In Psalm 138, the psalmist praises God for his love and faithfulness as a witness before all the "gods"---i.e., the heavenly beings.
In verse 2 he declares, "Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name" (KJV). What does this statement mean?
Here is the idea: God's word---his promises, the things that he has said he will do---go even beyond the things that God has done already, the things upon which God's reputation---his name---is based.
The NIV Application Commentary paraphrases the statement, "For you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame."
The midrash on Psalm 138 pictures the children of Israel, after they have been restored in the land and all wickedness has been destroyed, saying, "The things that you have done surpass even what you promised through the prophets."
There is a similar statement in 1 Cor 2:9, where Paul quotes Isa 64:4: "What no eye has seen, nor eye heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him ..."
As we consider God's mighty works from the past, remember that even greater things lie ahead.
