Psalms 138:2 · Bible study
Psalms 138:2 Commentary: Exalted Word Above Name
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Psalm 138:2 study: Hebrew meaning of “exalted your word above your name.” Interpretive debates and theological significance for worship.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Psalm 138:2 praises God for exalting His promise above every other revelation of Himself.
- Key words: chesed (lovingkindness), emet (faithfulness/truth), imratekha (word/promise), higdalta (magnified), shimkha (name/reputation).
- Main debate: Whether the Hebrew means “You have exalted your word above all your name” or “You have exalted your name and your word above all.”
- Theological theme: The surpassing reliability of God’s promise, rooted in His covenant love and faithfulness.
- Best use: Teaching on the certainty of God’s promises, worship, the Davidic covenant, and biblical theology of revelation.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.
WEB World English Bible 2000
I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
I will worship toward thy holy temple, And give thanks unto thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
I bow myself toward Thy holy temple, And I confess Thy name, For Thy kindness, and for Thy truth, For Thou hast made great Thy saying above all Thy name.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
I will bow down toward the temple of thy holiness, and celebrate thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth; for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
Thou hast known my sitting down, and my rising up.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Encorvaréme al templo de tu santuario, y alabaré tu nombre por tu misericordia y tu verdad: porque has hecho magnífico tu nombre, y tu dicho sobre todas las cosas.
Eu me prostrarei ao teu santo templo, e louvarei o teu nome por tua bondade e por tua verdade; porque engrandeceste tua palavra e teu nome acima de tudo.
Je me prosterne dans ton saint temple,
Ich will anbeten zu deinem heiligen Tempel und deinem Namen danken für deine Güte und Treue; denn du hast deinen Namen über alles herrlich gemacht durch dein Wort.
Ik zal mij nederbuigen naar het paleis Uwer heiligheid, en ik zal Uw Naam loven, om Uw goedertierenheid en om Uw waarheid; want Gij hebt vanwege Uw gansen Naam Uw woord groot gemaakt.
Adorerò vòlto al tempio della tua santità, celebrerò il tuo nome per la tua benignità e per la tua fedeltà; poiché tu hai magnificato la tua parola oltre ogni tua rinomanza.
Będę się kłaniał ku kościołowi twemu świętemu, i będę wysławiał imię twoje dla miłosierdzia twego, i dla prawdy twojej; boś nade wszystko uwielbił imię twoje i wyroki twoje.
Ты знаешь, когда я сажусь и когда встаю; Ты разумеешь помышления мои издали.
我要向 你的聖 殿 下拜，為 你的慈愛 和 誠實 稱讚 你的名；因 你使你的話 顯為大，過於你所應許的（或譯：超乎 你的名聲）。
I will give worship before your holy Temple, praising your name for your mercy and for your unchanging faith: for you have made your word greater than all your name.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Psalms 138:2
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that the psalmist praises God for His covenant loyalty (chesed) and faithfulness (emet), and that God’s promise has been magnified in a surpassing way. Barnes, Gill, Keil & Delitzsch, JFB, Matthew Henry, and Wesley understand the phrase “thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” to mean that God’s word, particularly the Davidic promise of 2 Samuel 7, has been shown greater than every other manifestation of Himself. Matthew Henry writes that God has glorified His word “above every other way he has made himself known.” Wesley says God’s word or promise is “more glorified than any other of his glorious perfections.” The Hebrew verb higdalta (Hiphil of gadal) means “you have made great.” The object imratekha (“your word”) follows the prepositional phrase “above all your name,” a word order that older commentators take to signal elevation of the promise above God’s very reputation. The consensus: God’s faithfulness to His spoken promise outshines all else He has revealed.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Word exalted above Name: The Hebrew word order (verb + prepositional phrase + object) and the majority of older commentators (Barnes, Gill, Keil, Matthew Henry, Wesley) support reading “you have magnified your word above all your name.”
- Name and Word exalted above all: The WEB and BSB translations render the phrase as “you have exalted your Name and your Word above all,” treating “name” and “word” as parallel objects of exaltation.
