Psalms 138:8

The Lord will perfect [that which] concerneth me,.... Or "will", or "may the Lord perform for me" (x): all things in providence; all that he had appointed for him, that would be for his good and his

The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.

Will perfect that which concerneth me; will finish that great work of my deliverance and advancement, which he hath undertaken and carried on hitherto. Endureth for ever; it is not inconstant and changeable, as men’ s affections are, but everlasting. And this may be either a proof of the fort, going assertion, the Lord will perfect, &c. or an argument to enforce the following petition, therefore forsake not, & c. Forsake not, or leave not, or do not desist from or give over. The works of thine own hands; the work of my salvation, which is thus far advanced, not by any human help, but by thine own extraordinary power and providence, and therefore it is not for thine honour to desert it at last. This he calls works in regard of the many and various parts and actions which concurred to this work.

Psalms 138:8 The LORD will perfect [that which] concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, [endureth] for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.Ver. 8. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me] He will not do his business to the halves, leave it in the midst, but carry it on to a consummation, and lay the top stone of grace; this I am well assured of. See Philippians 1:6. Only I must pray, and do my part; having an eye still to God’ s everlasting mercy in Christ. Forsake not the works of thine own hands] Look upon the wounds of thy hands, and forsake not the works of thy hands, prayed Queen Elizabeth. And Luther’ s usual prayer was, Confirm, O God, in us that thou hast wrought, and perfect the work that thou hast begun in us, to thy glory; so be it. Though the good work of grace be begun in us, yet we can neither persevere in that grace, nor bring it forth to act, without new grace; even as trees, though they be fitted to bear fruit, yet, without the influence of the heavens, they cannot put forth that fitness in fruit, &c.

(8) Perfect that which concerneth me.—Or, as in the analogous phrase (Psalms 57:2), will complete for me—i.e., either “all my undertakings,” or, as in Philippians 1:6, “what he has begun in and for me.” Forsake not.—Better, the works of Thine hands; do not leave them unfinished. (See for the same verb Nehemiah 6:3; Proverbs 4:13 : “let her not go.”) The special intention of the prayer depends on the origin of the psalm. If it arose out of the troubles of rebuilding Jerusalem and reconstituting the state, it is intelligible and expressive. Or the reference may be to all Jehovah’s gracious intentions for Israel.

Verse 8. The Lord will perfect] Whatever is farther necessary to be done, he will do it. Forsake not the works of thine own hands.] My body - my soul; thy work begun in my soul; thy work in behalf of Israel; thy work in the evangelization of the world; thy work in the salvation of mankind. Thou wilt not forsake these. ANALYSIS OF THE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-EIGHTH PSALM I. In the three first verses of this Psalm David promises a grateful heart, and to sing the praises of God, because he had heard his cries, and sent him comfort and deliverance. II. In the three next he shows what future kings would do, when the works and truth of God should be made known to them. III. In the two last verses he professes his confidence in God; shows what he hopes for from him; and, in assurance that God will perfect his works, prays him not to desert or forsake him. I. The prophet shows his thankfulness, which he illustrates and amplifies. 1. "I will praise thee with my whole heart." Sincerely, cordially. 2. "Before the gods," c. Publicly, before potentates, whether angels or kings. 3. "I will worship toward," c. It is true God ruleth as King in his palace: there will I bow it is the symbol of his presence. 4. "And praise thy name," c. From a feeling sense of thy goodness. 1. "For thy lovingkindness," &c. In calling me to the kingdom from the sheepfold. 2. "And for thy truth." In performing thy promise. By which, 5. "Thou hast magnified," &c. This clause is differently read. "Thou hast magnified thy name in thy word by performing thy word above all things." Or, "Thou hast magnified thy name and thy word above all things." See the notes. 6. "In the day when I cried," c. Finite creatures as we are, we must sometimes faint in our temptations and afflictions, if not strengthened by God. II. The prophet, having set down what God had in mercy done for him in calling him from following the ewes, &c., and making him king, and performing his promises to him seeing all this, the prophet judges it impossible but that the neighbouring and future kings should acknowledge the miracle and praise God. This appears the literal sense: but it may have reference to the conversion of kings in future ages to the faith. 1. "All the kings of the earth," c. Or the future kings of Israel. 2. "Yea, they shall sing in the ways," &c. His mercy, truth, clemency, &c.: "For great is the glory of the Lord." Righteous and glorious in all his works, of which this is one. "Though the Lord be high," &c. Of which David was an instance. "But the proud," &c., he removes far from him. Saul and others are examples of this. III. Because God who is high, &c. And David, being conscious of his own humility of mind, confidently expects help from God. 1. "Though I walk," &c.

8. will perfect that which concerneth me] Will accomplish His promises and purposes for me. Cp. Psalms 57:2; Philippians 1:6 (ἐπιτελεῖν is the word used in Aquila’s version here). forsake not the works of thine own hands] The plural works and the parallelism of the first line shew that the meaning is not ‘Do not abandon Israel whom Thou hast made’; but ‘Do not fail to carry forward to completion the mighty works which Thou hast undertaken to do for Israel.’ Cp. Psalms 90:16; Psalms 92:5; Psalms 143:5.

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me - He will complete what he has begun. He will not begin to interpose in my behalf, and then abandon me. He will not promise to save me, and then fail to fulfill his promise.

8. Perfect that which concerneth me—He will finish, accomplish, all that relates to my welfare. Nothing shall fall to the ground. All shall work for good, tending to one complete result.