Psalm 138
Rooted in Purpose: A Prayerful Walk Through Psalm 138
Wholehearted Living and Worship
As we read through Psalm 138 together this week, one phrase stood out and stirred something deep in us: “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart.” It’s not just poetic—it’s powerful. What we see in David, time and again, is a man who lived and worshiped with everything he had. Whether he was dancing before the Lord, crying out in desperation, or making plans for the temple, he was all in.
There’s something contagious about people like that. Maybe you know a few—people whose passion and purpose seem to ignite everyone around them. For us, it’s often our cousins. A day with them leaves us ready to take on the world, pursue something new, or step into a deeper sense of calling. David reminds us to be those kinds of people. People whose wholehearted love for God ripples into the lives of others.
We can ask ourselves: Who are those people in our lives? And are we becoming that kind of person for someone else?
Strength in the Soul
Another verse that stuck with us was verse 3:
“When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.”
Digging into the original Hebrew, we saw something even more vivid—David says God made me bold in my soul with strength. There’s something deeply encouraging about that. David didn’t just get an answer to his prayer—he got strength in his soul. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
We don’t always know what David was praying for, and honestly, that’s relatable. Often, our prayers are filled with longings and hopes we can’t quite put into words. But we can trust, just like David did, that God hears us, strengthens us, and gives us the courage to keep going—even if the answer doesn’t come in the form we expected.
Maybe you’ve prayed for healing and received peace instead. Or you’re longing for a loved one to come back to faith, and God places you in their life as a guide. It’s these moments that remind us: God answers not just for our comfort, but for our holiness and eternal perspective.
A God Who Sees the Lowly
Psalm 138:6 says,
“Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.”
That’s such a beautiful reminder of God’s character. He is exalted and mighty—but still near to the humble. When we admit our limits and acknowledge our need for help, He meets us with compassion and strength.
And if you ever doubt His care, look at the cross. God sent His Son—a profound act of love that underlines every word of this psalm.
Praying with Purpose
David ends with a powerful truth in verse 8:
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the work of your hands.”
Not my purposes. His. What would it look like if we started our prayers there? If instead of jumping to our requests, we first acknowledged God’s holiness, His kingdom, and His will? Just like Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer.
Even the Apostle Paul models this—his prayers for the churches weren’t about health or wealth, but for hearts to know God more deeply, to grasp His love, and to be spiritually strengthened.
So this week, let’s pray like that. Let’s ask:
God, would you fulfill your purposes in my life today?
Holy Spirit, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to respond.
And as we pray, let’s also make space to listen. To pause. To notice how God is moving, not just in the answers, but in the quiet moments too.
A Simple Invitation
Psalm 138 is short, but it’s rich. We invite you to read it again today. Let it shape your prayer life. Surround yourself with people who live wholeheartedly for God. And consider this: maybe the boldness and strength you're looking for starts with simply asking God to fulfill His purpose for your life.
Thanks for walking through this Psalm with us. Let’s keep praying, listening, and leaning into what God is doing.
