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Psalms on Saturday ~ Psalm 108

Nobody can help but God alone!

O God, I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn! (Psalm 108:1-2, ESV)

I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn! (Psalm 57:8, ESV)

Did my typing stutter while writing this Interruption? Yes, Psalm 108:1-2 is the same as Psalm 57:8.

Psalm 108 copies two other Psalms to make a new Psalm.

The first five verses of Psalm 108 are found in Psalm 57:7-11 and the last eight verses of Psalm 108 are copied from Psalm 60:5-12.

King David wrote all three Psalms.

One commentator writes about Psalm 1o8 copying from both Psalm 57 and Psalm 60…

God’s truth is adaptable to new situations and old songs become “new songs” when new challenges are matched with changeless theology.

The contexts of Psalm 57 and Psalm 60 are personal enemies; while the background of Psalm 108 is the national enemies of Israel.

Both situations – personal and national – need one word of advice found in Psalm 108…

My heart is steadfast, O God! (v. 1)

King David understood that victory is found in God alone. He wrote of personal victory in Psalm 57 and Psalm 60, but Psalm 108 describes national victory.  

We find our personal victory in God alone.  

But the context of national victory was unique for Israel, as they were established through covenant as God’s people. No other country – the U.S.A., Philippines, Russia, China, or Ghana – has the same covenant.

But God’s people do!

When David writes about victory in verses 5 and 6, we can claim the promise today…

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth. That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand, and answer me!

We need to remember that as on the Day of the Lord when nothing helps – nations, false saviors, money, cultural influencers, or the promises of politicians, that… 

God, help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. With God’s help, we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes (vv. 12-13, TLV).

Psalm 108 is repetitive on the topic of the safety and the deliverance found in God. Yes, the Psalm repeats itself. But this theme needs repeating.

Nobody can help but God alone!

Nobody can help but God alone!