God has promised to hear and answer our prayers (see 1 John 5:14–15). Sometimes, the answer comes, but not according to our preferred schedule. Sometimes, God gives us the answer we need, not the answer we want (see 2 Corinthians 12:7–9). And sometimes He gives us the desire of our hearts. While we praise God at all times, there is special joy when we see particular, and even dramatic, answers to prayer. Psalm 138 is David’s joyful psalm of thanksgiving for such answered prayer.

David’s psalm of thanksgiving is in three parts, and each part relates to a different group: gods, kings, and enemies.

Psalm 135 told us that the “gods” of the nations have no life or existence (vv. 15–18). However, the Bible also speaks of a countless number of angelic beings who endlessly serve and worship God (see Revelation 4–5). These heavenly powers are the “gods” David speaks of in Psalm 138:1, where he invites them all to join him in praising God.

David’s thanks to God is more than mere words. It springs from the depths of his inner being (“with all my heart”). Further, God’s kindness has re-energised his life: “You greatly emboldened me” (v. 3). His confidence has been renewed, so he can now face whatever trouble lies ahead.

The psalm then calls on all the rulers of the world to praise God (vv. 4–5). David will announce to everyone all that God has done for him.

Finally, he remembers his enemies, probably the ones responsible for his troubles (v. 7). His deliverance reminds him that God in heaven is not aloof and indifferent to his troubles. Rather, He looks upon the lowly (v. 6). This truth will sustain David, for he knows these good times won’t last; he will again “walk in the midst of trouble” (v. 7).

The contrast between Psalms 137 and 138 is striking. In the former, the people have nothing to sing about. Their sorrow is so deep that silence is the only response (137:4). But the compilers of the psalms didn’t leave us there. Deliberately, they placed a song of exuberant thanksgiving next in the psalter.

In Ecclesiastes 3:1–8, the wise teacher says that there are different times in our life. There will be times when we will mourn and times we will dance. There will be times to be silent and times to speak. Each time passes, and very few of these last for long. Psalms 137 and 138 reflect some of these different times. David was experiencing a time of joy and thanksgiving, but he knew that there would be times of sorrow and silence ahead. We can expect different times in our lives and know there’ll be a different song for each occasion. And maybe, even for a time, no song at all. Still, let us remain loyal to our God. His love endures for ever (138:8).