TRV
Translation
King James Version
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
They will sing of the ways of the LORD, for the glory of the LORD is great.
American Standard Version
Yea, they shall sing of the ways of Jehovah; For great is the glory of Jehovah.
World English Bible Messianic
Yes, they will sing of the ways of the LORD; for great is the LORD’s glory.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And they shall sing of the wayes of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord is great.
Young's Literal Translation
And they sing in the ways of Jehovah, For great is the honour of Jehovah.
In the KJVVerse 16,237 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Psalms 138 verses 1–5
1 ¶ A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2 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.
3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4 All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5 Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
I. How he would praise God, compare Psa 111:1. 1. He will praise him with sincerity and zeal - "With my heart, with my whole heart, with that which is within me and with all that is within me, with uprightness of intention and fervency of affection, inward impressions agreeing with outward expressions." 2. With freedom and boldness: Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee, before the princes, and judges, and great men, either those of other nations that visited him or those of his own nation that attended on him, even in their presence. He will not only praise God with his heart, which we may do by pious ejaculations in any company, but will sing praise if there be occasion. Note, Praising God is work which the greatest of men need not be ashamed of; it is the work of angels, the work of heaven. Before the angels (so some understand it), that is, in religious assemblies, where there is a special presence of angels, Co1 11:10. 3. In the way that God had appointed: I will worship towards thy holy temple. The priests alone went into the temple; the people, at the nearest, did but worship towards it, and that they might do at a distance. Christ is our temple, and towards him we must look with an eye of faith, as Mediator between us and God, in all our praises of him. Heaven is God's holy temple, and thitherward we must lift up our eyes in all our addresses to God. Our Father in heaven.
II. What he would praise God for. 1. For the fountain of his comforts - for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth, for thy goodness and for thy promise, mercy hidden in thee and mercy revealed by thee, that God is a gracious God in himself and has engaged to be so to all those that trust in him. For thou hast magnified thy word (thy promise, which is truth) above all thy name. God has made himself known to us in many ways in creation and providence, but most clearly by his word. The judgments of his mouth are magnified even above those of his hand, and greater things are done by them. The wonders of grace exceed the wonders of nature; and what is discovered of God by revelation is much greater than what is discovered by reason. In what God had done for David his faithfulness to his work appeared more illustriously, and redounded more to his glory, than any other of his attributes. Some good interpreters understand it of Christ, the essential Word, and of his gospel, which are magnified above all the discoveries God had before made of himself to the fathers. He that magnified the law, and made that honourable, magnifies the gospel much more. 2. For the streams flowing from that fountain, in which he himself had tasted that the Lord is gracious, Psa 138:3. He had been in affliction, and he remembers, with thankfulness, (1.) The sweet communion he then had with God. He cried, he prayed, and prayed earnestly, and God answered him, gave him to understand that his prayer was accepted and should have a gracious return in due time. The intercourse between God and his saints is carried on by his promises and their prayers. (2.) The sweet communications he then had from God: Thou strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. This was the answer to his prayer, for God gives more than good words, Psa 20:6. Observe, [1.] It was a speedy answer: In the day when I cried. Note, Those that trade with heaven by prayer grow rich by quick returns. While we are yet speaking God hears, Isa 65:24. [2.] It was a spiritual answer. God gave him strength in his soul, and that is a real and valuable answer to the prayer of faith in the day of affliction. If God give us strength in our souls to bear the burdens, resist the temptations, and do the duties of an afflicted state, if he strengthen us to keep hold of himself by faith, to maintain the peace of our own minds and to wait with patience for the issue, we must own that he has answered us, and we are bound to be thankful.
III. What influence he hoped that his praising God would have upon others, Psa 138:4, Psa 138:5. David was himself a king, and therefore he hoped that kings would be wrought upon by his experiences, and his example, to embrace religion; and, if kings became religious, their kingdoms would be every way better. Now, 1. This may have reference to the kings that were neighbours to David, as Hiram and others. "They shall all praise thee." When they visited David, and, after his death, when they sought the presence of Solomon (as all the kings of the earth are expressly said to have done, Ch2 9:23), they readily joined in the worship of the God of Israel. 2. It may look further, to the calling of the Gentiles and the discipling of all nations by the gospel of Christ, of whom it is said that all kings shall fall down before him, Psa 72:11. Now it is here foretold, (1.) That the kings of the earth shall hear the words of God. All that came near David should hear them from him, Psa 119:46. In the latter days the preachers of the gospel should be sent into all the world. (2.) That then they shall praise God, as all those have reason to do that hear his word, and receive it in the light and love of it, Act 13:48. (3.) That they shall sing in the ways of the Lord, in the ways of his providence and grace towards them; they shall rejoice in God, and give glory to him, however he is pleased to deal with them in the ways of their duty and obedience to him. Note, Those that walk in the ways of the Lord have reason to sing in those ways, to go on in them with a great deal of cheerfulness, for they are ways of pleasantness, and it becomes us to be pleasant in them; and, if we are so, great is the glory of the Lord. It is very much for the honour of God that kings should walk in his ways, and that all those who walk in them should sing in them, and so proclaim to all the world that he is a good Master and his work its own wages.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–5. Public domain.
