Psalms 108:11

KJV

[Wilt] not [thou], O God, [who] hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?

KJV (with Strong's)

Wilt not thou, O God {H430}, who hast cast us off {H2186}? and wilt not thou, O God {H430}, go forth {H3318} with our hosts {H6635}?

Complete Jewish Bible

God, have you rejected us? You don't go out with our armies, God.

Berean Standard Bible

Have You not rejected us, O God? Will You no longer march out, O God, with our armies?

American Standard Version

Hast not thou cast us off, O God? And thou goest not forth, O God, with our hosts.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 108:11 is a fervent and poignant plea from a nation in distress, beseeching God to intervene and lead their armies to victory, even amidst a profound sense of divine abandonment. This verse encapsulates the tension between human experience of suffering and God's enduring faithfulness, expressing a deep conviction that ultimate triumph in battle, or any struggle, is solely dependent on God's active presence and leadership. It transitions from a lament over perceived rejection to a bold declaration of trust in God's power to deliver.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 108 is unique in that it is a composite psalm, meticulously assembled from two earlier psalms attributed to David: [Psalm 57:7-11](/psalms/57 "Psalm 57:7-11 - A Song of Praise and Trust") and [Psalm 60:5-12](/psalms/60 "Psalm 60:5-12 - A Lament and Prayer for Victory"). The first part of Psalm 108 (verses 1-5) echoes the praise and confident trust found in Psalm 57, while the latter part (verses 6-13, which includes our verse) draws heavily from the lament and petition for victory in Psalm 60. This skillful compilation creates a powerful narrative arc: moving from a firm resolve to praise God despite circumstances, through a desperate cry for help in the face of defeat, to a renewed declaration of faith in God's ultimate triumph. The psalmist strategically combines these texts to express both unwavering commitment to God and an urgent plea for His intervention in a dire national crisis.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for the source material, particularly Psalm 60, points to a period of significant military setback for Israel, possibly against Edom, as referenced in [Psalm 60:Title](/psalms/60 "Psalm 60 - Historical Context of Defeat"). In the ancient Near East, military success was universally understood as a direct reflection of a nation's deity's favor and active presence. Therefore, a defeat was often interpreted as the deity having "cast off" or abandoned their people, leading to profound national shame, despair, and vulnerability. The phrase "cast us off" (KJV) or "rejected us" (NIV) in Psalms 108:11 vividly captures this deep sense of divine displeasure and withdrawal. The psalmist's plea for God to "go forth with our hosts" is not merely a request for military aid, but a desperate appeal for the restoration of divine favor and the active manifestation of God as the divine warrior, leading His people into battle.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 108:11 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Psalter and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **tension between human experience and divine faithfulness**. Despite feeling "cast off" and abandoned, the psalmist's very act of prayer demonstrates an enduring faith that God is still sovereign, capable, and willing to intervene. This tension is a recurring motif in the Psalms, where lament often coexists with unwavering trust. Secondly, the verse underscores **God as the ultimate source of victory and strength**. The rhetorical question "Wilt not thou... go forth with our hosts?" is not an expression of doubt, but a fervent affirmation that human might is insufficient; true triumph comes only through God's active presence and leadership. This resonates with the prophetic word that it is "not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit," says the [Lord of hosts](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might, Nor by Power"). Finally, it exemplifies the **courageous persistence in prayer** even when circumstances seem bleak. The psalmist models a tenacious faith that continues to appeal to God's character and power, even when the immediate reality suggests divine absence.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cast off (Hebrew, _zanach'_):** This verb (זָנַח) carries a strong connotation of rejection, disdain, or abandonment. It implies a deliberate act of pushing away or treating with contempt. In the context of divine action, it suggests that God has withdrawn His favor, protection, or presence from His people, leading to their vulnerability and despair. The psalmist uses it to articulate the depth of their perceived plight, as if God has turned His back on them.
* **Hosts (Hebrew, _tseva'ot'_):** The word (צְבָאוֹת) literally means "armies," "forces," or "multitudes." It refers specifically to military forces in this context. This term is famously used in the divine title "YHWH Sabaoth" or "Lord of Hosts," emphasizing God's supreme command over all heavenly and earthly armies. Therefore, the plea for God to "go forth with our hosts" is a request for the ultimate, invincible Commander to lead their earthly forces, ensuring victory through His unparalleled power and authority.
* **Go forth (Hebrew, _yatsa'_):** The verb (יָצָא) means "to go out," "to proceed," or "to advance." In a military context, it signifies leading troops into battle. When applied to God, it evokes the imagery of the divine warrior who personally leads His people in warfare, as seen throughout Israel's history (e.g., [Exodus 14:14](/exodus/14-14 "Exodus 14:14 - The Lord Will Fight for You")). The psalmist's plea is for God to resume this role, to actively participate and lead from the front, guaranteeing success.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off?"**: This opening clause is a rhetorical question, expressing a deep lament and a poignant challenge to God. The psalmist acknowledges the painful reality of feeling abandoned or rejected by God, which is perceived as the reason for their current distress and defeat. Yet, embedded within this question is a desperate plea and an underlying hope that God's perceived withdrawal is not final, and that He will indeed reconsider and restore His favor. It highlights the tension between the people's present suffering and their past experience of God's faithfulness.
* **"and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?"**: This second clause builds upon the first, transforming the lament into a direct and urgent petition. Despite the feeling of being "cast off," the psalmist boldly appeals to God's character as the divine warrior. The repetition of "O God" underscores the intensity and focus of the prayer. The request for God to "go forth with our hosts" is a cry for divine leadership, presence, and active intervention in their military endeavors, recognizing that only with God's direct involvement can victory be secured. It is a powerful expression of dependence and trust.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 108:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Question**. The double negative "Wilt not thou...?" functions not as an expression of doubt, but as an emphatic appeal and a desperate plea. It challenges God to act, implying that it is unthinkable for Him *not* to intervene, given His character and past acts of deliverance. This technique heightens the emotional intensity and underscores the psalmist's deep conviction that God is the only hope. The verse also exemplifies **Lament**, as the psalmist articulates the pain of perceived divine abandonment ("who hast cast us off"). However, this lament is immediately coupled with **Petition**, transforming the cry of distress into a fervent request for God's active presence. This blend of lament and petition is characteristic of many Psalms, demonstrating a faith that brings honest suffering before God while simultaneously appealing to His power and faithfulness. Finally, there is a subtle use of **Anthropomorphism** in the phrase "go forth with our hosts," which attributes human-like action (leading an army) to God, making His divine presence and leadership more tangible and relatable to the human experience of warfare.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 108:11 powerfully articulates a core biblical truth: despite human feelings of abandonment or rejection, God remains the ultimate source of strength and victory, particularly in times of profound crisis. The psalmist's unwavering appeal, even from a position of perceived divine disfavor, underscores the enduring nature of faith that clings to God's character rather than fleeting circumstances. This verse teaches that our hope for triumph, whether in physical battles, spiritual warfare, or personal struggles, lies not in our own might or strategy, but in God's active presence and leadership. It reminds us that God's perceived absence is not His actual abandonment, and that persistent, trust-filled prayer is the pathway to experiencing His renewed intervention and power.

