PSALM 138 THE ARGUMENT This is a Psalm of thanksgiving to God for those great deliverances which he had granted to David from Saul and other enemies; by the remembrance whereof David encourageth himself to trust in God in all him future difficulties. David praiseth God for his goodness and truth showed to him, and foretelleth that the kings of this earth shall also praise him, Psalms 138:1-6, and professeth the fruit of his trusting in God in the midst of troubles, Psalms 138:7,8. Either,
1. Before the angels, who were represented by the cherubims upon the ark, who are called gods, Psalms 8:5, Psalms 97:7, compared with Hebrews 1:6, Hebrews 2:7, who also are present in the congregations of God's people, 1 Corinthians 11:10. Or rather,
2. Before kings and princes, by comparing this with Psalms 138:4, All kings (provoked by my example) shall praise thee; and with Psalms 119:46, I will speak of thy testimonies before kings. And these are most commonly called gods in Scripture, as Exodus 21:6, Exodus 22:9,28, compared with Deuteronomy 19:17. Besides, David mentions this as something singular and extraordinary, and designed by him; whereas the doing of this before the angels is common to all, and is unavoidably necessary.