Songs of Renewal #24

Psalm 138: A Psalm of David:

1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.

4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,

    for they have heard the words of your mouth,

5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,

    for great is the glory of the Lord.

6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,

    but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

    you preserve my life;

you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,

    and your right hand delivers me.

8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

    Do not forsake the work of your hands.

There are three key phrases I'd like to spot from this song that really say it all. First, at the end of verse 3: my strength of soul you increased.  When David was ready to just give up, God renewed his determination to continue on; why? For the glory of the Lord.  The second phrase is found in verse 7: you preserve my life.  David saw that it was the Lord Who kept him going, not his own self will. Finally verse 8 begins: The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. David knew it was God's faithfulness that had seen him through His struggles and would continue to see him through, because God had a plan and purpose for his life.  He has one for me and you too.