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Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Psalms 108:6–13.
We may here learn how to pray as well as praise. 1. We must be public-spirited in prayer, and bear upon our hearts, at the throne of grace, the concerns of the church of God, Psa 108:6. It is God's beloved, and therefore must be ours; and therefore we must pray for its deliverance, and reckon that we are answered if God grant what we ask for his church, though he delay to give us what we ask for ourselves. "Save thy church, and thou answerest me; I have what I would have." Let the earth be filled with God's glory, and the prayers of David are ended (Psa 72:19, Psa 72:20); he desires no more. 2. We must, in prayer, act faith upon the power and promise of God - upon his power (Save with thy right hand, which is mighty to save), and upon his promise: God has spoken in his holiness, in his holy word, to which he has sworn by his holiness, and therefore I will rejoice, Psa 108:7. What he has promised he will perform, for it is the word both of his truth and of his power. An active faith can rejoice in what God has said, though it be not yet done; for with him saying and doing are not two things, whatever they are with us. 3. We must, in prayer, take the comfort of what God has secured to us and settled upon us, though we are not yet put in possession of it. God had promised David to give him, (1.) The hearts of his subjects; and therefore he surveys the several parts of the country as his own already: "Shechem and Succoth, Gilead and Manasseh, Ephraim and Judah, are all my own," Psa 108:8. With such assurance as this we may speak of the performance of what God has promised to the Son of David; he will, without fail, give him the heathen for his inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for his possession, for so has he spoken in his holiness; nay, of all the particular persons that were given him he will lose none; he also, as David, shall have the hearts of his subjects, Joh 6:37. And, (2.) The necks of his enemies. These are promised, and therefore David looks upon Moab, and Edom, and Philistia, as his own already (Psa 108:9): Over Philistia will I triumph, which explains Psa 60:8, Philistia, triumph thou because of me, which some think should be read, O my soul! triumph thou over Philistia. Thus the exalted Redeemer is set down at God's right hand, in a full assurance that all his enemies shall in due time be made his footstool, though all things are not yet put under him, Heb 2:8. 4. We must take encouragement from the beginnings of mercy to pray and hope for the perfecting of it (Psa 108:10, Psa 108:11): "Who will bring me into the strong cities that are yet unconquered? Who will make me master of the country of Edom, which is yet unsubdued?" The question was probably to be debated in his privy council, or a council of war, what methods they should take to subdue the Edomites and to reduce that country; but he brings it into his prayers, and leaves it in God's hands: Wilt not thou, O God? Certainly thou wilt. It is probable that he spoke with the more assurance concerning the conquest of Edom because of the ancient oracle concerning Jacob and Esau, that the elder should serve the younger, and the blessing of Jacob, by which he was made Esau's lord, Gen 27:37. 5. We must not be discouraged in prayer, nor beaten off from our hold of God, though Providence has in some instances frowned upon us: "Though thou hast cast us off, yet thou wilt now go forth with our hosts, Psa 108:11. Thou wilt comfort us again after the time that thou hast afflicted us." Adverse events are sometimes intended for the trial of the constancy of our faith and prayer, which we ought to persevere in whatever difficulties we meet with, and not to faint. 6. We must seek help from God, renouncing all confidence in the creature (Psa 108:12): "Lord, give us help from trouble, prosper our designs, and defeat the designs of our enemies against us." It is not unseasonable to talk of trouble at the same time that we talk of triumphs, especially when it is to quicken prayer for help from heaven; and it is a good plea, Vain is the help of man. "It is really so, and therefore we are undone if thou do not help us; we apprehend it to be so, and therefore depend upon thee for help and have the more reason to expect it." 7. We must depend entirely upon the favour and grace of God, both for strength and success in our work and warfare, Psa 108:13. (1.) We must do our part, but we can do nothing of ourselves; it is only through God that we shall do valiantly. Blessed Paul will own that even he can do nothing, nothing to purpose, but through Christ strengthening him, Phi 4:13. (2.) When we have acquitted ourselves ever so well, yet we cannot speed by any merit or might of our own; it is God himself that treads down our enemies, else we with all our valour cannot do it. Whatever we do, whatever we gain, God must have all the glory.
