What does Psalm 138:5 reveal about God's glory and its impact on us? The verse itself Psalm 138:5: “and they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, for great is the glory of the LORD.” Immediate observations • “They” points beyond David to every future worshiper. • “Shall sing” signals an inevitable, joyful response. • “Ways of the LORD” refers to His actions, character, and covenant faithfulness (cf. Psalm 103:7). • The cause of the singing is “the glory of the LORD,” described as “great”—immense, unequaled, utterly compelling. What Scripture means by God’s glory • Glory (Hebrew kāḇôḏ) denotes weight, splendor, and honor—God’s visible majesty and moral perfection (Exodus 33:18-19; Isaiah 6:3). • It is intrinsic, not borrowed; no one confers glory upon Him—it is who He is (Psalm 96:6). • His glory is revealed through creation (Psalm 19:1), redemption (Exodus 14:17-18), and especially through Christ (John 1:14). How Psalm 138:5 pictures the impact of that glory on us 1. It awakens praise • Exposure to His greatness naturally erupts in song. Silence becomes impossible (Psalm 40:3). 2. It refocuses attention on His “ways” • We celebrate not vague notions of deity but concrete deeds—mercy, justice, covenant love (Psalm 145:4-7). 3. It unites the worshiping community • “They shall sing” links hearts in shared awe. Glory removes self-centeredness and fosters fellowship around One greater than all (Romans 15:6). 4. It fuels witness to the nations • Singing of His ways broadcasts His glory beyond Israel to all peoples (Psalm 96:3; Revelation 15:3-4). 5. It brings courage and confidence • If His glory is great, no enemy can prevail (Psalm 138:7-8). Believers stand secure under the radiance of Divine sovereignty. Why this matters for daily life • Worship becomes a lifestyle: viewing every circumstance as an arena to declare His greatness (Colossians 3:16-17). • Trials are reframed: hardship cannot diminish His glory, and therefore cannot ultimately defeat His people (2 Corinthians 4:16-17). • Mission gains urgency: the world must hear the song of the redeemed, because God’s glory deserves universal acknowledgment (Psalm 67:3-4). • Humility grows: confronted with infinite splendor, pride evaporates, making room for wholehearted obedience (Micah 6:8). • Joy deepens: the weight of His glory steadies the soul, producing durable gladness regardless of shifting circumstances (Psalm 16:11). Living it out • Meditate on His “ways” recorded in Scripture—creation, covenant, cross, resurrection—and let that meditation overflow in verbal praise. • Sing—alone, with family, in congregation—because singing is the God-ordained avenue for declaring His glory. • Tell someone this week about a specific way you have seen God act; your testimony amplifies His glory to others. • Consciously shift focus from personal achievement to God’s greatness; make His glory the measure of success (1 Corinthians 10:31). Summary Psalm 138:5 teaches that the sheer magnitude of God’s glory compels His people to sing about His deeds. His radiant greatness does not stay confined to heaven; it spills over into human hearts, shaping worship, fostering unity, energizing witness, and anchoring joy. The verse invites us to live as ongoing echoes of that glory, resounding His praise in every sphere of life. |
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