John Calvin Commentary Psalms 138:6

"For though Jehovah is high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly; But the haughty he knoweth from afar." — Psalms 138:6 (ASV)

Because Jehovah the exalted, etc. In this verse he commends God’s general government of the world. The most necessary thing to know is that He is not indifferent to our safety. For though in words we are all ready to grant this, our disbelief of it is shown by the fear we betray at the slightest appearance of danger, and we would not give way to such alarm if we were firmly convinced of our being under His fatherly protection.

Some read, Jehovah on high, meaning He sits on His heavenly throne governing the world. However, I prefer to consider that an opposition is intended: that the greatness of God does not prevent His regard for the poor and humble of the earth. This is confirmed by what is stated in the second clause: that being highly exalted, He recognises from afar, or from a distance.

Some read גבה, gabah, in the accusative case, and this gives a meaning to the words that fits the context well: that God does not honor the high and haughty by looking closely at them—that He despises them—while, with regard to the poor and humble, who might seem to be at a great distance from Him, He takes care of them, as if they were near to Him.

Others render the verb ידע, yada, as to crush, and they understand the meaning to be that God, while He favors the lowly, treads down the mighty who glory in their prosperity. There is reason to doubt, however, whether any such refinement of meaning should be attached to David’s words. It is enough to conclude that he here repeats the same sentiment previously expressed: that God, though highly exalted, takes notice of what might be thought to escape His observation. Thus we have seen (Psalms 113:6):

The Lord dwelleth on high, yet he humbleth himself to behold both the things that are in heaven and on earth.

The meaning is that though God’s glory is far above all heavens, the distance at which He is placed does not prevent His governing the world by His providence. God is highly exalted, but He sees from afar, so that He does not need to change place when He would condescend to take care of us.

We on our part are poor and lowly, but our wretched condition is no reason why God will not concern Himself about us. While we view with admiration the immensity of His glory as raised above all heavens, we must not disbelieve His willingness to foster us under His fatherly care.

These two things are, very appropriately, joined here by David: that, on the one hand, when we think of God’s majesty we should not be terrified into a forgetfulness of His goodness and kindness, nor, on the other hand, lose our reverence for His majesty in contemplating the condescension of His mercy.