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Summary
Psalms 108:10 presents a poignant rhetorical question, "Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?", articulating the psalmist's profound awareness of human inadequacy in the face of formidable challenges, particularly the conquest of a heavily fortified city and a hostile nation. This cry implicitly poses the question of divine intervention, setting the stage for the psalm's subsequent declaration of God's indispensable role in granting victory and leading His people through seemingly insurmountable obstacles, thereby highlighting a deep reliance on divine power rather than human might.
Context
Literary Context
Psalms 108 is a unique composite psalm, skillfully weaving together elements from two earlier Davidic psalms. Its opening verses (1-5) are directly drawn from Psalms 57:7-11, expressing a confident declaration of praise and trust in God's faithfulness. The latter section (verses 6-13), which includes our focal verse, is a direct quotation from Psalms 60:5-12. This strategic combination transitions the psalm from a morning prayer of unwavering confidence to a fervent plea for God's help and leadership in battle. Verse 10 serves as a pivotal moment within this transition, articulating the seemingly impossible human task before the psalmist shifts to a confident declaration of God's ultimate victory and the certainty of His promised aid, particularly in Psalms 108:13.
Historical & Cultural Context
The historical setting for Psalms 60, from which Psalms 108:10 is derived, points to a period of significant military distress for Israel, likely during King David's reign. The superscription of Psalms 60 specifically mentions a time when David fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned to strike down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt (compare 2 Samuel 8:3-14 and 1 Chronicles 18:3-13). Edom, located southeast of Judah, was a historically hostile nation, descended from Esau, known for its rugged, mountainous terrain and naturally fortified cities. The "strong city" (Hebrew: ʻîyr mibtsâr) most likely refers to a heavily fortified Edomite stronghold, perhaps Sela (modern Petra), renowned for its impregnability and strategic importance. The psalmist's rhetorical questions reflect the immense strategic and military challenge of conquering such a city and nation without direct divine intervention, highlighting the precarious position Israel found itself in.
Key Themes
The verse powerfully articulates the theme of Human Helplessness and Divine Necessity, underscoring that human strength, military strategy, and resources are utterly insufficient against formidable obstacles. It implicitly points to God as the sole source of victory and leadership through seemingly impenetrable challenges, setting up the confident declaration of Psalms 108:13. Furthermore, the Conquest of Edom as a Symbol represents any seemingly unconquerable foe or obstacle that stands in the way of God's people. This desire for dominion and security from a long-standing enemy echoes prophecies concerning Edom's eventual subjugation and Israel's ultimate triumph, as seen in Numbers 24:18. The psalmist's prayer also highlights the overarching theme of Dependence on God for Victory, expressing profound confidence that despite the daunting challenge, God will ultimately lead them to triumph, a sentiment foundational to the psalm's concluding affirmations of faith.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
Derived from the root bāṣar (to cut off, make inaccessible), this word (H4013) refers to a fortification, a castle, or a fortified city. It conveys the idea of something being "fenced," "fortress," or "stronghold." In this context, it emphasizes the impregnable nature of the target, highlighting its immense difficulty to conquer by conventional means. The term conveys a sense of overwhelming strategic defense, suggesting a place that human armies would find nearly impossible to breach without extraordinary aid.
This term (H5892) denotes a city in its broadest sense, often implying a place guarded by watchmen. When combined with mibtsâr ("strong"), it forms the compound ʻîyr mibtsâr, "fortified city." This specific designation underscores the formidable nature of the obstacle, indicating a settlement designed for defense, making it a nearly impenetrable target for human military might.
This proper noun (H123) refers to the nation descended from Esau, Jacob's elder twin brother, and the region (Idumaea) they occupied southeast of Judah. Historically, Edom was a persistent and often hostile enemy of Israel. Its mention here grounds the spiritual struggle in a concrete historical and geopolitical reality, representing a long-standing and seemingly insurmountable national challenge, often symbolizing any formidable, entrenched opposition to God's people.
Verse Breakdown
"Who will bring me into the strong city?"
This rhetorical question expresses the psalmist's deep sense of human inadequacy and futility in the face of an overwhelmingly fortified objective. It highlights the perceived impossibility of conquering such a stronghold through human effort alone, setting the stage for an implicit appeal to a higher, divine power. The question underscores the desperate need for supernatural intervention.
"who will lead me into Edom?"
