Psalm 108

Authorship

This Psalm was authored by David.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise. (1-3)

A. With my glory.

B. With my psaltery and harp.

C. Early.

D. Among the people.

E. Among the nations.

II. I will praise you because: (4)

A. Thy mercy is great above the heavens.

B. Thy truth reaches unto the clouds.

III. I will exalt You, oh God: (5)

A. Above the heavens.

B. Above the earth.

IV. I am asking that You: (6)

A. Deliver me.

B. Save me with Thy right hand.

C. Answer me.

V. This is what God has spoken about the nations (7-9) 253

A. Shechem: I will divide.

B. Succoth: I will mete out the valley.

(Note: Shechem and Succoth represent settling for less than what God has for us. Jacob tried to settle in Succoth and had problems from both Succoth and Shechem.)

C. Gilead: It is Mine.

D. Manasseh: It is Mine.

E. Ephraim: It is the strength of Mine head.

F. Judah: It is My lawgiver.

G. Moab: It is My wash pot.

H. Edom: I will cast My shoe over it (a sign of authority).

I. Philistia: I will triumph over it.

(Moab, Edom, and Philistia were three enemies of Israel.)

VI. The psalmist’s questions. (10-11)

A. Who will bring me into the strong city?

B. Who will lead me into Edom?

(Edom was a heavily fortified city, representing an impossible situation.) C. Wilt not Thou, O God, who hast cast us off?

D. Wilt not Thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?

VII. Give us help in trouble. (12-13)

A. For vain is the help of man.

B. Through You we shall do valiantly.

C. You will tread down our enemies.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 108,3(2) אָעִירָה {A} MT // exeg: G, Hebr, S, T

Ps 108,5(4) מֵעַל {A} MT, G, Hebr, T // assim-par: m, g, S

Ps 108,7(6) וַעֲנָנִי (A)

Ps 108,8(7) cor אֵעָלֶה {B} G // assim-parall: MT, Hebr, אֶעְלֹזָה / incert: S

Ps 108,11(10) מִי נָחַנִי {A} MT, T // exeg: G, Hebr, S

Ps 108,12(11) אֱלֹהִים {A} MT, G, σ', Hebr// abr-styl: m, S, T om