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Psalm 138 Explained: Praising God in Every Season of Life
By Dave Jenkins
Psalm 138 shows us what faith looks like after it has been tested. After the sorrow and exile of Psalm 137, this psalm lifts our eyes to the steadfast love, faithfulness, and purposes of God. David praises the Lord with his whole heart not because life is easier, but because God is still faithful.
In this episode of Walking Through the Psalms, we see that bold praise flows from confidence in God’s character, not comfort in our circumstances. This psalm reminds us that God hears His people, strengthens them in trouble, preserves them in the midst of conflict, and fulfills His purpose for their lives.
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What Does Psalm 138 Teach About Praising God in Every Season?
Psalm 138 teaches that all praise flows from confidence in God’s character, not comfort in our circumstances. David begins with wholehearted thanksgiving, praising the Lord publicly in a world filled with false worship. He anchors his praise in God’s steadfast love, faithfulness, and Word.
This psalm moves from personal praise to global vision. Worship is not meant to stay private. It declares the glory of God to the world. Even in the midst of trouble, David declares that the Lord preserves his life and stretches out His hand against his enemies.
The psalm concludes with a strong statement of confidence: the Lord will fulfill His purpose for His people. This is not self-confidence, but God-centered confidence rooted in His enduring love.
Key Takeaways from Psalm 138
- Praise is rooted in God’s character, not our circumstances
- Worship is both personal and a witness to the world
- God is present and active in the midst of trouble
- The Lord will fulfill His purpose for His people
- Confidence in God produces bold, enduring praise
How Psalm 138 Points to Christ
Psalm 138 ultimately points us to Jesus Christ. Jesus perfectly trusted the Father, walked in the midst of trouble, and fulfilled God’s redemptive purposes through His life, death, and resurrection. Because of Christ, believers can rest in the confidence that God is at work and will complete what He has begun.
Final Encouragement
Dear Christian, Psalm 138 reminds us that faith does not end in sorrow. It grows through it. The same God you trust in hardship is the same God you can praise with confidence today.
Lift your voice not because life is easy, but because God is faithful. He is present. He is at work. And He will fulfill His purpose.
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Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
