◄ Psalm 138:4 ►
All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, O LORD, when they hear the words of Your mouth.
Study Bible
All the kings of the earth
This phrase emphasizes the universal scope of God's influence and authority. In the Hebrew text, the word for "kings" is "מַלְכֵי" (malkhei), which denotes rulers or sovereigns. Historically, kings were seen as the ultimate authority in their realms, yet this verse prophetically envisions a time when all earthly rulers will recognize a higher divine authority. This reflects the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over all nations, as seen in passages like Psalm 2, where the kings of the earth are called to serve the Lord with reverence.

will give You thanks, O LORD
The act of giving thanks, or "יֹודוּךָ" (yodukha) in Hebrew, is a profound acknowledgment of God's goodness and deeds. The use of "O LORD" (Yahweh) signifies a personal and covenantal relationship between God and His people. This thanksgiving is not just a ritualistic act but a heartfelt response to God's revealed character and works. In a conservative Christian perspective, this anticipates the eschatological fulfillment when every knee will bow and every tongue confess the Lordship of Christ, as echoed in Philippians 2:10-11.

when they hear the words of Your mouth
The phrase "the words of Your mouth" underscores the power and authority of God's spoken word. In Hebrew, "דִּבְרֵי פִיךָ" (divrei fikha) conveys the idea of divine revelation. Throughout Scripture, God's word is depicted as living and active, capable of transforming hearts and nations. Historically, the words of God were delivered through prophets, and ultimately through Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh (John 1:14). This verse suggests that the revelation of God's truth will lead to a global acknowledgment of His sovereignty, inspiring worship and gratitude among all peoples.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Kings of the Earth
This phrase refers to the rulers and leaders of various nations. In the context of this Psalm, it signifies a universal acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and the power of His word.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His promises. The LORD is the central figure to whom thanks and praise are directed.

3. The Words of Your Mouth
This refers to God's divine revelation, His commandments, and promises. It highlights the power and authority of God's spoken word.
Teaching Points
Universal Recognition of God's Sovereignty
The verse anticipates a time when all leaders will acknowledge God's authority. Believers can take comfort in knowing that God's sovereignty will ultimately be recognized by all.

The Power of God's Word
The "words of Your mouth" emphasize the transformative power of God's word. Christians are encouraged to immerse themselves in Scripture, trusting in its ability to change hearts and minds.

The Role of Believers in Proclaiming God's Word
As God's ambassadors, believers have the responsibility to share His word, contributing to the fulfillment of this prophecy where all will hear and give thanks.

Thanksgiving as a Response to Revelation
The appropriate response to hearing God's word is thanksgiving. Believers should cultivate a heart of gratitude, recognizing the privilege of knowing God's truth.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty by "all the kings of the earth" in Psalm 138:4 encourage you in your faith journey?

2. In what ways can you actively participate in spreading the "words of [God's] mouth" to those around you?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced the power of God's word in your life. How did it lead you to give thanks?

4. How does the theme of universal recognition of God in Psalm 138:4 connect with the vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21:24?

5. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a heart of gratitude in response to God's revelation in your daily life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Philippians 2:10-11
This passage speaks of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, which parallels the universal acknowledgment of God by the kings of the earth in Psalm 138:4.

Revelation 21:24
This verse describes the nations walking by the light of God's glory, and the kings of the earth bringing their splendor into the New Jerusalem, echoing the theme of global recognition of God's majesty.

Isaiah 52:15
This prophecy speaks of kings shutting their mouths because of what they have seen and heard, similar to the kings giving thanks upon hearing God's words in Psalm 138:4.
Sermons
Courage in Praising GodPsalm 138:1-8
Exultation in GodS. Conway Psalm 138:1-8
Moral Features of a Good Man's LifeHomilistPsalm 138:1-8
Open Praise and Public ConfessionPsalm 138:1-8
Whole-Hearted Praise Before the WorldPsalm 138:1-8
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Celebrate, Confess, Ears, Kings, Mouth, O, Praise, Sayings, Thanks
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 138:1-5

