I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart;
before the gods I sing your praise;
I bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name
for your steadfast love and your faithfulness… (Psa 138:1-2a)
As David sings and gives thanks to the LORD with his “whole heart,” notice what he says in the rest of verse 2:
…for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
To exalt is to raise in rank, power, or character. When we “exalt” someone, we are elevating them and acknowledging their worth.
Listen to Psalm 138. Your Creator has exalted his name and his word “above all things.” Think about that. Nothing–not one thing in the universe–is higher in rank, power, or worth than the name and the word of God. His name is more important than my name and your name. His word matters more than anyone else’s word.
Life, the way it was meant to be, recognizes these realities and follows the Creator’s lead. In fact, that’s the opportunity before each one of us on this, the Lord’s day—to say, “I give thanks to you with my whole heart. I sing your praise. I honor you for your steadfast love and faithfulness. I exalt your name and your word above all things.”
Let’s worship with that heart-fuel today. Let’s live and view the world through that lens this week. Could your prayers use a breath of fresh God-provided air? You’d be hard-pressed to find something better than adopting Psalm 138:2 and praying it as your own: “Father, help me to exalt your name and your word above all things.”
That’s the key to living with the confidence David expressed in Psalm 138:8: “The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me.”