“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 fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. The affirmation of God's purposeful completion suggests that God has begun a work in the psalmist and will bring it to fulfillment. The invocation of steadfast love enduring forever recalls Psalm 136's repeated refrain, asserting the permanence of covenant faithfulness. The final petition (do not forsake the work of your hands) addresses God as creator and craftsperson who will not abandon His creation. The psalm concludes with both confidence in divine purpose and request that God remain faithful. This verse demonstrates that thanksgiving includes petition, trust includes prayer.
Church Fathers on Psalms 138:8
1. The title of this Psalm is brief and simple, and need not detain us; since we know whose resemblance David wore, and since in him we recognise ourselves also, for we too are members of that Body. The whole title is, “To David himself.” Let us see then, what is to David himself. The title of the Psalm is wont to tell us what is treated of within it: but in this, since the title informs us not of this, but tells us only to Whom it is chanted, the first verse tells us what is…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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