     8352   thankfulness

Library
Faith in Perfection
In the opening, I must remark that this is not the heritage of all mankind. The word, "me," in the text, cannot be appropriated by any man, unless he, in some respects, resembles the character of David, who penned this psalm. The text, however, itself, is its own guard. If you look at it, you will see that there is in its bowels a full description of a true Christian. I will ask you three questions suggested by the words themselves, and according to your answer to these three questions, shall be …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Question of the Contemplative Life
I. Is the Contemplative Life wholly confined to the Intellect, or does the Will enter into it? S. Thomas, On the Beatific Vision, I., xii. 7 ad 3m II. Do the Moral Virtues pertain to the Contemplative Life? S. Augustine, Of the City of God, xix. 19 III. Does the Contemplative Life comprise many Acts? S. Augustine, Of the Perfection of Human Righteousness, viii. 18 " Ep., cxxx. ad probam IV. Does the Contemplative Life consist solely in the Contemplation of God, or in the Consideration …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Epistle Xlvii. To Dominicus, Bishop.
To Dominicus, Bishop. Gregory to Dominicus, Bishop of Carthage [1454] . We have received with the utmost gratification the letters of your Fraternity, which have reached us somewhat late by the hands of Donatus and Quodvultdeus, our most reverend brethren and fellow-bishops, and also Victor the deacon with Agilegius the notary. And though we thought that we had suffered loss from the tardiness of their coming, yet we find gain from their more abundant charity; seeing that from this delay in point …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Coming Revival
"Wilt Thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?"--PS. lxxxv. 6. "O Lord, revive Thy work in the midst of the years."--HAB. iii. 2. "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thy right hand shall save me."--PS. cxxxviii. 7. "I dwell with him that is of a humble and contrite heart, to revive the heart of the contrite ones."--ISA. lvii. 15. "Come, and let us return to the Lord: for He hath torn, and He will heal us. He will revive us."--HOS. vi. 1, 2. The Coming …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession

Forasmuch as Each Man is a Part of the Human Race...
1. Forasmuch as each man is a part of the human race, and human nature is something social, and hath for a great and natural good, the power also of friendship; on this account God willed to create all men out of one, in order that they might be held in their society not only by likeness of kind, but also by bond of kindred. Therefore the first natural bond of human society is man and wife. Nor did God create these each by himself, and join them together as alien by birth: but He created the one …
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Prayer Out of the Deep.
Hear my prayer, O God; and hide not Thyself from my petition. Take heed unto me and hear me; how I mourn in my prayer and am vexed.--Psalm iv. 1, 2. In my trouble I will call upon the Lord, and complain unto my God; so shall He hear my voice out of His holy temple, and my complaint shall come before Him; it shall enter even into His ears.--Ps. xviii. 5, 6. The Lord is nigh unto them that call upon Him; He also will hear their cry, and will help them.--Psalm cxlv. 18, 19. In the day when I cried …
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep

Wherefore a Few Witnesses, which the Lord Deigns to Suggest to My Mind...
32. Wherefore a few witnesses, which the Lord deigns to suggest to my mind, I proceed to mention, from out the teaching of Christ concerning humility, such as perhaps may be enough for my purpose. His discourse, the first which He delivered to His disciples at greater length, began from this. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." [2105] And these without all controversy we take to be humble. The faith of that Centurion He on this account chiefly praised, and said …
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Letter Xliii a Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey.
A Consolatory Letter to the Parents of Geoffrey. There is no reason to mourn a son as lost who is a religious, still less to fear for his delicacy of constitution. 1. If God makes your son His son also, what do you lose or what does he himself lose? Being rich he becomes richer; being already high born, of still nobler lineage; being illustrious, he gains greater renown; and--what is more than all--once a sinner he is now a saint. He must be prepared for the Kingdom that has been prepared for him …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

That the Ruler Should be Always Chief in Action.
The ruler should always be chief in action, that by his living he may point out the way of life to those that are put under him, and that the flock, which follows the voice and manners of the shepherd, may learn how to walk better through example than through words. For he who is required by the necessity of his position to speak the highest things is compelled by the same necessity to exhibit the highest things. For that voice more readily penetrates the hearer's heart, which the speaker's life …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

How those that are at Variance and those that are at Peace are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 23.) Differently to be admonished are those that are at variance and those that are at peace. For those that are at variance are to be admonished to know most certainly that, in whatever virtues they may abound, they can by no means become spiritual if they neglect becoming united to their neighbours by concord. For it is written, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace (Gal. v. 22). He then that has no care to keep peace refuses to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Hence Paul …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Sense in Which, and End for which all Things were Delivered to the Incarnate Son.
For whereas man sinned, and is fallen, and by his fall all things are in confusion: death prevailed from Adam to Moses (cf. Rom. v. 14), the earth was cursed, Hades was opened, Paradise shut, Heaven offended, man, lastly, corrupted and brutalised (cf. Ps. xlix. 12), while the devil was exulting against us;--then God, in His loving-kindness, not willing man made in His own image to perish, said, Whom shall I send, and who will go?' (Isa. vi. 8). But while all held their peace, the Son [441] said, …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Covenant Duties.
It is here proposed to show, that every incumbent duty ought, in suitable circumstances, to be engaged to in the exercise of Covenanting. The law and covenant of God are co-extensive; and what is enjoined in the one is confirmed in the other. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. The former are made and fulfilled by its glorious Originator; the latter are enjoined and obligatory on man. The duties of that Covenant are God's law; and the demands of the law are all made …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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