What is clear: The psalmist is praising God for a surpassing demonstration of His faithfulness to His promise, which exceeds everything else God has done to make Himself known.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of "word" (imratekha) | It refers to God's promise, particularly the Davidic covenant. | Some see it as Scripture in general; others limit it to the specific oracle of 2 Samuel 7. |
| "Exalted above all your name" | God's word is shown to be surpassingly great. | Whether the phrase means "above all other attributes/revelations" or "above every name, i.e., above all things", the Hebrew word order allows both. |
| Relationship between God's name and word | Both name and word are revelatory; both evoke praise. | Does God exalt His word at the expense of His name, or are both exalted together? Calvin renders it "magnified thy name by thy word." |
| The temple in this verse | Worship is directed toward God's dwelling place. | Whether the temple means the tabernacle, the heavenly sanctuary, or Christ as a type (Gill emphasizes the latter). |
Historical & Cultural Context
The psalm is attributed to David, and many commentators (Barnes, Keil & Delitzsch, JFB) connect it directly to the promise of 2 Samuel 7, where God swore to establish David’s throne forever. David had called out in distress (v. 3) and received strength; now he vows public praise. The “holy temple” (v. 2) was not yet built in David’s day; Barnes notes it refers to the tabernacle, while Gill adds that it prefigures Christ’s humanity and the heavenly sanctuary. The practice of bowing “toward” the temple is well attested (1 Kings 8:29, 30; Psalm 5:7), expressing both reverence and faith in God’s presence dwelling there. In verse 1, David says he will praise God “before the gods”, a phrase Calvin interprets as angels or kings, and Keil & Delitzsch as earthly rulers akin to Psalm 82:1. The point is that David’s worship is public and unashamed, declared before the highest human authorities. The terms chesed (lovingkindness) and emet (truth) are covenant words: God’s loyal love and unwavering reliability. These form the basis of the promise. Keil & Delitzsch note that the verb higdalta echoes the language of 2 Samuel 7, where David repeatedly uses gadal to describe God’s greatness. Thus the historical setting is the ratification of the Davidic covenant, a promise that would culminate in the Messiah. The psalmist’s posture (bowing) and direction (toward the temple) teach that true praise acknowledges both God’s transcendence and His covenant presence.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant variants in the Hebrew text of Psalm 138:2. The differences among English translations stem from the ambiguous syntax of the phrase “עַל כָּל שִׁמְךָ אִמְרָתֶךָ.” In the KJV and ASV, “thy word” is taken as the direct object of “magnified,” with “above all thy name” as a prepositional phrase. The WEB and BSB read “name and word” as compound objects of “above all.” The Masoretic text is stable; the issue is interpretive.
Reception History
This verse has been prized in Reformed and evangelical traditions for its apparent elevation of God’s word above all other forms of revelation. Calvin’s own rendering, “thou hast magnified thy name above all things by thy word”, tied the exaltation back to God’s name through the instrument of His word. In Wesleyan circles, the verse underscored the surpassing nature of God’s promise over every attribute. The verse has been sung in hymns that celebrate God’s faithfulness, and it has been cited by preachers calling believers to trust in the reliability of Scripture. Across traditions, it serves as a rallying cry for the primacy of God’s spoken and written promise.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The posture of worship: humility and direction (bowing toward the holy temple, v. 2a).
- The content of praise: God’s lovingkindness and truth, the twin pillars of His covenant character (v. 2b).
- The cause of wonder: God exalts His promise above every other revelation of Himself (v. 2c).
Five-point outline
- Wholehearted praise before a watching world (v. 1).
- Worship directed toward God’s dwelling place, tabernacle, heaven, or Christ (v. 2a).
- Thanksgiving for covenant love and faithfulness as the grounds of every promise (v. 2b).
- God’s spoken word surpasses even His own name in glory (v. 2c).
- Confidence that God will complete the work He began (vv. 7, 8).
Illustration hooks
- A signed contract that is honored beyond the letter, the signer does more than required, proving the promise greater than their reputation.