* [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "Deuteronomy 20:4 - The Lord Your God Goes with You") - For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.
* [Joshua 1:9](/joshua/1-9 "Joshua 1:9 - Be Strong and Courageous") - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
* [Hebrews 13:5](/hebrews/13-5 "Hebrews 13:5 - God Will Never Leave You") - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 108:11 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating the complexities and challenges of contemporary life. It speaks directly to those moments when we feel overwhelmed, defeated, or even as if God has "cast us off" and withdrawn His favor. In such times, this verse calls us not to despair, but to emulate the psalmist's tenacious faith. It reminds us that our feelings do not always reflect God's unchanging character or His unwavering commitment to His people. Instead of retreating in doubt, we are invited to press into prayer, boldly appealing to God's power and His promise to be with us. Whether facing personal struggles, spiritual battles against unseen forces, or the daunting difficulties of life, our ultimate hope for victory resides in God's active presence and His willingness to "go forth with our hosts." This means trusting Him to lead, to fight on our behalf, and to empower us to overcome, even when all human resources seem to fail. It is a call to surrender our perceived abandonment and embrace the truth that our God is always present and always capable of delivering triumph.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you currently feel "cast off" or abandoned by God, and how does this verse challenge that perception?**
* **How does the psalmist's bold appeal for God to "go forth with our hosts" inspire your own prayers for divine intervention in your struggles?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a faith that persists in prayer and trust, even when circumstances suggest God's absence?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean for God to "cast us off" if He is faithful?**

