Psalm - 138:4



4 All the kings of the earth will give you thanks, Yahweh, for they have heard the words of your mouth.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Psalm 138:4.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
May all the kings of the earth give glory to thee: for they have heard all the words of thy mouth.
All the kings of the earth shall celebrate thee, Jehovah, when they have heard the words of thy mouth;
O Jehovah, all kings of earth confess Thee, When they have heard the sayings of Thy mouth.
All the kings of the earth will give you praise, O Lord, when the words of your mouth come to their ears.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Let all kings of the earth praise thee Here he declares that the goodness he had experienced would be extensively known, and the report of it spread over all the world. In saying that even kings had heard the words of God's mouth, he does not mean to aver that they had been taught in the true religion so as to be prepared for becoming members of the Church, but only that it would be well known everywhere that the reason of his having been preserved in such a wonderful manner was God's having anointed him king by his commandment. Thus although the neighboring kings reaped no advantage by that divine oracle, the goodness of God was illustrated by its being universally known, by his being called to the throne in an extraordinary manner. Having uniformly during the whole period of Saul's severe and bloody persecution declared that he raised his standard in God's name, there could be no doubt that he came to the crown by divine will and commandment. And this was a proof of divine goodness which might draw forth an acknowledgment even from heathen kings.

All the kings of the earth shall praise thee - That is, kings, princes, and rulers shall learn the words of promise; shall be made acquainted with the words which thou hast graciously spoken, and with their fulfillment, and shall be led to praise thee. This refers to a time, of which frequent prophetic mention is made in the Scriptures, when kings and rulers shall be converted to the true religion, and when they shall act an important part, by their example and influence, in maintaining and diffusing it. Compare Psalm 68:31-32; Isaiah 49:23.

All the kings of the earth - Of the land: all the neighboring nations, seeing what is done for us, and looking in vain to find that any human agency was employed in the work, will immediately see that it was thy hand; and consequently, by confessing that it was thou, will give praise to thy name.

All the (d) kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
(d) All the world will confess that you have wonderfully preserved me, and performed your promise.

All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O Lord,.... Or "let them confess", or "praise thee" (s); a wish or prayer. Not only the kings known to David, as Kimchi limits it; or that lived in his days, as Hiram and others; but in the latter day, when they shall come to Zion, the church, and be nursing fathers to it, and shall serve and worship the King Messiah, Isaiah 49:23;
when they hear the words of thy mouth; either the promises of it fulfilled not only with respect to David; but the Messiah, and his church and people, in the latter day, even the glorious things spoken thereof: or the doctrines of the Gospel, which are the words of his mouth, and more desirable than thousands of gold and silver; and which, when kings shall hear so as to understand, they will praise the Lord for them; see Isaiah 52:15. The Targum is,
"the words of thy praise.''
(s) "confiteantur tibi", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus.

The kings - A prophecy of the calling of the Gentiles. Hear - The gospel preached among then.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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