Psalm 138:6 Lowly, Loved

Psalm 138:6 Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.

Psalm 138 is headed Of David and although, as is usual, one cannot pin this down to any particular period in his life it reminds us of the struggles and deliverances he had throughout. He begins by expressing his determination to praise the LORD with all his heart. Before the "gods" I will sing your praise he says. He is not able to visit the Temple, it would seem, but he (2) will bow down toward it and praise God for his love and faithfulness, who has exalted above all things your name and your word. He has called out to God and God has answered him and made him bold and stouthearted. He wants, therefore, to be a means of stirring up all the kings of the earth to praise the LORD through this psalm. May they sing of the ways of the LORD, he says for the glory of the LORD is great. Then (in verses 6-8) come three statements about the Lord's character and ways with a final prayer do not abandon the works of your hands. To focus here just on verse 6 - Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar - we are touching on a theme often raised in Scripture. Perhaps the best known place is Proverbs 3:34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. There are three things in Psalm 138:6. First, the LORD is on high. He dwells in heaven and that is appropriate because he is Almighty God. His glory is great. However, he looks upon the lowly. He is not haughty like some, unwilling to consort with those beneath him. David can testify that is not the case. The flipside of this is that the proud he knows from afar. If you are proud, you will never know God or come to him. He does not know or love you. He will keep you at a distance. This is what David wants earth's kings to know. We all ought to know it and humble ourselves in the dust before God now, lest he keep us far off from him forever.