David gives thanks to the LORD with his whole heart for answering him and strengthening him, bowing toward the holy temple and praising God's name for steadfast love and truth. From that personal thanksgiving the psalm widens to imagine the kings of the earth joining in praise, because the LORD is exalted yet attentive to the lowly, and it closes in confidence that he will preserve David through trouble and fulfill his purpose for him.
After the dark remembrance and unresolved appeal of Psalm 137, Psalm 138 returns to thanksgiving, but not in forgetfulness of danger. It fits Book V by moving from answered prayer into a broader vision of worldwide praise, while still holding personal fragility and present trouble under the assurance that the LORD's steadfast love endures and his purposes do not fail.
A continuous BSB reading flow. Turn on the guide when you want authored orientation; leave it off when you simply want the text.
O1f David. 2I bow down toward Your holy temple 3On the day I called, You answered me;
4All the kings of the earth will give You thanks, O LORD, 5They will sing of the ways of the LORD, 6Though the LORD is on high,
7If I walk in the midst of trouble, 8The LORD will fulfill
Each section keeps the passage focused, adds summaries and cross references, and gives verse-level links.