitted and discovered they were thankful they did.

The psalm uses poetic hyperbole to claim all kings will give thanks. However, at the same time, it still demonstrates enemies. Not everyone submits to the Lord. However, the Lord knows the difference. Though He is high, He gives regard to the lowly, but knows who arrogantly opposes. We can’t pull the wool over God’s eyes. The poetic hyperbole seems to be pointing out that even the kings who suffer punishment for their haughtiness will in that judgment recognize God is just and always does what is right.

The great point, however, is God made a promise in Psalm 2. We’ve often seen the king wonder throughout the psalms when the promise will be fulfilled. This psalm was written in the wake of a victory which demonstrated God keeps His promises.

We aren’t kings (except of our own lives). Yet, we too must learn to take refuge in the Son. Then we will be blessed. It will take humility. We must crush our pride. But when we do, we will discover submission to God is a glorious thing. We will discover how thankful we can and should be for the great grace, favor, and blessing God provides to those who seek refuge in Him. Today’s zeitgeist says true blessing comes from surrendering to no one but self. Truth says true blessing comes from submitting to God. Until we do, we will not understand how thankful we will be. But allow me to assure you, God’s way is best. When you surrender to Him, you will be thankful.

Can we help you surrender to Him? Let us know in the comments below.

Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 138.

PODCAST!!!

Click here to take about 15 minutes to listen to the Text Talk conversation between Andrew Roberts and Edwin Crozier.

PATHS:
Discuss Today’s Meditation with Your Family

How does Psalm 138 admonish you?