Psalm 138:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.

NIV: The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

NASB: The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your faithfulness, Lord, is everlasting; Do not abandon the works of Your hands.

CSB: The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Lord, your faithful love endures forever; do not abandon the work of your hands.

NLT: The Lord will work out his plans for my life — for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.

KJV: The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

NKJV: The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Psalm 138:7–8 expresses confidence with a statement similar to David's other psalms (Psalm 23:4; 27:3). David experienced much danger during his life (1 Samuel 17:44; 19:1–2, 11; 30:5–6; 2 Samuel 5:17; 15:13–14). Yet he also saw the Lord's protection and guidance (1 Samuel 17:37, 50–51; 23:2; 30:8). These events corresponded to the promises which the Lord had made (2 Samuel 5:12; 7:12–16). David is confident that God would accomplish His will, so he simply prays for the Lord to continue with His works.

David publicly praises God for His faithfulness and salvation. Someday, all rulers of every nation will acknowledge the Lord. They will recognize His goodness and mercy. Despite troubles, David is confident in the Lord's plan. God has a purpose for David's life, so he is content to pray for aid and rest in God's loyal love.

This section (Psalms 138—145) of songs are attributed to David. Psalm 108 shares basic themes with the beginning verses of this entry. The later parts of this psalm echo David's thoughts (Psalm 23:4) in Psalm 23. No specific moment is tied to this psalm; David may have written it while thinking about Israel's many neighboring enemies (2 Samuel 5:6; 8:1–2). The first verse uses the word elōhim', which can refer to the Lord God (Genesis 1:1), to deities in general (Deuteronomy 5:7), to spiritual beings (Psalm 8:5), or to important people (Genesis 23:6).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 4/18/2025 2:25:04 PM