Bible Commentaries
Psalms 108

Verses 1-13

Psalms 108

Praise For Deliverance

Scripture v.1-13:

This Is a Davidic hymn, a warrior’s hymn, a national hymn of confidence in Israel’s God.

Verses 1-3 constitute a Davidic testimony of praise to God for past deliverance from oppression. He cried out, "O God, my heart is fixed," set, or resolved to "sing and give praise even with my glory," or with my rejoicing soul, Psalms 57:7. It is great to have a "fixed heart," in an "unfixed world," so that one can stand for some things worthwhile, Joshua 23:8; Ephesians 5:11-18; Numbers 21:17.
Verse 2 calls on the psaltery and harp to respond to his awakened joy, while the day was fresh or dawning, 1 Samuel 10:5; Genesis 4:21.
Verse 3 adds that he was determined to praise the Lord, singing praises to Him among and before the people of heathen nations, with all his soul, 2 Chronicles 5:13; Psalms 30:12; Psalms 103:1.

Verse 4 declares "For thy mercy is great above the heavens, and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds," or to the skies, coming down from God, above the skies, Psalms 36:5; Psalms 57:10; Psalms 100:5; Numbers 14:18; Deuteronomy 7:9; Micah 7:18-20. See too Deuteronomy 4:31; Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 119:64.

Verse 5 appeals for God to be exalted above the heavens and for his glory to be exalted above, as greater then the earth, His creation, as expressed 1 Chronicles 29:10; 1 Chronicles 29:13; Exodus 24:17.

Verse 6 calls on the Lord to save or deliver His beloved. "beloved ones," Israel; Even with His "right hand," hand of delivering power; And answer or respond to David’s longing cry, Deuteronomy 5:15; Psalms 25:20; 1 Chronicles 16:35.

Verses 7-9 relate that God has spoken in His holiness, an occasion for David’s rejoicing, as well as Israel, Genesis 3:8; Exodus 15:11; Israel then pledges to obey the voice of the Holy God; a) by dividing Shechem and metering out the valley of Succoth, Joshua 20:7.
Verse 8 certifies that b) Gilead and Manasseh belong to Israel and the Lord; and c) Ephraim is her headstrength, and d) Judah her lawgiver, Numbers 32:1; Exodus 19:5; Genesis 49:10;, e) Moab is the Lord’s washpot in Israel’s subjection, and f) over Edom He will cast His shoe of slavery, while triumphing over Philistia, Numbers 26:3; Genesis 21:34; Psalms 59:13.

Verses 10,11 rhetorically inquire just who will "bring me," Israel, into the strong city? Psalms 60:9. And "who would lead her into Edom," except the Lord. Verse 11 asks if the Jehovah God will cast Israel off, reject her? Suggesting that He surely will not, Deuteronomy 8:2; Leviticus 26:17. It is added "wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts," our armies, in your holy integrity, suggesting He surely would, Exodus 14:14.

Verse 12 appeals "Give us help from trouble: For vain (empty) is the help of man," without God, Isaiah 30:3; Deuteronomy 33:29; Psalms 118:9.

Verse 13 concludes "Through God we shall do valiantly," or triumph, adding "For He it is that shall tread down our enemies," an expression of true faith and hope in the God of the righteous, Numbers 14:18; Isaiah 25:10; Isaiah 63:14; La 1:15; Malachi 4:3.