The Montifiore Manse

As I was prayerfully considering how to tie together several themes for some of the once-a-month studies we have in Georgetown, the Lord brought a text to mind:

Psalm 138:2 "I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."

The last part of vs. 2 especially struck me: "for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."

I had considered this text before. It was first pointed out to me, though I know I must have read it several times before (amazing how dependent we are, and must be, on the Holy Spirit to even see and pay attention to the words of a text), by Foppe VanderZwaag. I would often get together with Foppe (Rev. VanderZwaag, Pastor of the Grand Rapids HRC) and his family and stay for coffee or just drop by for a visit. Among other things, we would talk about different texts or issues in theology we were working through (as you can imagine, I greatly miss those times with Foppe and his family). One of those times, he mentioned this text and asked me what I thought it could mean. I had no idea.

Recently, I believe the Lord has given me a little more insight and this text has come to dominate much of my thoughts of late.

First, we must note that the KJV's translation is correct: "for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." The NIV's translation, "for you have exalted above all things your name and your word" misses the meaning.

Second, when you see "thy word" it must be Christ (John 1:1-3, just naming one of many texts that could be provided). However, the questions "How does it refer to Christ?" and "What does it mean concerning Christ?" must be answered to make sure we are not just reading an idea back into the text.

So how does Psalm 138:2 refer to Christ?

After my own exegesis and reflection, I found my conclusion confirmed by Archibald Alexander in his Commentary on the Psalms (incidentally, for my seminarian and pastor friends, if you do not have Alexander on the Psalms GET IT and also pick up his reprinted sermons Theology on Fire Vol. 1& 2). Alexander notes, "Above all thy name i.e. all the previous manifestations of thy nature. Thy word, literally thy saying, that which thou hast said, but applied specifically to the divine promise." Henry Ainsworth in his Annotations on the Pentateuch and the Psalms (it also includes the Song of Songs) worded it even better, "THY WORD or, thy saying, thy promise in Christ concerning thy people, is greater than all other things whereby thou hast made thyself known." In summary, we know the Lord most and best through the revelation of Himself in the Person and work of His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord.

So what does Psalm 138:2 mean concerning Christ?

1. It means Christ is the greatest revelation of Himself the Lord has given.

Colossians 1:15 "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature"

Hebrews 1:1-4 "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they."

2. It means Christ is exalted above all.

Colossians 1:18, 19 "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell."

I Corinthians 15:27, 28 "For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all."

A last question that must be asked is "What does Psalm 138:2 mean for those trusting in Christ?"

1. All things will work together for our good because Christ must have His family.

Romans 8:28, 29 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."

2. We have the gurantee of being with the Lord, like the Lord, and free from sin, because Christ must have His family.

Colossians 1:18 "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

I Corinthians 15:48-54 "As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory."

The Lord Jesus shows us who our great God is and in Christ's exaltaion we find comfort and our own exaltation. In God's revelation of Himself as the gracious redeemer by the work of His Son, we are redeemed and upheld.

Much more can be said of Christ, and the effects of His work, from this text. As I have considered it, the Lord has given me strength and blessing. It is always amazing to be reminded afresh of the marvelousness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I have found myself greatly challanged and inspired. I think I will be working through, praying through, searching out, and thinking in terms of Psalm 138:2 for a long time.

In our first consideration of Psalm 138:2 at Georgetown, we saw how the soverign exaltation of Christ should comfort us. In the next two studies in Georgetown over the next two months, we hope to see how Dispensationalsim is unBiblical and then that covenant theology is Biblical.

Please remember me, Martha and Julia, and the cause of Christ here in Tasmania (especially Launceston and Georgetown) in your prayers.

The Lord Jesus be with you all.