Psalm 138:2
New International Version
I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame.

New Living Translation
I bow before your holy Temple as I worship. I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness; for your promises are backed by all the honor of your name.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

New American Standard Bible
I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your mercy and Your truth; For You have made Your word great according to all Your name.

NASB 1995
I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.

NASB 1977
I will bow down toward Thy holy temple, And give thanks to Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and Thy truth; For Thou hast magnified Thy word according to all Thy name.

Legacy Standard Bible
I will worship toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name.

Amplified Bible
I will bow down [in worship] toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word together with Your name.

Christian Standard Bible
I will bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your constant love and truth. You have exalted your name and your promise above everything else.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I will bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your constant love and truth. You have exalted Your name and Your promise above everything else.

American Standard Version
I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Contemporary English Version
I worship at your holy temple and praise you for your love and your faithfulness. You were true to your word and made yourself more famous than ever before.

English Revised Version
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I will bow toward your holy temple. I will give thanks to your name because of your mercy and truth. You have made your name and your promise greater than everything.

Good News Translation
I face your holy Temple, bow down, and praise your name because of your constant love and faithfulness, because you have shown that your name and your commands are supreme.

International Standard Version
I will bow down in worship toward your holy Temple and give thanks to your name for your gracious love and truth, for you have done great things to carry out your word consistent with your name.

Majority Standard Bible
I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.

NET Bible
I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your name, because of your loyal love and faithfulness, for you have exalted your promise above the entire sky.

New Heart English Bible
I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your word above all.

Webster's Bible Translation
I will worship towards thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

World English Bible
I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
I bow myself toward Your holy temple, "" And I confess Your Name, "" For Your kindness, and for Your truth, "" For You have made Your saying great above all Your Name.

Young's Literal Translation
I bow myself toward Thy holy temple, And I confess Thy name, For Thy kindness, and for Thy truth, For Thou hast made great Thy saying above all Thy name.

Smith's Literal Translation
I will worship to thy holy temple, and I will praise thy name for thy mercy and for thy truth: for thou didst magnify thy word over all thy name.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I will worship towards thy holy temple, and I will give glory to thy name. For thy mercy, and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy holy name above all.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I will adore before your holy temple, and I will confess your name: it is above your mercy and your truth. For you have magnified your holy name above all.

New American Bible
I bow low toward your holy temple; I praise your name for your mercy and faithfulness. For you have exalted over all your name and your promise.

New Revised Standard Version
I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness; for you have exalted your name and your word above everything.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I will worship in thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth; for thou hast magnified thy word above every name.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I shall worship in the temple of your holiness and I shall give thanks to your Name for your kindness and for your truth, because you have extolled your Word above every name!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
I will bow down toward Thy holy temple, And give thanks unto Thy name for Thy mercy and for Thy truth; For Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and give thanks to thy name, on account of thy mercy and thy truth; for thou hast magnified thy holy name above every thing.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
I Will Give You Thanks with All My Heart
1Of David. I give You thanks with all my heart; before the gods I sing Your praises. 2I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else. 3On the day I called, You answered me; You emboldened me and strengthened my soul.…

Cross References
John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus 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.

Isaiah 42:8
I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.

John 17:6
I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.

Matthew 6:9
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

Revelation 19:13
He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God.

Exodus 34:5-7
And the LORD descended in a cloud, stood with him there, and proclaimed His name, the LORD. / Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: “The LORD, the LORD God, is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, / maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers on their children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”

John 14:13
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Psalm 119:89
Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Hebrews 1:3-4
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. / So He became as far superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is excellent beyond theirs.

Isaiah 55:11
so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

1 John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.

Psalm 56:4
In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Acts 4:12
Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Psalm 119:160
The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.


Treasury of Scripture

I will worship toward your holy temple, and praise your name for your loving kindness and for your truth: for you have magnified your word above all your name.

toward

Psalm 5:7
But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

Psalm 28:2
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

Psalm 99:5,9
Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy…

and praise

Psalm 36:5,6
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds…

Psalm 85:10
Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Psalm 86:15
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

for thou hast

Psalm 56:4,10
In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me…

Isaiah 42:21
The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.

