Psalms 108

¹ A Song [or] Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.

² Awake, psaltery and harp: I [myself] will awake early.

³ I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.

⁴ For thy mercy [is] great above the heavens: and thy truth [reacheth] unto the clouds.

⁵ Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;

⁶ That thy beloved may be delivered: save [with] thy right hand, and answer me.

⁷ God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

⁸ Gilead [is] mine; Manasseh [is] mine; Ephraim also [is] the strength of mine head; Judah [is] my lawgiver;

⁹ Moab [is] my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.

¹⁰ Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?

¹¹ [Wilt] not [thou], O God, [who] hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?

¹² Give us help from trouble: for vain [is] the help of man.

¹³ Through God we shall do valiantly: for he [it is that] shall tread down our enemies.

Overview of Psalm 108

Psalm 108 is a unique composition that combines elements from two earlier psalms, specifically Psalm 57 and Psalm 60. It serves as a declaration of praise and a plea for divine assistance in the face of challenges. The psalmist expresses confidence in God’s power and sovereignty, while also acknowledging the need for divine intervention in battles.

Structure of Psalm 108

The chapter can be divided into several key sections:

1. Verses 1-5: A Call to Praise
   • The psalmist begins with a personal declaration of steadfastness and readiness to worship.
   • There is an emphasis on singing and making music to glorify God.
   • The psalmist calls upon the nations to join in praising God’s greatness.
2. Verses 6-9: A Declaration of Divine Help
   • The psalmist invokes God to provide help against enemies.
   • There is a proclamation of God’s sovereignty over the nations.
   • The imagery of God as a ruler over the earth is presented.
3. Verses 10-13: A Prayer for Victory
   • The psalmist questions who will lead them into battle.
   • There is a recognition of past failures and a plea for divine assistance.
   • The psalmist expresses confidence that through God, victory will be achieved.

Thematic Analysis

Psalm 108 encapsulates several key themes:

• Praise and Worship:

  The psalm opens with a strong emphasis on worship, indicating that praise is central to the believer’s relationship with God.

• Divine Sovereignty:

  The psalmist acknowledges God’s supreme authority over all nations, reinforcing the idea that God is in control of history and events.

• Human Dependence on God:

  The plea for help in battle highlights the human need for divine support in times of struggle and conflict.

• Confidence in God’s Deliverance:

  Despite the challenges faced, there is a strong undercurrent of faith that God will provide victory and assistance.

Literary Devices

The psalm employs various literary devices to enhance its message:

• Imagery:

  Vivid imagery is used to convey the greatness of God and the seriousness of the psalmist’s situation.

• Parallelism:

  As is common in Hebrew poetry, parallelism is used to emphasize points and create rhythm in the text.

• Rhetorical Questions:

  Questions posed in verses 10-11 serve to highlight the urgency of the situation and the need for God’s intervention.

Theological Implications

Psalm 108 raises important theological considerations:

• The Nature of God:

  The psalm affirms God’s power, sovereignty, and willingness to intervene on behalf of His people.

• The Role of Worship:

  It emphasizes the importance of worship as both a response to God’s greatness and a means of seeking His help.

• Faith in Adversity:

  The psalm encourages believers to maintain faith and trust in God, even when facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Conclusion

Psalm 108 is a powerful expression of faith, combining elements of praise, petition, and confidence in God’s deliverance. It serves as a reminder of the importance of worship and reliance on God in times of trouble, and it calls believers to recognize God’s sovereignty over all aspects of life.