I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights something profound: God's faithfulness to His promises, His "word," is presented as something He has magnified above all else, even His own reputation or "name." This means God’s character is revealed and glorified most powerfully not just by who He is, but by His unwavering commitment to what He has declared. It points to the trustworthiness of His word as the ultimate display of His greatness.
I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
English Standard Version (ESV)
David, expressing profound gratitude, begins by declaring his intention to worship and praise God towards the sacred place of His presence. He specifically thanks God for His steadfast love and faithfulness, noting how God has honored His promises and His very name above all else. This act of praise is presented as a public declaration, setting the stage for his continued reflection on God's goodness.
David's worship isn't just a feeling; it's a deliberate act fueled by specific divine qualities. What are those essential qualities, and why do they matter so much to our own praise?
David starts this psalm with a powerful declaration of his intention to worship and give thanks.
A Purposeful Posture
He says, "I bow down toward your holy temple." This isn't just a physical act, but a posture of humility and reverence directed towards God's dwelling place. Even though the physical temple wasn't yet built when David wrote many psalms, it represented God's presence and holiness.
Praising God's Attributes
David doesn't just thank God generally; he specifies why:
These aren't abstract concepts; they are the very character of God that David fixates on, making his praise deeply personal and grounded in reality.
The psalm concludes with a profound statement about God exalting His Word above all else. What does this mean for us, and how does it shape our view of Scripture?
Ask a follow-up
The verse culminates in a statement that might seem surprising at first glance: God has exalted His name and His Word above all things.
His Name and His Word
Magnified Above All
The psalm emphasizes that God has made His Word preeminent. This isn't to say God's attributes aren't all equally divine, but rather that in His actions and self-revelation, He has particularly glorified His Word – His promises and His faithfulness to them.
This highlights the incredible value God places on what He has spoken. It assures us that His promises are not secondary to His power or any other attribute; they are central to His identity and His plan. For us, this means the Bible is not just a book of ancient stories, but the very expression of God's magnified truth and promises, worthy of our utmost attention and trust.
Understand the original words
hekal · Hebrew Noun
The central sanctuary where God’s presence dwelt among His people. It symbolizes God’s holiness, His dwelling place, and the designated location for communion, worship, and atonement.
shem · Hebrew Noun
In Scripture, a name represents the person's character, reputation, authority, and presence. To praise or give thanks to the Name is to worship God for who He is and for the revelation of His nature.
hesed · Hebrew Noun
A foundational covenantal term (Hesed) describing God's loyal, committed, and unfailing love toward His people, rooted in His covenant faithfulness despite human unworthiness.
emunah · Hebrew Noun
The quality of being reliable, true, and steadfast. It refers to God’s unwavering commitment to His truth and His promises, which are anchored in His immutable character.
imrah · Hebrew Noun
The utterance, command, or revealed truth of God. It is characterized by power and efficacy; what God speaks comes to pass and carries His absolute authority.
The praise in this psalm echoes David's personal experience of God's faithfulness in fulfilling specific promises, especially concerning his kingship and the future dynasty, highlighting how God's word is central to His character and His relationship with His people.
c. 1010 BC— this verse
David Anointed King
David is anointed king over Judah, fulfilling God's promise to him and marking the beginning of his rise to power. This event directly relates to the psalmist's praise for God's faithfulness to His word.
c. 1003 BC
David Captures Jerusalem
David conquers Jerusalem, establishing it as his capital. This victory solidifies his kingship and provides a central location for worship, fulfilling more of God's promises.
c. 1000 BC
Ark Brought to Jerusalem
David brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, signifying God's presence with His people in the newly established capital. This event is a focal point for worship and remembrance of God's faithfulness.
c. 992 BC
Davidic Covenant Confirmed
God reaffirms His covenant with David, promising an everlasting dynasty. This profound promise, spoken through the prophet Nathan, is a key aspect of 'God's Word' that the psalmist praises.
This passage directly echoes Psalm 138:2 by listing God's core attributes as 'merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,' highlighting the same divine qualities the psalmist praises.
2 Samuel 7:12-16This is the foundational promise of God's covenant with David, directly relating to the 'word' the psalmist praises. It highlights God's faithfulness in exalting David's lineage and kingdom, fulfilling His word.
Isaiah 42:21This verse speaks to God's desire to magnify His law and make it honorable, mirroring Psalm 138:2's idea of God exalting His word. It shows God's commitment to validating His commands and promises.
John 1:14This verse describes the Word (Jesus) becoming flesh and dwelling among us, offering a profound New Testament fulfillment of God magnifying His word. It shows God's ultimate act of exalting His Word through His Son.
Philippians 2:9-11This passage describes God exalting Jesus to the highest name, fulfilling the concept of God magnifying His name and His word above all things. It shows the ultimate magnification of God's name and His declarative promises through Christ.
ellicottPsalms 138:2: "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."
(2) Notice that “loving-kindness” and “truth” are joined as inseparable attributes of Jehovah in His relation to the chosen race. For thou hast magnified—i.e., the promise made for help and deliverance has been fulfilled, and more than fulfilled. The psalmist often speaks of Jehovah’s name, or reputation, or honour being at sta…
pulpitPsalms 138:2: "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."
Verse 2. - I will worship toward thy holy temple. The term "temple" here must designate the tabernacle (comp. Psalm 5:8). And praise thy Name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth. "Mercy" and "truth" are God's two highest attributes (Exodus 34:6). They were especially shown to Israel in God's promises and his fidelity to t…
This verse highlights something profound: God's faithfulness to His promises, His "word," is presented as something He has magnified above all else, even His own reputation or "name." This means God’s character is revealed and glorified most powerfully not just by who He is, but by His unwavering commitment to what He has declared. It points to the trustworthiness of His word as the ultimate display of His greatness.
David, expressing profound gratitude, begins by declaring his intention to worship and praise God towards the sacred place of His presence. He specifically thanks God for His steadfast love and faithfulness, noting how God has honored His promises and His very name above all else. This act of praise is presented as a public declaration, setting the stage for his continued reflection on God's goodness.
David, expressing profound gratitude, begins by declaring his intention to worship and praise God towards the sacred place of His presence. He specifically thanks God for His steadfast love and faithfulness, noting how God has honored His promises and His very name above all else. This act of praise is presented as a public declaration, setting the stage for his continued reflection on God's goodness.
"I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word." — This verse highlights something profound: God's faithfulness to His promises, His "word," is presented as something He has magnified above all else, even His own reputation or "name." This means Go…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026