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.

PSALMS 138:2KJV
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Psalms 138:2 (KJV)

What does Psalms 138:2 mean?

Psalms 138:2 describes the psalmist’s intention to worship facing God’s holy temple and to praise God’s name because of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, declaring that God has honored His word even above His own name. The verse highlights the psalmist’s deep gratitude for God’s dependable character and the reliability of God’s promises.

King David is speaking directly to God, expressing personal devotion and awe. The mention of worshiping toward the temple shows respect for God’s chosen place of meeting, even though the actual temple may not have been built yet. David emphasizes that God’s lovingkindness and truth are so evident that God’s spoken word—His promises and commands—are lifted up as supremely trustworthy, even more so than God’s reputation or name alone.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 138:2

  • חֶסֶד (chesed, “lovingkindness”): This word means steadfast love, mercy, or loyal kindness. It points to God’s faithful, covenant-keeping love, which is a central reason for the psalmist’s praise.
  • אֱמֶת (emet, “truth”): This word means truth, faithfulness, or reliability. It emphasizes that God is trustworthy and always keeps His promises.
  • גָּדַל (gadal, “magnified”): This word means to make great or to honor. The verse says God has “magnified” His word above all His name, highlighting the extraordinary value and reliability of what God says.
  • דָּבָר (davar, “word”): This refers to God’s spoken word, promises, or commands. The verse stresses that God’s word is so dependable that it is lifted up above even His own name (שֵׁם, shem).

Why Psalms 138:2 matters

  • Psalms 138:2 clarifies that God’s promises and words are supremely trustworthy, even more so than His reputation alone, which can be a surprising emphasis for readers.
  • The verse connects worship and praise directly to God’s character—His steadfast love and faithfulness—rather than just to ritual or location.
  • This verse helps explain why the psalmist (and later worshipers) could have such confidence in prayer and praise: God’s word is reliable and has been honored above everything else.

Where else these words appear

“word” Hebrew H565 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt.
  • Psalms 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
  • Psalms 119:154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

“temple” Hebrew H1964 · used in 76 verses

  • 1 Samuel 1:9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 6:10 Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
  • Ezekiel 41:1 Afterward he brought me to the temple, and measured the posts, six cubits broad on the one side, and six cubits broad on the other side, which was the breadth of the tabernacle.

“praise” Hebrew H3034 · used in 111 verses

  • Genesis 29:35 And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.
  • Psalms 7:17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.
  • Psalms 107:8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

“magnified” Hebrew H1431 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
  • 1 Chronicles 17:24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.
  • Isaiah 23:4 Be thou ashamed, O Zidon: for the sea hath spoken, even the strength of the sea, saying, I travail not, nor bring forth children, neither do I nourish up young men, nor bring up virgins.