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.