English Standard Version
Psalms 138:6
6For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Though the Lord is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.
Context of Psalms 138:6
4All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord, for they have heard the words of your mouth, 5and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord, for great is the glory of the Lord. For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. 7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. 8The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake 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 sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
- Psalms 113:5Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high,
- 1 Samuel 2:7The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.
- Proverbs 3:34Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.
- Isaiah 57:15For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.
- Isaiah 66:2All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.
- Luke 1:51He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
- Luke 14:11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
- Luke 18:14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
- James 4:6But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
- 1 Peter 5:5Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
- Exodus 18:11Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods, because in this affair they dealt arrogantly with the people."
- Job 40:11Pour out the overflowings of your anger, and look on everyone who is proud and abase him.
- Isaiah 2:11The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.
- Ezekiel 28:1The word of the Lord came to me:
- Daniel 4:37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries