With God’s Help we Can Do More Than we Think
July 19, 2019
Commentary
This passage is a reminder of how we can have victory in God’s strength. As you read this psalm you may say, “I’ve read all of this before.” The first five verses are taken right out of Psalm 57:7-11, and the last eight verses are taken right out of the last half of Psalm 60. The Holy Spirit takes pieces from these two psalms and arranges them in a slightly different way. This is not because He has run out of ideas, but because He wants to bring these particular truths to us in a fresh way.
The psalm revolves around four words: music, majesty, might, and mercy.
1. Music (vv. 1-3) – There had been no songs in Babylon. They had been looking at their circumstances of fears, frustrations and failings and were unable to sing. David had committed himself to praising the Lord always, even in his life before unbelievers.
2. Majesty (vv. 4-6) – In these verses we see the psalmist thoughts turning to the wonderful God upon whom his heart is fixed and who has filled his soul with song. He thrills at the fact of who God is. There is no power in heaven, on earth or in Hell that can prevent Him from delivering his beloved from whatever troubles they may face.
3. Might (vv. 7-11) – No power exists that can prevent God from accomplishing His plans. Furthermore, nothing can hinder God from doing what He intends with His plans, His people, and His prerogatives.
4. Mercy (vv. 12-13) – God is a God of mercy who takes care of us despite our failures. The writer opened with praise to the Lord. Then he reminded us of His promises to conquer our enemies and he closed with prayer for God’s help. Praise, promises, and prayer is a combination found often in the Psalms.
Application
Are my prayer requests often for God to just help me through a stressful situation? God wants to help me have more than survival in my life. With God’s help I can do more than I think. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me (Phil. 4:13).
Psalms 108:1– 13 (NET)
1 I am determined, O God. I will sing and praise you with my whole heart.
2 Awake, O stringed instrument and harp. I will wake up at dawn.
3 I will give you thanks before the nations, O Lord. I will sing praises to you before foreigners.
4 For your loyal love extends beyond the sky, and your faithfulness reaches the clouds.
5 Rise up above the sky, O God. May your splendor cover the whole earth.
6 Deliver by your power and answer me, so that the ones you love may be safe.
7 God has spoken in his sanctuary: “I will triumph! I will parcel out Shechem; the Valley of Sukkoth I will measure off.
8 Gilead belongs to me, as does Manasseh. Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my royal scepter.
9 Moab is my washbasin. I will make Edom serve me. I will shout in triumph over Philistia.”
10 Who will lead me into the fortified city? Who will bring me to Edom?
11 Have you not rejected us, O God? O God, you do not go into battle with our armies.
12 Give us help against the enemy, for any help men might offer is futile.
13 By God’s power we will conquer; he will trample down our enemies.