Psalms 108

Psalms 108:1-13

Victorious through God Psalms 108:1-13 Two fragments of Davidic psalms are here joined together with very slight alterations. In Psalms 108:1-5 are from Psalms 57:7-11, and Psalms 108:6-13 from Psalms 60:5-12. We need the fixed heart, ever constant to God, as is the needle to the pole. When we are right with God we go through the world, awakening song and hope in forlorn hearts. Note the themes for constant adoration, Psalms 108:3-5. Apparently David stood in imagination at the beginning of those conquests which made Israel great and extended her frontiers to the great river Euphrates. He felt that God had spoken in His holiness, and had already given him the territories here enumerated. All that remained for him to do was to occupy and possess what the Almighty had allotted. There is a close analogy here to our appropriation of those heavenly blessings which are ours in the risen Lord. It is not we who can tread down our adversaries. They are too strong and insidious. But when our heart is fixed, God goes before us, vanquishing our foes, and we have but to follow after, gathering in the spoils. In our inner conflicts, vain is human help, even the best. Go before us, Great Shepherd, with thy rod and staff!

My heart is fixed! This is a Davidic Psalm, and a variation of the sixtieth. It consists of three strophes. The first (Psalms 108:1-5) is borrowed with alterations frompsa. 57:7-11; the second (Psalms 108:6-9) and the third (Psalms 108:10-13) from Psalms 60:5-12. This Psalm expresses on behalf of God’s people, their firm confidence that He would deliver them, and ultimately give victory over all their enemies.

Psalms 108:1. My heart is fixed The fixed heart is the singing heart. Glory here stands for mouth or soul, whose praise pleases God (Psalms 30:12).

Psalms 108:2. I willawake the dawn (R.V., marg.) There is no time for praise like early morn. Let us ask God to waken us (Isaiah 50:4).

Psalms 108:6. That thy beloved may be delivered We are beloved in the “Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). Me in the A.V. is changed to us in R.V. The saint never prays alone; the voice of Jesus and of His Church blends with his.

Psalms 108:7. God hath spoken When God has spoken promising victory, we may begin to exult and divide the spoils of the war.

Psalms 108:8. Gilead Manasseh Ephraim David enumerates the various portions of the land which already owned his sway, and the other portions which he had subjugated. And in Christ the believer learns that all things are his (1 Corinthians 3:21). Even his enemies contribute to his possessions and wealth.

Psalms 108:10. Who will lead me into Edom? Most of us have an Edom before us, in the form of some difficulty or temptation. If we are abiding by faith in God, we shall discover the secret of entering as conquerors, even into the city of rock (Petra, the chief city of Edom, was cut in the rock).

Psalms 108:11. Wilt not Thou, O God? An implied answer to the question of Psa 108:10.

Psalms 108:12-13. Give us help from trouble “Vanity of vanities” is written on all human aid and on our resolutions and endeavors. If we will follow where God leads the way, we shall go from victory to victory. He will fight for us and tread down our foes; as when a strong man tramples down the forest undergrowth, and the little children have but to follow in his steps.