The God who fulfills his purpose in me

After the depressing nature of Psalm 137, this psalm is quite refreshing. Why? I suppose it’s because the focus is back where it should be: on God.

When David composed Psalm 138 is uncertain, but I suppose it’s possible he wrote it sometime after his ascension to the throne of Israel.

Perhaps as he wrote it, he was looking back on just how far he had come and how God’s hand had been on his life.

He starts with praise, singing,

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise. (Psalm 138:1)

The word “gods” is a bit obscure in the Hebrew. Whether he was proclaiming God before the false gods of the nations or simply the kings of the nations is not clear. Some ancient translations have even rendered it “angels.”

But whoever David meant, it’s clear that he places God over all, even before the “mighty ones,” whether in heaven or on earth.

Why? Because of God’s love and faithfulness to him. That when he called out in his distress, God reached down from above to deliver him. And whenever David was afraid for his life, God gave him courage to stand once again.

Now as David looked back on his life, he saw just how great God was and how faithful he was to his word.

So he sings in praise,

May all the kings of the earth praise you, O LORD,
when they hear the words of your mouth.

May they sing of the ways of the LORD,
for the glory of the LORD is great. (4–5)

And because of God’s faithfulness to him in the past, he could say with confidence,

The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me;
your love, O LORD, endures forever. (8)

Are you struggling with doubt in your life now? Are you feeling lost and abandoned by God?

Think of the times God has been faithful to you in the past.

Think first to the cross and what Jesus did for you.

Think to the people who first brought you to Christ and the circumstances surrounding your salvation.

Think of what God has done for you since.

Then remember that the same God who was with you then has not abandoned you now. His love does endure forever, no matter how many times we may fail him.

And God will fulfill his purposes for you in your life.