PSALM 108

1 A Song. A Psalm of David. O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. 2 Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn. 3 I will praise You, O LORD, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations. 4 For Your mercy [is] great above the heavens, And Your truth [reaches] to the clouds. 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, And Your glory above all the earth; 6 That Your beloved may be delivered, Save [with] Your right hand, and hear me. 7 God has spoken in His holiness: “I will rejoice; I will divide Shechem And measure out the Valley of Succoth. 8 Gilead [is] Mine; Manasseh [is] Mine; Ephraim also [is] the helmet for My head; Judah [is] My lawgiver. 9 Moab [is] My washpot; Over Edom I will cast My shoe; Over Philistia I will triumph.” 10 Who will bring me [into] the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom? 11 [Is it] not [You], O God, [who] cast us off? And [You], O God, [who] did not go out with our armies? 12 Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless. 13 Through God we will do valiantly, For [it is] He [who] shall tread down our enemies.

PSALM 108:1-13

RECYCLED PRAISE

We have seen this Psalm before or at least we have seen pieces of it in two other places (Psalm 57:7-11 and Psalm 60:5-12). In a sense this is a recycled Psalm. David has taken pieces of other Psalms and put them together in a new context and a new way of praise. It think it’s very fitting seeing as how we have been going through these early 100 psalms and noting that God’s faithfulness in the past is fuel for our faith in the present and the future. How great it is that we can use parts of old songs and prayers in the face of our present circumstances.

David blends two thoughts together to meet his present circumstances. He blends the concept of steadfastness/ courage with the principle that it is God who fights for us. When David met Goliath on the hillside his courage came not necessarily from his own ability, but that God wouldn’t let the giant go unanswered. David’s courage came from God.

We can have the same courage facing our present circumstances, especially as we pray and seek after God’s will. We know that it is God who fights our battles and we can take courage and remain steadfast knowing that God is in control.

I can’t help but be reminded today of Martin Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” written at a crucial time in Luther’s life when he was facing persecution. I’ve included the second verse because it’s what sticks out most in my mind in light of our present reading. It has served as an encouragement and has become an anthem in my own life when facing moments that call for courage in our Christian walk.

1. A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing; our helper he amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing. For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; his craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal. 2. Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God’s own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.

PRAYER

Father, Thank you for your faithfulness in our past that gives us confidence to face the future. Thank you for grace to be steadfast and courageous because you are not a God who is moved or unseated by our trivial challenges, but you are in control of all your creation. We look to you for your wisdom, your grace, your discernment in the midst of whatever challenges we face. We seek after you and your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’m reading and blogging the Psalms Through The Summer. I’d love for you to join me. You can find out a little more here.