Psalms
Chapter 138
A song of thanks to the LORD for answering the writer when he called for help. He praises God in front of the gods, bows toward the holy temple, and says that even kings will thank the LORD when they hear his words. The psalm ends by saying that God pays attention to lowly people, keeps the writer safe in trouble, and will finish what he has started.
Plain reading written for preteens. Clear and complete, at about a fifth grade reading level.
I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
1I thank you with my whole heart. I sing praise to you right in front of the gods.
2I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
2I bow toward your holy temple. I thank your name for your faithful love and for your truth, because you have lifted your word and your name above everything else.
3In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
3On the day I called out, you answered me. You made me brave and gave my soul strength.
4All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
4All the kings of the earth will thank you, LORD, when they hear the words you speak.
5Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
5They will sing about the ways of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD is great.
6Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
6The LORD is high above all, yet he cares about people who are low. He knows the proud from far away.
In 1611 English, "hath he respect unto" meant he pays attention to someone and cares for them. It does not mean respect in our modern sense.
7Though 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.
7Even when I walk right through trouble, you keep me alive. You reach out your hand against my angry enemies, and your right hand saves me.
"Revive" here means keep alive or protect, not bring back after fainting.
8The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
8The LORD will finish the work he is doing for me. LORD, your faithful love lasts forever. Do not walk away from what your own hands have made.
"Perfect that which concerneth me" means complete what he has begun for me, not make me perfect.
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