King James Version

What Does Psalms 138:2 Mean?

Psalms 138:2 in the King James Version says “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magni...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 138 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Psalms 138:2 · KJV

Truth

Context

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.

Read Psalms 138 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. This verse deepens David's worship by specifying its direction, motivation, and remarkable theological claim about God's word.

"I will worship toward thy holy temple" (אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶה אֶל־הֵיכַל קָדְשְׁךָ/eshtachaveh el-heikhal qodshekha) indicates orientation toward God's dwelling place. Shachah means to bow down, prostrate oneself—physical posture expressing spiritual submission. The temple represented God's presence among His people, the meeting place between holy God and sinful humanity. Facing the temple in prayer acknowledged God's holiness and covenant faithfulness (see 1 Kings 8:29-30, Daniel 6:10).

"Praise thy name" emphasizes God's revealed character. In Hebrew thought, a name wasn't merely a label but expressed essential nature. God's name encompasses His attributes, actions, and covenant relationship with His people. To praise God's name is to celebrate who He has revealed Himself to be.

"For thy lovingkindness" (חַסְדְּךָ/chasdekha) uses chesed, one of the Old Testament's richest theological terms—covenant love, loyal love, steadfast mercy, unfailing kindness. This isn't sentimental affection but committed, faithful love rooted in covenant promises. God's chesed endures forever, remaining faithful even when His people prove faithless.

"And for thy truth" (אֲמִתֶּךָ/amitekha) from emet means faithfulness, reliability, truth, stability. God's truth refers to His absolute trustworthiness—He cannot lie, He keeps His promises, His word is completely reliable. While human words often prove empty, God's word is truth itself.

The verse's climax is astonishing: "thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name" (הִגְדַּלְתָּ עַל־כָּל־שִׁמְךָ אִמְרָתֶךָ/higdalta al-kol-shimkha imratekha). God has exalted, elevated, magnified His word even above His name—His revealed character. This emphasizes the supreme authority and reliability of God's word. When God speaks, His reputation is at stake. He has so committed Himself to His promises that His word becomes the ultimate expression of His character.

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Historical & Cultural Context

David wrote this psalm during a period when the temple had not yet been built—Solomon would later construct it. However, the tabernacle and ark of the covenant represented God's presence. David's desire to build a permanent temple for God (2 Samuel 7) reflected his deep reverence for God's dwelling place among His people.

The concept of worshiping toward God's holy place becomes significant in later biblical history. When Solomon dedicated the temple, he prayed that when God's people pray toward the temple, God would hear from heaven (1 Kings 8:29-30). During Babylonian exile, Daniel opened his windows toward Jerusalem to pray (Daniel 6:10), maintaining connection with God's dwelling place even in captivity.

God's chesed (lovingkindness) and emet (truth/faithfulness) frequently appear together in Scripture, representing God's covenant character. Exodus 34:6 proclaims: "The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth." These attributes define God's covenant relationship with Israel.

The remarkable statement that God has magnified His word above His name speaks to the absolute reliability of divine promises. God has so bound Himself to His word that His reputation rests on keeping His promises. This anticipates the New Testament revelation of Christ as the Word made flesh (John 1:14)—the ultimate magnification of God's word. Hebrews 1:1-3 declares that Christ is the supreme revelation of God, the exact representation of His nature.

Throughout church history, this verse has grounded confidence in Scripture's authority. If God has exalted His word above even His name, then Scripture deserves supreme trust and submission. The Reformation's sola scriptura principle—Scripture alone as final authority—reflects this verse's theology.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that God has 'magnified His word above all His name,' and how does this establish Scripture's authority?
  2. How do God's lovingkindness (<em>chesed</em>) and truth (<em>emet</em>) work together in His dealings with humanity?
  3. What is the significance of worshiping 'toward' God's holy temple—how does physical orientation in prayer relate to spiritual focus?
  4. How does Christ as the Word made flesh (John 1:14) represent the ultimate fulfillment of God magnifying His word?
  5. In what ways might believers today fail to honor God's word as supreme authority, and how does this verse call us to biblical fidelity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֨ה1 of 17

“I will worship”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

אֶל2 of 17
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הֵיכַ֪ל3 of 17

“temple”

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

קָדְשְׁךָ֡4 of 17

“toward thy holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

וְא֘וֹדֶ֤ה5 of 17

“and praise”

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

אֶת6 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שִׁ֝מְךָ֗7 of 17

“above all thy name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

עַל8 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

חַסְדְּךָ֥9 of 17

“for thy lovingkindness”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

וְעַל10 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ11 of 17

“and for thy truth”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

כִּֽי12 of 17
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִגְדַּ֥לְתָּ13 of 17

“for thou hast magnified”

H1431

to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)

עַל14 of 17
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל15 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שִׁ֝מְךָ֗16 of 17

“above all thy name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃17 of 17

“thy word”

H565

an utterance

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 138:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 138:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 5:18Psalms 56:10Isaiah 42:21Matthew 24:35Psalms 56:41 Kings 8:29-30

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