Matthew 5:18
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

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Bow Celebrate Exalted Faith Faithfulness Greater Holiness Holy Kindness Love Loving Magnified Mercy Praise Praising Steadfast Temple Thanks Towards Truth Unchanging Word Worship
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Bow Celebrate Exalted Faith Faithfulness Greater Holiness Holy Kindness Love Loving Magnified Mercy Praise Praising Steadfast Temple Thanks Towards Truth Unchanging Word Worship
Psalm 138
1. David praises God for the truth of his word
4. He prophesies that the kings of the earth shall praise God
7. He professes his confidence in God














I will bow down toward Your holy temple
This phrase reflects an act of worship and reverence. The Hebrew word for "bow down" is "שָׁחָה" (shachah), which implies a deep, respectful prostration before God. Historically, the temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish worship, symbolizing God's presence among His people. The act of bowing toward the temple signifies acknowledging God's holiness and sovereignty. In a broader Christian context, this can be seen as a call to direct our worship and prayers toward God, recognizing His dwelling not just in physical structures but within the hearts of believers.

and give thanks to Your name
The phrase "give thanks" comes from the Hebrew "יָדָה" (yadah), which means to praise or confess. "Your name" refers to God's character and reputation, as revealed through His actions and promises. In biblical times, a name was more than a label; it represented the essence of a person. Thus, giving thanks to God's name is an acknowledgment of His attributes—His love, faithfulness, and power. This act of gratitude is central to worship, reminding believers of God's unchanging nature and His deeds throughout history.

for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness
"Loving devotion" is translated from the Hebrew "חֶסֶד" (chesed), a term rich with meaning, often rendered as "steadfast love" or "mercy." It denotes God's covenantal love, a loyal and enduring commitment to His people. "Faithfulness" comes from "אֱמוּנָה" (emunah), indicating reliability and trustworthiness. Together, these attributes highlight God's unwavering commitment to His promises. For Christians, this is a source of comfort and assurance, knowing that God's love and faithfulness are constant, even amidst life's uncertainties.

You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else
The exaltation of God's "name" and "word" underscores their supreme importance. In Hebrew culture, God's name was revered, representing His divine authority and holiness. His "word" (דָּבָר, dabar) refers to His commands, promises, and revelations. By exalting His name and word, God affirms their ultimate authority and truth. For believers, this is a call to prioritize God's word in their lives, recognizing it as the foundation of faith and practice. It also emphasizes the power and reliability of God's promises, which are fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the living Word.

(2) Notice that "loving-kindness" and "truth" are joined as inseparable attributes of Jehovah in His relation to the chosen race.

For thou hast magnified--i.e., the promise made for help and deliverance has been fulfilled, and more than fulfilled. The psalmist often speaks of Jehovah's name, or reputation, or honour being at stake. Here the poet can say that the praise won is even beyond what might have been expected. It is true this would have been expressed more in accordance with our expectation by "Thou hast magnified Thy Name above Thy promise;" but comp. Psalm 48:10 for a similar thought, and for the language comp. Tennyson's:

"I am "become a name."

The LXX. and Vulg. felt the difficulty too great, and render "Thy holy one," instead of "Thy word."

Verse 2. - I will worship toward thy holy temple. The term "temple" here must designate the tabernacle (comp. Psalm 5:8). And praise thy Name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth. "Mercy" and "truth" are God's two highest attributes (Exodus 34:6). They were especially shown to Israel in God's promises and his fidelity to them. For thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name. Some would amend the text, and read אמתך, "thy truth," for, אמרתך "thy Word." But if we keep the text, and understand אמרתך as "thy promises," the sense will not be very different. God has magnified his promise, and his faithfulness to it, above all his other revealed attributes.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
I will bow down
אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֨ה (’eš·ta·ḥă·weh)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

toward
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Your holy
קָדְשְׁךָ֡ (qāḏ·šə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

temple
הֵיכַ֪ל (hê·ḵal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple

and give thanks
וְא֘וֹדֶ֤ה (wə·’ō·w·ḏeh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular
Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan

to Your name
שְׁמֶ֗ךָ (šə·me·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Your loving devotion
חַסְדְּךָ֥ (ḥas·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

and
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Your faithfulness;
אֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ (’ă·mit·te·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

You
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

have exalted
הִגְדַּ֥לְתָּ (hiḡ·dal·tā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

Your name
שִׁ֝מְךָ֗ (mə·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

and Your word
אִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃ (’im·rā·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 565: Utterance, speech, word

above
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

all else.
כָּל־ (kā·lō·ši-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every


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OT Poetry: Psalm 138:2 I will bow down toward your holy (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 138:1
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