1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I sing your praise;
 

2 I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.
 

3 On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.

4 All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth,
 

5 and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.
 

6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
    but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.
 

8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.

The visual imagery in this psalm is incredible--heart surrendered, knees bowed, soul strengthened, cry heard, God bent close to hear and set free. Regardless of the deeper meaning, this psalm is poetically beautiful. Yet we know that this is the real response of a real man to hardship and trouble. 

Psalm 138 shows us a lot more than just a five-step process to getting out of difficult situations. God offers us so much in relationship with Him that is far more than checkboxes to mark off as you achieve them. He has love and purpose and redemption freely available, we just need to get in the right posture to receive them. 

Lord, I am grateful that You come close and You are not too far away to hear my prayers. Thank You for the purpose You have for me—not the one I’ve come up with for myself. Thank You for forming me, heart, knees, voice, soul for Your purposes and for delighting in me constantly.