Bible Strands
Psalms 138:6
Though the LORD is on high, He attends to the lowly; but the proud He knows from afar.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The psalmist addresses Yahweh directly, between praising God's ways (v.5) and declaring God's preservation in trouble (v.7). He is a person who has been delivered and is now stating a principle about God's character.
The words — מִמֶּרְחָק (mi-merchak), "from a distance," attaches to the verb יִידָע ("he knows") applied to the proud, while the lowly are the object of יִרְאֶה ("he sees") with no distance attached. The contrast is not whether God knows both, but the proximity of that knowing.
The thread — Isaiah 57:15 states the same principle: "I dwell in a high and holy place, with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit." 1 Samuel 2:7 and Psalms 113:5 frame the same exaltation-and-humbling dynamic.
Why it lands — The verse places the reader in one of two positions: seen up close, or known from a distance. It is not a comfort for the humble or a threat to the proud; it is a description of where God's attention actually falls.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
Cross-references
- Psalms 113:5 Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high?
- 1 Samuel 2:7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.
- Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
- Proverbs 3:34 He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
- James 4:6 But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
- Isaiah 66:2 Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.
- Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
- Luke 1:48 For He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.
- Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”