Today’s daily devotional will cover Psalms 132-138 which emphasize God’s faithfulness, unity among believers, and the importance of worship. Psalm 132 recounts David’s desire to build a temple for the Ark, while Psalm 133 highlights the blessing of unity. Psalm 134 calls all servants to bless the Lord, and Psalm 135 reminds us that God’s greatness endures forever. In Psalm 136, His steadfast love is celebrated as eternal. Psalm 137 reflects the pain of exile, and Psalm 138 declares God’s attentiveness to those who call on Him. The verse “you have exalted above all things your name and your word” (Psalm 138:2) prompts reflection: if God exalts His Word so highly, should we not also? To examine who the builder of your house is, read the daily devotional on Psalms 120-131.
Psalms 132-138 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Today in our journey through the Book of Psalms in thirty days, we are on day twenty-eight. We are going to look at seven psalms, Psalms 132-138. Does God exalt His Word above His name? Do you? Please read or listen to Psalms 132-138.
What Does It Mean to Exalt His Name?
Today, we are going to my journal in 1997 (NASB), where I have some one-liners on most of these psalms.
“Psalm 132, Ark of covenant needs a home in Zion. David wanted to build a temple for it, but God said, ‘No.’
“Psalm 133, Unity. Dwell in unity. How with all the different religious opinions and sin in our world?
“Psalm 134, ‘bless the Lord, all servants of the Lord’ (v. 1). Bless the Lord and He will bless you.
“Psalm 135, ‘Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good’ (v. 3). ‘For I know that the Lord is great’ (v. 5). Your name, O Lord, endures forever.
“There is much ‘Bless the Lord’ and ‘Praise the Lord’ throughout the psalms. God is worthy of our blessings and praise. Many worship chorus’ today are directly from the psalms. Just like then, we sing these same lines to God.
“Psalm 136, ‘for His steadfast love endures forever’ (v. 1).
“Psalm 137, captive. In the enemy’s camp, they mock them for a song of worship. Even when we are defeated, don’t forget our God.
“Psalm 138, You hear us when we cry out.”
Where in the Bible Does It Say God Exalted His Word Above Himself?
As we close, let’s focus on Psalm 138:2, “for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.” My English Standard Version Study Bible note says, “Or you have exalted your word above all your name” (p. 1115). When I read a translation of that verse like that once, I could not believe it said that. I thought, how could the Lord exalt His Word above His name?
What Does the Lord Say about His Word?
From time to time, I get to do TV concerning the Word of God. One time, I was on with a pastor, and he opened with that very verse, Psalm 138:2, that God exalts His Word above His name. He said he was a pastor for several years when he read that verse; he could hardly believe it. So he prayed, and he said this was one of the fastest answers to prayer he ever received. The Lord answered his prayer like this, “I can exalt the Word above My name because if My Word is no good, My name is no good.” God takes His Word seriously. Do we?
Prayer
Lord, may we take Your Word seriously in our lives. May we exalt both Your name and Your Word. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
