King James Version

What Does Psalms 138:8 Mean?

Psalms 138:8 in the King James Version says “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 138 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Psalms 138:8 · KJV

Context

6

Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

7

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

8

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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. This concluding verse of Psalm 138 moves from past and present experience to future confidence. David expresses assurance that God will complete what He has begun, anchoring this confidence in God's enduring mercy and appealing to God's commitment to His own work.

"The LORD will perfect" (יְהוָה יִגְמֹר/Yahweh yigmor) from gamar means to complete, accomplish, finish, bring to perfection. The imperfect tense indicates future certainty: God will complete what He has begun. This doesn't mean life will be easy or trouble-free, but that God's purposes will ultimately be fulfilled. What God starts, He finishes.

"That which concerneth me" (בַּעֲדִי/ba'adi) literally means "for me" or "on my behalf." This personalizes God's work—not abstract divine purposes but specific plans concerning David's life. God has purposes for each believer, plans He is working to accomplish (Jeremiah 29:11). These purposes concern our sanctification, service, and ultimate glorification.

"Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever" (יְהוָה חַסְדְּךָ לְעוֹלָם/Yahweh chasdekha le'olam) provides the foundation for confidence. Chesed (mercy/lovingkindness) is God's covenant love, His steadfast loyal love, His unfailing commitment to His people. Le'olam means forever, perpetually, eternally. This phrase appears as a refrain throughout Psalm 136, repeated 26 times. God's covenant love doesn't fluctuate with circumstances or depend on human faithfulness—it endures forever, unchanging and reliable.

"Forsake not the works of thine own hands" (אַל־תֶּרֶף מַעֲשֵׂי יָדֶיךָ/al-teref ma'asei yadekha) is both appeal and confidence. Raphah means to let go, abandon, forsake, leave. David appeals to God not to abandon what He has made. The phrase "works of thine own hands" acknowledges that believers are God's workmanship, His creation, His handiwork. Psalm 100:3 declares: "Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves."

This appeal reflects confidence in God's character. A craftsman doesn't abandon his masterpiece halfway through. A father doesn't abandon his children. God who began the work will complete it, not because of our worthiness but because of His unchanging love and commitment to His own work.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This confidence that God will perfect His work reflects covenant theology throughout Scripture. God's covenant with Abraham promised descendants, land, and blessing to all nations (Genesis 12:1-3). Though Abraham and his descendants often failed, God remained faithful to His covenant. His purposes were accomplished not through human effort but through divine faithfulness.

The concept of being the work of God's hands appears throughout Scripture. Isaiah 64:8 declares: "But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." Ephesians 2:10 teaches: "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

The refrain "His mercy endureth for ever" appears 41 times in the Old Testament, most notably throughout Psalm 136. This was Israel's great confidence—when everything else failed, when they proved faithless, when circumstances seemed hopeless, God's covenant love remained steadfast. This sustained them through Egyptian slavery, wilderness wandering, Canaanite opposition, cycles of rebellion and judgment, Assyrian threat, Babylonian exile, and Persian domination.

Paul applies this principle explicitly in Philippians 1:6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." The God who began salvation will complete it. He who justified will also glorify (Romans 8:30). The author of our faith is also its finisher (Hebrews 12:2).

This doesn't mean believers can be passive or presumptuous. Philippians 2:12-13 commands: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." God's perfecting work includes human cooperation, yet ultimately depends on divine power, not human effort.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that God will 'perfect' that which concerns you, and how does this provide confidence during incomplete or difficult circumstances?
  2. How does understanding that you are the 'work of God's hands' affect your sense of identity, purpose, and security?
  3. What is the relationship between God's promise to complete His work (Philippians 1:6) and the believer's responsibility to 'work out your salvation' (Philippians 2:12)?
  4. How does God's enduring mercy (<em>chesed</em>) differ from human affection or commitment, and why is this distinction important?
  5. When have you been tempted to doubt God would complete what He began in your life, and how does this verse speak to such doubts?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
יְ֭הוָה1 of 10

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יִגְמֹ֪ר2 of 10

“will perfect”

H1584

to end (in the sense of completion or failure)

בַּ֫עֲדִ֥י3 of 10
H1157

in up to or over against; generally at, beside, among, behind, for, etc

יְ֭הוָה4 of 10

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

חַסְדְּךָ֣5 of 10

“that which concerneth me thy mercy”

H2617

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

לְעוֹלָ֑ם6 of 10

“endureth for ever”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

מַעֲשֵׂ֖י7 of 10

“not the works”

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

יָדֶ֣יךָ8 of 10

“of thine own hands”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

אַל9 of 10
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תֶּֽרֶף׃10 of 10

“forsake”

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

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 138:8 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 138:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Philippians 1:6Psalms 57:21 Thessalonians 5:24Isaiah 26:12Psalms 136:1Psalms 103:17

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