Devotional - Psalm 138

A Thank-You Letter From David

Psalm 138 (NRSVUE)

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;    

before the gods I sing your praise;

² 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.

³ On the day I called, you answered me;    

you increased my strength of soul.

⁴ All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,    

for they have heard the words of your mouth.

⁵ They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,    

for great is the glory of the Lord.

⁶ For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,    

but the haughty he perceives from far away.

⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,    

you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;you stretch out your hand,    

and your right hand delivers me.

⁸ The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;   

 your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.    

Do not forsake the work of your hands.

I try to always write a thank‑you note to someone who has shown me kindness or hospitality. Earlier this summer, my husband and I were invited to dinner at our friend’s home in Lakeland, FL. It wasn’t a simple, last‑minute meal. Deedra served the finest steak dinner, which Bob, her husband grilled, with all the delicious sides, and the crowning moment came when she pulled a peach cobbler—still bubbling—from the oven and topped it with Blue Bell’s homemade vanilla ice cream! It was a special evening deserving of a thank-you card.

Meals like this don’t happen as often as they used to. Busy schedules, countless restaurant options, and the ease of “no fuss, no mess” make eating out so much more attractive. That’s why her hospitality meant so much and a thank-you card was a perfect way to show her our appreciation.

Like my thank-you note to my dear friend, Psalm 138 is David’s thank‑you note to God. He acknowledges God’s steadfast love, God’s faithfulness, and the ways God has answered him in moments of need. David doesn’t wait for a special occasion; he simply recognizes God’s kindness and responds with many thanks.

We do the same through worship. Many of our hymns are thank‑you notes set to music. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing is one of them—a reminder that every good gift, every moment of mercy, every guiding hand comes from God’s grace.

David’s words remind us to slow down and notice God’s generosity throughout our days. And just like a handwritten note to a friend, our gratitude becomes an offering—simple, sincere, and precious to the One who never stops pouring goodness into our lives. 

Thank you, God.