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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 138
"And let them sing in the paths of the Lord, that great is the glory of the Lord" [Psalm 138:5]. Let all the kings of the earth sing in the paths of the Lord. In what paths? Those that are spoken of above, "in Your mercy and Your truth." Let not then the kings of the earth be proud, let them be humble. Then let them sing in the ways of the Lord, if they be humble: let them love, and they shall sing. We know travellers that sing; they sing, and hasten to reach the end of their journey. There are evil songs, such as belong to the old man; to the new man belongs a new song. Let then the kings of the earth too walk in Your paths, let them walk and sing in Your paths. Sing what? That "great is the glory of the Lord," not of kings.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 138:5 presents a magnificent prophetic vision where all earthly rulers and, by extension, all nations will joyfully sing in the ways of the LORD, compelled by the undeniable and overwhelming greatness of His glory. This declaration transcends individual thanksgiving to proclaim a future of universal adoration, asserting God's supreme sovereignty over all creation and anticipating a time when His inherent majesty will evoke worship from every corner of the earth, leading to a global embrace of His righteous character and providential rule.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 138:5 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of universal worship. The primary device is Anticipation, as the verse looks forward to a future eschatological time when all nations will acknowledge God's greatness, creating a sense of hopeful expectation and prophetic certainty. This anticipation is coupled with Hyperbole, as the idea of "all the kings of the earth" singing in the ways of the LORD can be understood as a hyperbolic expression for the universal and complete recognition of God's sovereignty, emphasizing the immense scope of His future reign and the comprehensive nature of the praise. The phrase "the ways of the LORD" functions as a Metonymy, where "ways" stands for God's character, His divine laws, His actions, and His providential dealings with humanity. The act of "singing" serves as powerful Symbolism for joyful, unreserved worship, heartfelt submission, and enthusiastic celebration. Finally, the declaration of God's "great glory" is a profound statement of Divine Attribute, highlighting a core characteristic of God that is inherently compelling and serves as the ultimate motivation for universal adoration.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 138:5 stands as a profound declaration of God's ultimate sovereignty and the eschatological hope of universal worship. It underscores the biblical truth that God's glory is not confined to a single nation or people group but is destined to be recognized by all peoples, drawing them into joyful adoration. This vision aligns seamlessly with the broader prophetic narrative of the Old Testament, where Israel's unique relationship with God ultimately serves as a conduit through which all nations will come to know and worship Him. The "great glory of the LORD" is presented as the irresistible force that compels this universal recognition, demonstrating that true worship is a natural, inevitable, and joyous response to the revelation of God's inherent majesty, power, and faithfulness. This verse reminds believers that their present worship is not merely an isolated act but a participation in a grand, unfolding cosmic drama—a foretaste of a future reality where all creation will bow before the King of kings.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 138:5 offers profound encouragement and a clear call to action for believers today. It reminds us that God's plan is ultimately triumphant, and His glory will be universally acknowledged, regardless of present circumstances or opposition. This truth should fill us with unwavering hope and inspire us to live lives that authentically reflect the greatness of the God we serve. Our worship, whether expressed individually in quiet devotion or corporately in congregational praise, is not merely a private act but a participation in a grand, unfolding narrative of cosmic adoration. We are called to embody the joy of "singing in the ways of the LORD," finding deep delight in His character, His righteous commands, and His providential care in every aspect of our lives. By living righteously, speaking truthfully, and testifying to His goodness and faithfulness, we actively contribute to the revelation of His glory in a world that desperately needs to see and acknowledge it. This verse challenges us to consider how our daily lives can become a living testament to the "great glory of the LORD," drawing others to join in the inevitable and joyful chorus of universal praise.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Does this verse imply that all people will be saved?
Answer: While Psalms 138:5 anticipates a universal recognition and praise of the LORD by "all the kings of the earth" and, by extension, all nations, it does not explicitly state that all individuals will be saved in a soteriological sense. Rather, it speaks to the ultimate triumph of God's sovereignty and the undeniable revelation of His glory, which will compel a form of acknowledgment or worship from all creation. This can be understood as a prophetic vision of God's ultimate victory and the establishment of His kingdom, where His authority is universally recognized, even if not all individuals personally enter into a saving relationship with Him. Other passages, such as Philippians 2:10-11, also speak of universal bowing and confession, which can encompass both willing adoration and compelled submission to God's ultimate authority.
What are "the ways of the LORD" mentioned in this verse?
Answer: "The ways of the LORD" (Hebrew: derek H1870) refers comprehensively to God's character, His righteous path, His divine decrees, His moral standards, and His providential dealings with humanity. It encompasses the entirety of His revealed will and the manner in which He governs the world. To "sing in the ways of the LORD" means to joyfully celebrate and embrace His nature, His commands, and His actions. It implies finding delight and expressing praise for the very essence of who God is and how He operates in the world, as revealed in His Word and in history. This concept is central to biblical wisdom literature, which often calls believers to walk in God's ways, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 138:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. He is the very embodiment and perfect revelation of the "glory of the LORD," for in Him, "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" (John 1:14). Jesus also declares Himself to be "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), meaning that to "sing in the ways of the LORD" is to joyfully walk in Christ, embracing His teachings, following His example, and trusting in His atoning sacrifice. The universal praise anticipated in this psalm is realized through Christ's triumphant resurrection and ascension, which breaks down all barriers between peoples and draws all nations to Himself. The New Testament envisions a future where "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11). Thus, the song in the ways of the LORD becomes the song of the Lamb, uniting a redeemed humanity from every tribe and tongue in adoration of God's great glory, fully revealed and perfectly expressed in His Son.