Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.

PSALMS 138:6KJV
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Psalms 138:6 (KJV)

What does Psalms 138:6 mean?

Psalms 138:6 says that even though the LORD is exalted and above all, He pays attention to those who are humble, but He keeps His distance from those who are proud. The verse highlights that God’s greatness does not make Him ignore the lowly, but pride creates a separation.

King David is speaking in this psalm, expressing his personal praise and trust in God. David points out that God’s character is unique: although God is “high,” He cares for the humble and does not overlook them. The verse contrasts God’s closeness to the humble with His remoteness from the proud, showing that humility draws God’s attention while pride keeps a person far from Him.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 138:6

  • “high” (רָם, rām; H7311): This word means “exalted” or “lifted up.” It emphasizes God’s supreme position, yet the verse surprises by saying this does not make Him distant from humble people.
  • “respect” (רָאָה, rā’āh; H7200): Often translated as “to see” or “to look at,” here it means God notices or pays attention to the humble. It suggests active care, not just passive awareness.
  • “lowly” (שָׁפָל, shāphāl; H8217): This word refers to those who are humble or of low status. The verse assures that God values and sees those who might be overlooked by others.
  • “proud” (גָּבֹהַּ, gāvōah; H1364): This word means “high” or “lofty,” but here it refers to people who are proud or arrogant. The contrast is that God is “high” in a different, pure sense, while the proud try to elevate themselves.
  • “knoweth” (יָדַע, yāda‘; H3045) “afar off” (מֵרָחוֹק, mērāchōq; H4801): Together, these words mean God knows the proud “from afar.” It suggests a distant, impersonal knowledge, not the close care He gives the humble.

Why Psalms 138:6 matters

  • Psalms 138:6 clears up the idea that God is only interested in great or powerful people; instead, it emphasizes that God values humility and pays attention to those who are lowly.
  • The verse highlights a key theme in the Bible: pride creates distance from God, while humility brings a person closer to Him.
  • In the context of the psalm, this verse reassures readers that God’s greatness does not make Him inaccessible or uncaring—He is both exalted and personally attentive to those who are humble.

Where else these words appear

“lowly” Hebrew H8217 · used in 18 verses

  • Leviticus 13:20 And if, when the priest seeth it, behold, it be in sight lower than the skin, and the hair thereof be turned white; the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is a plague of leprosy broken out of the boil.
  • Job 5:11 To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety.
  • Ezekiel 17:14 That the kingdom might be base, that it might not lift itself up, but that by keeping of his covenant it might stand.

“off” Hebrew H4801 · used in 18 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:17 And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
  • Isaiah 13:5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.
  • Jeremiah 5:15 Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

“proud” Hebrew H1364 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
  • Job 41:34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
  • Jeremiah 2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.