Psalms 138:2

KJV

I 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

I will worship {H7812} toward thy holy {H6944} temple {H1964}, and praise {H3034} thy name {H8034} for thy lovingkindness {H2617} and for thy truth {H571}: for thou hast magnified {H1431} thy word {H565} above all thy name {H8034}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your grace and truth; for you have made your word [even] greater than the whole of your reputation.

Berean Standard Bible

I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.

American Standard Version

I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 138:2 is a profound declaration of King David's personal commitment to worship and gratitude, articulating the foundational reasons for his praise. He pledges to worship God in the direction of the holy temple, giving thanks for God's steadfast love and unwavering truth. The verse culminates in a powerful theological statement: God has elevated His divine promises and revealed will—His word—above even His own renowned name, underscoring His absolute commitment to the integrity and fulfillment of His declarations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 138 is a heartfelt psalm of thanksgiving, likely composed by David in response to a significant divine intervention or answered prayer, possibly after a period of distress or victory. It opens with David's resolute commitment to praise God "with my whole heart" (Psalm 138:1), even "before the gods" or earthly rulers, emphasizing the unparalleled sovereignty of Yahweh. Verse 2 elaborates on the *manner* and *motivation* of this worship, specifying both the physical orientation ("toward thy holy temple") and the divine attributes that inspire such profound devotion: God's lovingkindness and truth. The psalm continues to extol God's greatness, His attentiveness to the humble, and His enduring faithfulness, contrasting His character with the pride of the wicked. The concluding verses (Psalm 138:7-8) express David's confidence in God's continued preservation and the completion of His work, rooted firmly in God's unfailing love.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** As a psalm attributed to King David, this text reflects the established worship practices of ancient Israel during his reign. The "holy temple" (Hebrew: *heykâl*) in David's time would refer to the Tabernacle, which served as the central place of worship and the symbolic dwelling place of God's manifest presence among His people in Jerusalem. Worshiping "toward" it signified reverence for God's presence and His covenantal relationship with Israel. This practice was a physical posture reflecting a spiritual orientation towards the divine presence. In the ancient Near East, a person's "name" (Hebrew: *shêm*) was far more than a mere label; it encapsulated their entire character, reputation, authority, and essence. To "magnify" one's word above one's name was an extraordinary and deeply significant claim, indicating an unparalleled commitment to one's promises, especially in a culture where oaths, covenants, and spoken declarations held immense legal and social weight.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout the Psalms and the broader Old Testament narrative. **Worship** is presented not as a mere ritual but as a heartfelt, intentional response to God's character and His faithful actions. The attributes of God's **lovingkindness (חֶסֶד, *chesed*) and truth (אֱמֶת, *emeth*)** are highlighted as foundational to His very nature and the basis of His covenant relationship with Israel. These complementary attributes are frequently celebrated in psalms that praise God's unwavering faithfulness, such as [Psalm 89:1-2](/psalms/89-1-2 "Psalm 89:1-2 - God's Faithfulness and Steadfast Love") and [Psalm 117:2](/psalms/117-2 "Psalm 117:2 - God's Steadfast Love and Faithfulness"). Most profoundly, the verse emphasizes the **supremacy and inviolability of God's Word**. This concept—that God's spoken word, His promises, and His revealed will are so utterly reliable that they transcend even His own reputation—is a powerful affirmation of divine faithfulness, echoing sentiments found in [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man that He should lie") and [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **magnified (Hebrew, _gâdal'_):** H1431, a primitive root meaning "to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride); advance, boast, bring up, exceed, excellent, be(-come, do, give, make, wax), great(-er, come to... estate, [phrase] things), grow(up), increase, lift up, magnify(-ifical), be much set by, nourish (up), pass, promote, proudly (spoken), tower." In this context, it signifies God's deliberate act of exalting, elevating, or giving supreme importance and preeminence to His word, placing it above all other aspects of His renown or character.
