Christian Standard Bible
Psalms 138:6
6Though the Lord is exalted, he takes note of the humble; but he knows the haughty from a distance.
Psalms 138:6 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
- New International Version (NIV)Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.
Context of Psalms 138:6
4All the kings on earth will give you thanks, Lord, when they hear what you have promised. 5They will sing of the Lord’s ways, for the Lord’s glory is great. Though the Lord is exalted, he takes note of the humble; but he knows the haughty from a distance. 7If I walk into the thick of danger, you will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend your hand; your right hand will save me. 8The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Lord, your faithful love endures forever; do not abandon the work of your hands.
Read all of Psalms 138Psalms 138:6 word by word
כִּי־רָ֣ם יְ֭הוָה וְשָׁפָ֣ל יִרְאֶ֑ה וְ֝גָבֹ֗הַּ מִמֶּרְחָ֥ק יְיֵדָֽע׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 138:6
- Psalms 51:17The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.
- Psalms 113:5Who is like the Lord our God — the one enthroned on high,
- 1 Samuel 2:7The Lord brings poverty and gives wealth; he humbles and he exalts.
- Proverbs 3:34He mocks those who mock but gives grace to the humble.
- Isaiah 57:15For the High and Exalted One, who lives forever, whose name is holy, says this: “I live in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the oppressed.
- Isaiah 66:2My hand made all these things, and so they all came into being. This is the Lord’s declaration. I will look favorably on this kind of person: one who is humble, submissive in spirit, and trembles at my word.
- Luke 1:51He has done a mighty deed with his arm; he has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts;
- Luke 14:11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Luke 18:14I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- James 4:6But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
- 1 Peter 5:5In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
- Exodus 18:11Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because he did wonders when the Egyptians acted arrogantly against Israel.”
- Job 40:11Pour out your raging anger; look on every proud person and humiliate him.
- Isaiah 2:11The pride of mankind will be humbled, and human loftiness will be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.
- Ezekiel 28:1The word of the Lord came to me:
- Daniel 4:37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of the heavens, because all his works are true and his ways are just. He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
Commentaries on Psalms 138:6
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6Though the Lord be high - This might be rendered “For lofty is Yahweh - and the humble he sees - and the proud he knows from afar.” The idea is, that God - so high and exalted - sees and knows all of every rank among people. The mind of the psalmist had been impressed with a sense of the greatness and majesty of God, but (as if it might be said that one so great could not regard man, so humble and insignificant) he adds, that the fact of God‘s exaltation…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-8Verses 6-8 Though the Lord is high, yet he has respect to every lowly, humbled sinner; but the proud and unbelieving will be banished far from his blissful presence. Divine consolations have enough in them to revive us, even when we walk in the midst of troubles. And God will save his own people that they may be revived by the Holy Spirit, the Giver of life and holiness. If we give to God the glory of his mercy, we may take to ourselves the comfort. This…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6God is holy and great, far beyond human understanding (see Psalms 99:2; 113:4; Isaiah 6:1; 57:15).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 6-76-7. On this general principle of God's government (Is 2:11; 57:15; 66:2), he relies for God's favor in saving him, and overthrowing his enemies. knoweth afar off--their ways and deserts (Psa 1:6).Read the comment
- Rashi on Tanakh · v. 6He chastises Heb. יידע, chastises, like (Jud. 8:16): “and with them he broke (ויודע) the men of Succoth.”Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 138:6
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 138
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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