What does it mean that God holds His Word above His name (Psalm 138:2)?

As to Psalm 138:2. No doubt "Thy Word" refers to that measure of revelation God had given of Himself to Moses and others up to the date of it, largely expressed as you say in promise. "Thy Name," too, is significant, as the name of a Divine Person contains in it the character of the blessing to be known according to it. To the weak pilgrims of faith the "Almighty" gave them their resources of power. To failing Israel the unfailing immutability of counsel and purpose expressed in the "I AM THAT I AM." To us the God and Father of our Lord Jesus leads into an intimacy of individual relationship as set forth in Christ's place as Man before His Father and His God, as now won for us in righteousness by redemption. How then can His Word be said to be magnified above all "Thy Name"? I believe it is as Gesenius has expressed it — beyond all that can be predicated of Him as so revealed. No word of His then shall fail of its accomplishment, if this is but the negative side of it. It surely gives a magnificent place to the Word of God, though I take it it is rather the spoken word as in 1 Peter 1:23 and by which He made the worlds in Hebrew 11 rather than ho logos, which is more the name itself now in John 1 as God infinitely expressed — that expression being as eternal as His nature (ver. 2).

The temple is not in existence now (2006), but will be in that day, and Israelites will have their faces toward that temple in worshiping the Lord. Two specific reasons for the worship are noted here —:"for Your loving-kindness and Your truth." The world may not think of these as being exercised at the same time, but they will be perfectly united then, as they always are in God's dealings, but not recognized as such by Israel for centuries. Inseparably connected with these is the truth of the words, "You have magnified Your Word in accordance with all Your name" (v. 2 — Numerical Bible). God's name is infinitely great, so His Word is not above it, but consistent with it, that is, His Word is also infinite — unlimited —for its truths can be expanded again and again without any damage to its message.

The praise is called forth by God's Name and God's Word. God's Name declares God's character as marked by loving-kindness and truth. God's Word declares His Name, and must ever be in accord with that Name. God is ever faithful to His Word, and, by fulfilling His Word, He magnifies it above all His Name. Men profess the Name of God, but set aside the Word of God. God, Himself, magnifies His Word above His Name.

How exalted is God’s Word is seen when we read, “Thou hast magnified Thy Word ABOVE all Thy name” (Ps. 138:2). God’s name is inexpressibly blessed, but the making of it known for His creature’s blessing is still dearer to His heart, and He makes it known through His Word. So the Lord said in that most wonderful prayer recorded in John 17, “Thy Word [whether spoken or written] is truth” (v. 17).

In this Psalm the word is praised again — esteemed above all God's name or revelation of Himself. The worshipper owns that he had cried, and the Lord had heard him. This was to the honour of His word; this was the faithfulness of His promise. But we know that it is only in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, that all the promises are thus yea and amen (2 Cor. 1:19-20), and that He Himself, in an eminent sense, is the word. So that this Psalm is as the language of a soul upon its discovery of Jesus. He learns "the Word" (John 1:1) or "the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ," and sees that God has magnified Himself in that revelation beyond all other, and that there He shines, full of loving-kindness and truth, or, in the language of the New Testament, of "grace and truth" (v. 2, John 1:14). God has published His Name again and again in the progress of this world's history. He has successively unfolded the glory of it. He is "God," "the Lord God," "God Almighty," "Jehovah;" and now He stands revealed in fulness in the light and glory and blessedness of His New Testament name.

Psalm 138: 2 states 'I will . praise Thy Name . for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy Name'. All the glories of His Name are belittled if we doubt His word. If we cannot rely on God's revelation of Himself, what is there left?

Verse 1. "God who at sundry times," etc. That was before the time came for the revelation of Himself. Messages were sent through others. They had communications from God, for He spake to them through the prophets: but now we have the manifestation of Himself. The Son of God has now come. "God hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." Thus the word is so exalted. "Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." His name up to that time was exalted. He had made Himself known to Abraham as the Lord Almighty, telling him to trust His power, when he had to walk up and down as a stranger, with none to take care of him. Then again He was made known to Nebuchadnezzar as the most High God, higher than any of the gods of the nations; and to Abraham too He was called thus, when he returned from the slaughter of the kings. He will take it again when the kingdom comes. Then, again, He was known by the name Jehovah - "I am" - the practical force of which is "the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." All these names were glorious; but the word He has magnified above all. The word is that which tells all that God is - holiness, love, wisdom, etc. His word expresses His thoughts and feelings; it is the revelation of Himself. God speaks by Christ. Everything that Christ did was the manifestation of God. Who could heal the leper but God? "I will, be thou clean," are His words. Who could raise the dead but God? "Lazarus, come forth!" "I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me," John 17:8. He has committed His words to us, to be the vessels of His testimony according to our measure. "He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true."

“Thou hast magnified Thy Word above all Thy Name” (Psalm 138:2).

This remarkable statement shows the wonderful position the Bible has in the mind of God. God’s Word is the declaration of God Himself, and that is above His name, His renown. We can have no knowledge of God apart from revelation, and for this we must have God’s Word either spoken or written.

Notice the stress laid on the word of God here. The natural system must bend to His will. The fixed laws which even His enemies set up to block Him out of sight and hearing have over and over again bowed to His word, not only in a small sphere but on the largest scale. It may repent Him of His work, when it rebels against Him and He interferes to reprove, punish and destroy. But His word He exalts above all His name. It is the expression of His mind, purpose and love, as well as His majesty in judgment.

There is a remarkable expression in Psalm 138:2, "Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy Name." Is there some explanation of this in verses 4 and 5? "All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of Thy mouth"? Will not the glory of the LORD (v.5) be enhanced in the eyes of the great ones of the earth as His word reaches their hearts and minds? "Though the LORD be high, yet hath He respect to the lowly." Is not this the testimony of how He is reaching out through His Word to those ready to receive it? Of one blessed fact we can be certain, Christ, the Eternal Word, will put His impress in the day to come upon every feature of the Word of God, creation will reflect His greatness; myriads will be conformed to His likeness, and all will speak forth His worth and glory.