The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 108
In brief
Psalm 108 is a song of David that combines the endings of Psalms 57 and 60. It begins with a steadfast heart that sings and wakes the dawn, because God's goodness rises above the heavens. It continues with a prayer in distress and a conclusion: help from man is vain, but through God we will do valiantly. Praise and petition go together here.
The chapter in 3 parts
1My heart is steadfast, God. I will sing and I will make music with my soul.
2Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn.
3I will give thanks to you, Yahweh, among the nations. I will sing praises to you among the peoples.
4For your loving kindness is great above the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
5Be exalted, God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth.
6That your beloved may be delivered, save with your right hand, and answer us.
7God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph, I will divide Shechem, and measure out the valley of Succoth.
8Gilead is mine. Manasseh is mine. Ephraim also is my helmet. Judah is my scepter.
9Moab is my wash pot. I will toss my sandal on Edom. I will shout over Philistia.”
10Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who has led me to Edom?
11Haven’t you rejected us, God? You don’t go out, God, with our armies.
12Give us help against the enemy, for the help of man is vain.
13Through God, we will do valiantly. For it is he who will tread down our enemies.
Key verses
My heart is steadfast, God. I will sing and I will make music with my soul.
David begins with the decision of his heart, already steadfast, before the situation changes. Praise comes before deliverance.
Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the dawn.
The psalmist says he will wake the dawn, rather than wait for the dawn to wake him. He takes the initiative to praise from the morning.
For your loving kindness is great above the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
The reason for praise: God's goodness rises above the heavens and his faithfulness to the clouds. It is therefore higher than the problems.
Give us help against the enemy, for the help of man is vain.
The admission of dependence: help from man is vain. The request for help is addressed to God alone.
Through God, we will do valiantly. For it is he who will tread down our enemies.
The last verse expresses trust: through God we will do valiantly. It is God who acts and who tramples the enemies.
Bible verses to meditate on
Test your knowledge
Frequently asked questions about Psalm 108
What does Psalm 108 mean?
Psalm 108 joins confident praise and prayer in distress. David states his decision to sing to God among the nations, then asks for his help and recalls God's promises about the land. The message is that praise does not wait for the end of the trial: it rests on God's goodness and faithfulness, which reach beyond the heavens.
Why does Psalm 108 resemble Psalms 57 and 60?
Psalm 108 takes up the end of Psalm 57 (verses 1 to 5) and the end of Psalm 60 (verses 6 to 13). Biblical authors readily reused well-known texts to compose new songs. This reuse shows that these words served as a shared prayer, suited to many circumstances.
How do you pray Psalm 108?
Start with praise, even if not everything is resolved: decide, like David, to steady your heart and sing to God in the morning. Then bring him your distress by taking up verses 6 to 13, asking for his help rather than that of men. End with verse 13 as a declaration of trust.
World English Bible translation — public domain.