Christian prayer
Psalm 138
Psalm 138 in its original text and with its meaning, a biblical prayer of thanksgiving and trust.
- 8 verses
- Under a minute to recite
- From the Bible
Show
- 1
לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ אוֹדְךָ֥ בְכָל־לִבִּ֑י נֶ֖גֶד אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲזַמְּרֶֽךָּ׃
A Psalm of David. I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
- 2
אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֨ה אֶל־הֵיכַ֪ל קָדְשְׁךָ֡ וְא֘וֹדֶ֤ה אֶת־שְׁמֶ֗ךָ עַל־חַסְדְּךָ֥ וְעַל־אֲמִתֶּ֑ךָ כִּֽי־הִגְדַּ֥לְתָּ עַל־כָּל־שִׁ֝מְךָ֗ אִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
- 3
בְּי֣וֹם קָ֭רָֽאתִי וַֽתַּעֲנֵ֑נִי תַּרְהִבֵ֖נִי בְנַפְשִׁ֣י עֹֽז׃
In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
- 4
יוֹד֣וּךָ יְ֭הוָה כָּל־מַלְכֵי־אָ֑רֶץ כִּ֥י שָׁ֝מְע֗וּ אִמְרֵי־פִֽיךָ׃
All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
- 5
וְ֭יָשִׁירוּ בְּדַרְכֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה כִּ֥י גָ֝ד֗וֹל כְּב֣וֹד יְהוָֽה׃
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
- 6
כִּי־רָ֣ם יְ֭הוָה וְשָׁפָ֣ל יִרְאֶ֑ה וְ֝גָבֹ֗הַּ מִמֶּרְחָ֥ק יְיֵדָֽע׃
Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
- 7
אִם־אֵלֵ֤ךְ ׀ בְּקֶ֥רֶב צָרָ֗ה תְּחַ֫יֵּ֥נִי עַ֤ל אַ֣ף אֹ֭יְבַי תִּשְׁלַ֣ח יָדֶ֑ךָ וְת֖וֹשִׁיעֵ֣נִי יְמִינֶֽךָ׃
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
- 8
יְהוָה֮ יִגְמֹ֪ר בַּ֫עֲדִ֥י יְ֭הוָה חַסְדְּךָ֣ לְעוֹלָ֑ם מַעֲשֵׂ֖י יָדֶ֣יךָ אַל־תֶּֽרֶף׃
The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
Wording: The Holy Bible, King James Version, 1611 (standard text of 1769). Copied word for word from the edition named here
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When it is prayed
Many Christians recite Psalm 138 in personal prayer or communal worship to give thanks for God's love and faithfulness. It is also prayed in difficult times, as an expression of trust and a request for God's continued care.
Where it comes from
Psalm 138 comes from the Book of Psalms in the Bible, inherited by Christians from the Jewish scriptural tradition. Its heading attributes it to David. It joins thanksgiving for God's faithfulness with a plea that God will not abandon the work of his hands.

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Related prayers and texts
- ChristianPsalm 91A biblical psalm of trust in God’s shelter and protection amid danger.
- ChristianPsalm 23A biblical psalm of trust in God, pictured as a caring shepherd and generous host.
- ChristianPsalm 121A biblical psalm of trust in God as the keeper of those who look to him for help.
- ChristianPsalm 35A biblical psalm asking God for protection, justice and deliverance from enemies.
Questions about Psalm 138
How many verses are in Psalm 138?
Psalm 138 has 8 verses.
What is Psalm 138 about?
It gives wholehearted thanks to God for steadfast love, faithfulness and help. It also expresses trust amid trouble and asks for God's continuing care.
Who wrote Psalm 138?
Its heading attributes it to David. This is its traditional attribution rather than independently established authorship.
When do Christians pray Psalm 138?
Many Christians pray it when giving thanks or seeking words of trust during hardship. It is also used in communal worship.
What language was Psalm 138 written in?
Psalm 138 was written in Hebrew, the language of most of the Old Testament.


