This parallel question broadens the scope from a single fortified city to an entire hostile nation. It reiterates the psalmist's recognition that the entire campaign against Edom, a historically formidable adversary, is beyond Israel's self-sufficiency. This clause further emphasizes the desperate need for divine leadership and intervention for any hope of success against a deeply entrenched and powerful enemy.
Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs Rhetorical Questions, "Who will bring me...?" and "who will lead me...?" These questions are not posed to elicit information but to emphasize the psalmist's profound sense of human helplessness and the perceived impossibility of the task without divine intervention. This technique powerfully underscores the psalmist's utter dependence on God. Furthermore, Parallelism is evident in the two clauses, where "strong city" and "Edom" serve as synonymous or complementary representations of the formidable challenge. This poetic device reinforces the magnitude of the obstacle and the consistency of the psalmist's plea. The use of "Edom" also functions as Metonymy, where the name of the nation stands for the entire military campaign or the ultimate victory over a long-standing enemy, embodying the deep-seated opposition faced by God's people.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Psalms 108:10 serves as a profound theological statement on the necessity of divine intervention for human success, particularly in the face of insurmountable odds. It echoes a recurring biblical theme that true strength and victory come not from human might, strategic brilliance, or numerical superiority, but from God alone. This verse acts as a pivot, moving from a lament of perceived abandonment or overwhelming challenge to a renewed declaration of faith in God's power to overcome any adversary. It reminds believers that acknowledging one's limitations and the futility of self-reliance is the first step toward experiencing God's limitless power and achieving what is humanly impossible. It is a call to humility and a profound trust in God's sovereign ability to deliver.
Reflection and Application
Psalms 108:10 speaks powerfully to the human condition, where we frequently encounter "strong cities" and "Edoms" in our lives—challenges that appear insurmountable, whether they are personal struggles, professional obstacles, relational brokenness, chronic illnesses, or spiritual battles. This verse compels us to honestly assess our own limitations and the futility of relying solely on our own strength, wisdom, or resources. It is an invitation to humility, urging us to acknowledge that true breakthrough often requires a power far beyond our own. Just as the psalmist looked to God for leadership into Edom, we are called to adopt a posture of profound, prayerful dependence, trusting that God can achieve what seems utterly impossible to us. When we find ourselves asking, "Who will bring me through this?", this verse directs our gaze heavenward, reminding us that the answer, by faith, is always God. It fosters a confidence that even when the path ahead seems daunting, with God, victory is not just possible, but assured, transforming our anxieties into opportunities for divine intervention and witness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of "Edom" in this verse?
"Edom" represents a historically formidable and persistent enemy of Israel, descendants of Esau. In this context, it symbolizes any seemingly unconquerable foe or obstacle that stands in the way of God's people. Its mention underscores the magnitude of the challenge faced by the psalmist and highlights the desperate need for divine intervention against deeply entrenched opposition. The conquest of Edom was a significant military and prophetic theme for Israel, symbolizing God's ultimate triumph over His adversaries, as seen in prophecies like Numbers 24:18.
Why are these questions rhetorical?
The questions "Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?" are rhetorical because they are not seeking an answer from a human perspective. Instead, they are designed to emphasize the utter impossibility of the task by human strength alone, thereby implicitly pointing to God as the only one capable of accomplishing it. They highlight the psalmist's deep realization that divine intervention is absolutely necessary for victory, shifting the focus from human inadequacy to God's omnipotence, a theme further developed in Psalms 108:13, which declares that "Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies."
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Psalms 108:10, with its poignant cry of human helplessness before an insurmountable foe, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The "strong city" and "Edom" of our spiritual lives are not merely geopolitical enemies but the entrenched powers of sin, death, and the devil, which no human effort could ever conquer. Humanity, in its fallen state, was utterly incapable of entering the "strong city" of God's holy presence or overcoming the "Edom" of its own spiritual bondage. It was Jesus, the true Son of God, who alone could "bring us into" the kingdom of light and "lead us into" victory over spiritual darkness. His death on the cross conquered the ultimate enemy, death itself, and His glorious resurrection secured our entry into a new life of freedom and communion with God. Through Christ, we are empowered to overcome the "Edoms" of our daily struggles and spiritual adversaries, knowing that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. The rhetorical questions of the psalmist are answered definitively in the New Covenant: it is Christ who brings us into the strong city of salvation and leads us into triumph over every spiritual adversary, fulfilling the promise that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. He is our ultimate Leader and Victor, making the impossible possible.