* **lovingkindness (Hebrew, _chêçêd'_):** H2617, derived from חָסַד, meaning "kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty; favour, good deed(-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing." *Chesed* is a rich and multifaceted theological term denoting God's steadfast, loyal, and covenantal love. It encompasses His unfailing mercy, faithfulness, and benevolent commitment that forms the very foundation of His relationship with His people, a love that endures and actively pursues their good.
* **word (Hebrew, _ʼimrâh'_):** H565, or אֶמְרָה, feminine of אֵמֶר, meaning "something said; commandment, speech, word." This refers to God's spoken declarations, His divine promises, decrees, commandments, and revealed will. The verse asserts that God has elevated the reliability, certainty, and binding nature of these divine utterances to the highest possible degree, making them the ultimate guarantee of His character and actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I will worship toward thy holy temple,"**: David expresses his personal and unwavering commitment to worship God. The act of "worship" (H7812, *shâchâh*, to depress, i.e., prostrate oneself, especially in homage to royalty or God) is directed "toward thy holy temple" (H1964, *hêykâl*, a large public building, such as a palace or temple; H6944, *qôdesh*, a sacred place or thing). This signifies a posture of profound reverence for God's designated dwelling place and His manifest presence, even if the permanent Temple was not yet built. It points to the Tabernacle or the future Temple as the symbolic and actual locus of God's presence and Israel's corporate worship, a place where God's glory was uniquely revealed.
* **"and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth:"**: David's worship is intimately connected with and accompanied by fervent praise (H3034, *yâdâh*, literally to use or hold out the hand, to throw, but especially to revere or worship with extended hands, to confess, to give thanks). This praise is directed to God's "name" (H8034, *shêm*, an appellation, character, authority, reputation). The profound reasons for this praise are God's "lovingkindness" (H2617, *chêçêd*, His steadfast, covenantal love and mercy) and His "truth" (H571, *ʼemeth*, His stability, certainty, and trustworthiness). These two attributes are inextricably linked and fundamental to God's character, highlighting His unwavering faithfulness and absolute reliability in all His dealings with humanity and His covenant people.
* **"for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."**: This climactic and profound statement provides the ultimate reason for David's deep trust, unwavering praise, and confident hope. God has "magnified" (H1431, *gâdal*, to make great, to elevate, to cause to increase in honor) His "word" (H565, *ʼimrâh*, His spoken declarations, promises, and commandments) "above all thy name" (H8034, *shêm*, His reputation, character, authority, and renown). This means that God places the utmost, incomparable importance on the integrity, certainty, and fulfillment of His promises. His word is not merely an expression of His character; it is the ultimate guarantee of His character and actions, serving as the supreme and most reliable indicator of who He is and what He will do.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its profound theological message. The most striking is **Hyperbole** in the phrase "for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." This is a rhetorical exaggeration not meant to suggest that God's word is ontologically greater than God Himself, but rather to emphasize the supreme importance, inviolability, and absolute reliability of God's promises and revealed will. It powerfully underscores God's unwavering commitment to His own declarations. **Parallelism** is evident in the pairing of "lovingkindness and for thy truth," which are two complementary and often conjoined attributes of God's character, frequently linked in Hebrew poetry to describe His covenant faithfulness and reliability. Furthermore, **Metonymy** is present in "thy holy temple" and "thy name." The temple serves as a metonym for God's presence and the designated locus of His worship, while God's "name" is a metonym for His entire character, reputation, authority, and very essence. The verse's structure moves from an outward act of worship to the internal, theological reasons for that worship, culminating in a profound truth that undergirds all genuine trust and praise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 138:2 provides a cornerstone for understanding the very nature of divine faithfulness. It asserts that God's spoken word is not merely an expression of His character but is, in a profound sense, the very guarantor of His character. This means that God's integrity is intrinsically and immutably tied to the fulfillment of His promises. His *chesed* (lovingkindness) and *emeth* (truth) are not abstract qualities but are actively demonstrated and made manifest through His unwavering commitment to what He has declared. This theological truth assures believers that God's plans and purposes, once revealed, are immutable and will surely come to pass, providing an unshakeable foundation for faith, hope, and confident expectation in every circumstance.

* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is not a man, that he should lie")
* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose")
* [Psalm 119:89](/psalms/119-89 "Psalm 119:89 - God's Word is Forever Established")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 138:2 calls us to a worship that is deeply rooted in the unwavering character of God. It reminds us that our praise should not be based on fleeting circumstances or emotional highs, but on the eternal bedrock of His lovingkindness and truth. The profound declaration that God has magnified His word above His name should fill us with immense confidence and provide an anchor for our souls in turbulent times. In a world where promises are often broken, words are cheap, and trustworthiness is scarce, this verse assures us that God's every declaration is utterly reliable and eternally binding. This truth empowers us to trust His promises for our salvation, sanctification, provision, and future hope, knowing that His commitment to His word is the ultimate guarantee of His faithfulness. It challenges us to align our lives with His magnified word, making it the supreme authority and guide for our thoughts, words, and actions, just as God Himself honors it above all else. Our response to such a God should be one of wholehearted worship, confident obedience, and joyful proclamation of His unfailing truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's magnification of His word above His name impact your trust in His promises for your life, especially during times of uncertainty or waiting?**
* **In what practical ways can you demonstrate that you value God's word as highly as He does, allowing it to shape your decisions and priorities?**
* **How do God's lovingkindness and truth serve as the foundational motivations for your personal worship and praise, moving beyond mere ritual to heartfelt adoration?**

### FAQ
**Why did David worship "toward thy holy temple" if the permanent temple wasn't built yet?**

Answer: In David's time, the "holy temple" (Hebrew: *heykâl*) referred to the Tabernacle, which served as the central place of worship and the symbolic dwelling place of God's presence among His people in Jerusalem. While Solomon would later build the permanent Temple, the Tabernacle functioned as the designated sanctuary, the place where God's glory resided and where His people met with Him. Worshiping "toward" it was a common and significant practice in ancient Israel, signifying reverence for God's manifest presence and His covenantal relationship with His people. It was a physical orientation that reflected a spiritual posture of seeking God where He had chosen to reveal Himself and receive worship. This practice is also seen in other psalms, such as [Psalm 5:7](/psalms/5-7 "Psalm 5:7 - Worshiping in Awe of God's Steadfast Love"), where the psalmist declares, "But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple."

**What does it mean that God "magnified His word above all His name"?**

Answer: In the ancient world, a person's "name" (Hebrew: *shêm*) represented their entire character, reputation, authority, and essence. To say that God has "magnified" (exalted, made great, elevated in importance) His "word" (His spoken declarations, promises, and revealed will) above all His name is an incredibly powerful and profound theological statement. It means that God places the utmost, incomparable importance on the integrity and absolute fulfillment of His own declarations. His commitment to His word is so absolute that it is the ultimate expression and guarantee of His character. It assures us that God is utterly trustworthy; His promises are inviolable and will be fulfilled because His very being and reputation are bound to them. This concept is reinforced in passages like [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes Its Purpose"), where God declares that His word "shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." It highlights God's perfect faithfulness and the certainty of His divine plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 138:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's magnified word, lovingkindness, and truth. The Old Testament "word" (Hebrew: *davar* or *imrah*) of God, which David praises as magnified above God's name, becomes flesh in the person of Jesus, the eternal [Logos](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Was God"). As [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh") so eloquently declares, "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus is the living, breathing manifestation of God's truth (*emeth*) and grace (which perfectly aligns with and fulfills the concept of *chesed*, God's steadfast lovingkindness). All of God's promises, His "word" magnified throughout history, find their definitive "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ, as [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ") affirms: "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." When we worship Christ, we are worshiping the very Word of God made manifest, the ultimate expression of God's unwavering faithfulness and covenantal love, who perfectly fulfills every declaration and promise God has ever made, thereby supremely magnifying God's word and name for all eternity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 5:18

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Isaiah 42:21

The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make [it] honourable.

Psalms 56:10

In God will I praise [his] word: in the LORD will I praise [his] word.

Matthew 24:35

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Psalms 5:7

¶ But as for me, I will come [into] thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: [and] in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

Psalms 28:2

Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

1 Kings 8:29

That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, [even] toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.