Psalms 108

13 verses

TL;DR

The psalm is an exuberant declaration of faith, praising God's mercy and sovereignty while seeking deliverance from enemies.

Summary

In Psalm 108 the psalmist declares a fixed heart and intent to sing praise with joy. He calls the psaltery and harp to awaken early, proclaiming worship among the people and the nations. The psalm extols God's great mercy above the heavens, inviting God’s exaltation and deliverance of His beloved. It includes symbolic territorial claims—Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, Judah, Moab, Edom, and Philistia—illustrating divine authority over lands and enemies. The psalm concludes with a plea for help against threats, trusting that God will tread down the adversaries.

Outline

1. Opening praise and worship with musical imagery
2. Assertion of God’s mercy, sovereignty, and deliverance over nations
3. Request for divine help against enemies and affirmation of God's victory

Themes

Praise and worshipDivine mercy and sovereigntyDeliverance from enemies

Keywords

praisemercydeliverancesacrificeterritorial sovereigntyenemyvictory

People

God

Places

ShechemSuccothGileadManassehEphraimJudahMoabEdomPhilistia

Things

psalteryharpgloryright handvalleywashpotshoestrong city

Key Verses

Psalms 108:4: Highlights the vastness of God's mercy beyond the heavens
Psalms 108:6: Asserts God's power to deliver and his response to the psalmist
Psalms 108:13: Affirms confidence that God will subdue enemies and deliver triumph

Questions

What does the psalmist mean by "I will divide Shechem"?
How does the imagery of a washpot or a shoe relate to God's dominion over nations?
Why does the psalmist emphasize both praise and plea for help in the same passage?
In what way does the psalm’s mention of both distant nations and immediate enemies reflect the psalmist’s view of God's reach?
How does Psalm 108 fit within the broader Psalter’s theme of trust in divine protection?

Sentiment

positive
Overall tone of worship, confidence, and hope.