Psalms 108: A Heart Resolved to Praise and Trust
O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;
That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.
God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.
Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
Psalms 108 is a unique tapestry woven from the threads of two other Psalms, Psalms 57 and 60. It’s attributed "of David" because it utilizes his inspired words, even if the final arrangement wasn't directly his doing. It is a powerful declaration of unwavering loyalty, trust in God's sovereignty, and a confident expectation of His ultimate victory. Understanding the context of its source material enriches our appreciation of this Psalm.
A Fusion of Faith and Hope (108:1-6)
The first part of Psalms 108 (108:1-5) mirrors Psalms 57:7-11, born out of David's struggles to evade King Saul's relentless pursuit. In the face of danger, David doesn't succumb to despair. Instead, he proclaims a heart steadfastly fixed on God. "My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!" (Psalms 108:1). This isn't a passive hope, but an active, intentional choice to praise God.
David commits to praising God with music, even from the earliest hours of the day. This early morning devotion signifies the priority God holds in his life. He desires to see God's praise resound not just within Israel, but among all the nations. "I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations" (Psalms 108:3). This reflects a vision for God's glory to be revealed throughout the earth. David expresses his confidence in God, praising Him for His faithful love and faithfulness. He desires to see God exalted and to see Him save His people (Psalms 108:5-6).
God's Sovereignty and the Need for Divine Help (108:7-13)
The second half of Psalms 108 (108:6-13) echoes Psalms 60:5-12, which was written during a time of war and national crisis, with threats from the north and a surprise attack from Edom to the south (Psalms 60:1-5). This section emphasizes God's ultimate power and sovereignty. God answers, declaring His ownership of the territories of Israel (Psalms 108:7-8) and His power over Israel’s enemies (Psalms 108:9).
Despite the surrounding turmoil, David finds reassurance in God's promises. He acknowledges God's dominion over the land and His intention to subdue Israel's adversaries. Yet, David knew that he needed leadership and help. Unless the Lord accompanied David’s armies, there was no hope; human help is worthless (Psalms 108:11-12). The acknowledgment that human help is worthless without God is a crucial lesson. It's a humble recognition that true victory comes not from military might or strategic prowess, but from divine intervention.
David concludes with a declaration of faith: "With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes" (Psalms 108:13). Even when it seems that God is not immediately intervening, David trusts that the Lord will ultimately bring victory. Without God, we are impotent to achieve anything. With God we will perform valiantly.
Enduring Relevance for Today
Psalms 108 teaches us several vital lessons:
- The Power of a Steadfast Heart: In times of trouble, we can choose to fix our hearts on God, praising Him even amidst our struggles.
- God's Sovereignty Over All: God is in control, even when circumstances seem chaotic and uncertain.
- The Futility of Self-Reliance: True victory comes not from our own strength, but from God's power working through us.
- Worship as a Weapon: Praising God is not just an expression of gratitude, but a powerful weapon against fear and despair.
Psalms 108 is a reminder that even when we face daunting challenges, we can approach the future with confidence, knowing that God is our ultimate source of strength and victory. By combining praise, trust, and reliance on God, we, too, can "do valiantly" and overcome the obstacles in our path.
O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;
That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.
God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.
Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
Psalms 108 is a unique tapestry woven from the threads of two other Psalms, Psalms 57 and 60. It’s attributed "of David" because it utilizes his inspired words, even if the final arrangement wasn't directly his doing. It is a powerful declaration of unwavering loyalty, trust in God's sovereignty, and a confident expectation of His ultimate victory. Understanding the context of its source material enriches our appreciation of this Psalm.
A Fusion of Faith and Hope (108:1-6)
The first part of Psalms 108 (108:1-5) mirrors Psalms 57:7-11, born out of David's struggles to evade King Saul's relentless pursuit. In the face of danger, David doesn't succumb to despair. Instead, he proclaims a heart steadfastly fixed on God. "My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!" (Psalms 108:1). This isn't a passive hope, but an active, intentional choice to praise God.
David commits to praising God with music, even from the earliest hours of the day. This early morning devotion signifies the priority God holds in his life. He desires to see God's praise resound not just within Israel, but among all the nations. "I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations" (Psalms 108:3). This reflects a vision for God's glory to be revealed throughout the earth. David expresses his confidence in God, praising Him for His faithful love and faithfulness. He desires to see God exalted and to see Him save His people (Psalms 108:5-6).
God's Sovereignty and the Need for Divine Help (108:7-13)
The second half of Psalms 108 (108:6-13) echoes Psalms 60:5-12, which was written during a time of war and national crisis, with threats from the north and a surprise attack from Edom to the south (Psalms 60:1-5). This section emphasizes God's ultimate power and sovereignty. God answers, declaring His ownership of the territories of Israel (Psalms 108:7-8) and His power over Israel’s enemies (Psalms 108:9).
Despite the surrounding turmoil, David finds reassurance in God's promises. He acknowledges God's dominion over the land and His intention to subdue Israel's adversaries. Yet, David knew that he needed leadership and help. Unless the Lord accompanied David’s armies, there was no hope; human help is worthless (Psalms 108:11-12). The acknowledgment that human help is worthless without God is a crucial lesson. It's a humble recognition that true victory comes not from military might or strategic prowess, but from divine intervention.
David concludes with a declaration of faith: "With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes" (Psalms 108:13). Even when it seems that God is not immediately intervening, David trusts that the Lord will ultimately bring victory. Without God, we are impotent to achieve anything. With God we will perform valiantly.
Enduring Relevance for Today
Psalms 108 teaches us several vital lessons:
- The Power of a Steadfast Heart: In times of trouble, we can choose to fix our hearts on God, praising Him even amidst our struggles.
- God's Sovereignty Over All: God is in control, even when circumstances seem chaotic and uncertain.
- The Futility of Self-Reliance: True victory comes not from our own strength, but from God's power working through us.
- Worship as a Weapon: Praising God is not just an expression of gratitude, but a powerful weapon against fear and despair.
Psalms 108 is a reminder that even when we face daunting challenges, we can approach the future with confidence, knowing that God is our ultimate source of strength and victory. By combining praise, trust, and reliance on God, we, too, can "do valiantly" and overcome the obstacles in our path.