Psalms 138:2
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.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that God has 'magnified His word above all His name,' and how does this establish Scripture's authority?
- How do God's lovingkindness (<em>chesed</em>) and truth (<em>emet</em>) work together in His dealings with humanity?
- What is the significance of worshiping 'toward' God's holy temple—how does physical orientation in prayer relate to spiritual focus?
- How does Christ as the Word made flesh (John 1:14) represent the ultimate fulfillment of God magnifying His word?
- 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?
Analysis & 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.