The first part of Psalm 138:1 talks about praising God with our whole heart. The second half of this verse seems a bit unusual at first glance. It says, “…before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.” We know that God is great, honorable, glorious, and righteous; but what about the other gods? Are there not many gods worshiped and served by other nations? There are, but they are not like unto the Lord God. I Chronicles 16:24-27 says, “24) Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. 25) For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. 26) For all the gods of the people are idols: but the LORD made the heavens. 27) Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place.” Also, in I Corinthians 8:5,6 the Bible says, “5) For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”
When God delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt, Moses sang a song unto the Lord. Part of this song said, “Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11) The Bible answers this question in Hannah’s prayer in I Samuel 2:2, “There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.” God Himself says it very plainly in Isaiah 45:6b, “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me.”
God is so great that His name should be made glorious in all places in the earth. “1) Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands: 2) Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious.” (Psalm 66:1,2) One day all God’s enemies will be subdued and all the earth shall worship and sing to God. “3) Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. 4) All the earth shall worship thee, and shall sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Selah.” (Psalm 66:3,4)
This great God who is above all gods – mighty, powerful, righteous and doing wonders – is our God. He is the one we love, pray to, worship and trust in today. This God, the one true God, is the God that is there for our help, and there is none like Him. “26) There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. 27) The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:26,27a)