Psalms 138:6 Meaning and Explanation
“Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Though God is supremely exalted, He attends to the humble while distancing Himself from the arrogant.
The Context of Psalms 138:6
God's contrasting posture toward the humble and the arrogant.
What Does Psalms 138:6 Mean?
This verse reveals a striking paradox at the heart of God's character. His 'highness' speaks of absolute transcendence and authority—He is lifted infinitely above all creation. Yet 'hath he respect unto the lowly' shows He is not remote or indifferent. He bends His attention toward those who are humble, broken, and recognize their need. This is not condescension but genuine attentiveness and care.
The contrast with the proud sharpens the point. The proud person who refuses to acknowledge God's supremacy is not crushed by force but 'known afar off'—held at distance, not intimately engaged. This is not punishment so much as the natural consequence of self-sufficiency. Those who shut themselves off from dependence on God and humble reception of His word find themselves separated from the very relationship they rejected.
Psalms 138:6 in the Original Language
gavah (גָּבַהּ), 'high' — elevated, exalted, supreme in position and authority
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 138:6
What does Psalms 138:6 mean?
Though God is supremely exalted, He attends to the humble while distancing Himself from the arrogant.
What is the context of Psalms 138:6?
God's contrasting posture toward the humble and the arrogant.