Answer: The phrase "cast us off" (Hebrew: _zanach_) reflects the deep human perception of God's withdrawal or displeasure, often arising from experiences of suffering, defeat, or national crisis. It's an expression of the *feeling* of abandonment, rather than a theological statement about God's actual, permanent rejection of His covenant people. Throughout the Bible, God's faithfulness is unwavering, as seen in passages like [2 Timothy 2:13](/2_timothy/2-13 "2 Timothy 2:13 - God Remains Faithful"). However, God may allow His people to experience the consequences of their actions or to undergo periods of discipline, which can *feel* like abandonment. The psalmist, in expressing this feeling, is being honest about his distress while simultaneously appealing to God's character, demonstrating that even in perceived rejection, faith still turns to God for deliverance. It highlights the tension between human experience and divine reality.

**How does the idea of God "going forth with our hosts" apply to believers today, given that we are not typically involved in physical warfare?**

Answer: While the immediate context of Psalms 108:11 is physical warfare, the principle of God "going forth with our hosts" extends powerfully to the spiritual battles and life challenges believers face today. In the New Testament, believers are called to engage in "spiritual warfare" against unseen forces of evil, not against "flesh and blood" ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle is Not Against Flesh and Blood")). Therefore, God "going forth with our hosts" means His active presence, leadership, and empowerment in our daily struggles against sin, temptation, spiritual oppression, and the difficulties of life. It signifies that God is our ultimate Commander, fighting on our behalf and equipping us with His strength, wisdom, and authority to overcome. This divine assistance ensures that victory is ultimately His, and through Him, ours.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 108:11, with its desperate plea for God to "go forth with our hosts" and deliver from perceived abandonment, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the psalmist longed for God to lead Israel's armies to earthly victory, Christ embodies the divine warrior who achieves the decisive spiritual triumph over sin, death, and all the powers of darkness. He is the true [Lord of Hosts](/isaiah/6-3 "Isaiah 6:3 - Lord of Hosts"), who did not merely go forth *with* our hosts, but *became* our host, leading the charge against our ultimate enemies. His death on the cross was the ultimate battle, where He "disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Powers")). For believers, the feeling of being "cast off" is definitively overcome by Christ's promise, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - The Great Commission")). Through His resurrection, He secured eternal victory, and now He leads His church in spiritual warfare, equipping us with the "full armor of God" ([Ephesians 6:10-18](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God")). Thus, the psalmist's cry for God's presence in battle is answered perfectly in Christ, who not only goes before us but lives within us, guaranteeing our ultimate triumph in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 44:9

¶ But thou hast cast off, and put us to shame; and goest not forth with our armies.

2 Chronicles 13:12

And, behold, God himself [is] with us for [our] captain, and his priests with sounding trumpets to cry alarm against you. O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper.

1 Samuel 17:36

Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

2 Chronicles 20:15

And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle [is] not yours, but God's.

1 Samuel 29:1

¶ Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which [is] in Jezreel.

1 Samuel 29:11

So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel.

Deuteronomy 20:3

And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;