- A child trusting a father’s promise to return, even when circumstances make it seem impossible; the kept word becomes the father’s truest legacy.
- A public figure whose entire reputation is redefined by a single act of faithfulness that outweighs everything else they have done.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Does God still speak with a word that surpasses His other works? How do I hear it?
- How can I trust God’s promise when my present situation seems to contradict it?
- What does it mean practically to exalt God’s word above His name in daily life?
Leading a Discussion
What does it mean to praise God for exalting His word above His name? The psalmist sees God’s promise as weightier than every other attribute. This verse invites us to examine where we place our confidence. Use the following questions to guide your small group discussion.
Discussion questions
- In verse 2, what specific things does David praise God for? List them from the text.
- The Hebrew words chesed and emet are often translated “lovingkindness” and “truth.” What do these terms reveal about God’s character?
- What event in David’s life might have prompted this psalm? Consider the connection to 2 Samuel 7.
- Why would David say God’s word is “exalted above all your name”? What does that imply about the relative weight of promise and reputation?
- How does this verse challenge or encourage your current view of God’s promises, especially ones that seem delayed or unrealized?
- What does it look like to bow toward God’s holy temple today? How do we show respect for His presence?
- Share a personal experience of God’s faithfulness that exceeded what you expected. How did that shape your trust in His word?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Kings 8:29 | that your eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which you have said, ‘My name shall be there;’ to listen to the prayer which your servant prays toward this place. |
| I Kings 8:30 | Listen to the supplication of your servant, and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Yes, hear in heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive. |
| Psalms 5:7 | But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will bow toward your holy temple in reverence of you. |
| Psalms 28:2 | Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place. |
| Psalms 36:5 | Your loving kindness, Yahweh, is in the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. |
| Psalms 36:6 | Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like a great deep. Yahweh, you preserve man and animal. |
| Psalms 56:4 | In God, I praise his word. In God, I put my trust. I will not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? |
| Psalms 56:10 | In God, I will praise his word. In Yahweh, I will praise his word. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes stresses that God has made His word greater than any other way He has revealed Himself. The written promises, especially the covenant with David about the Messiah, surpass the clearest knowledge found in nature or human philosophy. For him, what Scripture alone discloses about pardon and salvation matters most.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin reads "before the gods" as referring to angels or kings, particularly angels, rather than to God himself. He sees this as David offering his praise publicly before these spiritual beings and earthly rulers, underscoring the reverent and open character of his gratitude.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible Schools note treats this verse as a thanksgiving for God showing His lovingkindness and truth in action. The distinctive emphasis falls on the fulfilment of divine promises as the way God manifests these attributes: His goodness and faithfulness are not abstract but demonstrated by keeping His word.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note emphasizes that God has exalted His name above everything else through His Word. The commentator sees the psalmist's praise as grounded in this truth: God's loving-kindness and faithfulness are inseparable from His commitment to His own Word, which He magnifies above all His other works.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB notes that the psalmist elevates Gods word above even His name. This refers specifically to the covenant promise to David, which God sustains through mercy and truth. For JFB, this promise surpasses all other displays of Gods character as an object of praise.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch argues that "before the gods" refers not to angels or false deities but to earthly rulers, the great ones among whom God exalted David. The phrase interprets God's magnifying His promise above all His name, meaning this pledge surpasses everything by which God had previously made Himself known.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange reads this psalm as David's personal response to the specific promise of an eternal dynasty in 2 Samuel 7. He argues that "thy word" refers to that covenant, not to God's general revelation, and that David's public praise celebrates God's faithfulness to this unfolding redemptive plan.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that David resolves to praise God openly before princes and great men, because praising God is honorable work that even the most powerful need not be ashamed of. He also sees worship toward the holy temple as directing faith toward Christ the mediator and heaven itself.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley highlights the word "magnified" to show that God has glorified His own promise to the speaker more than any other of His glorious attributes. Though the temple held the ark, the speaker was not permitted to enter it, making this honor to his promise all the more striking.