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Commentary on Psalms 108 verses 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 108:7 presents a profound declaration from God, rooted in the very essence of His holy character, which elicits a joyful and confident response from the psalmist. This divine oracle asserts God's unwavering intent to reclaim and apportion the strategically significant territories of Shechem and the valley of Succoth. The verse powerfully affirms God's absolute sovereignty over the promised inheritance and His steadfast faithfulness to His covenant people, assuring them of future restoration and victory even amidst present challenges.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 108 is a unique composite psalm, meticulously assembled from two earlier Davidic psalms. The first five verses are drawn directly from the confident praise and prayer for deliverance found in Psalm 57:7-11, while verses 6-13 (which include our focus, verse 7) are taken from the fervent plea for divine assistance in battle found in Psalm 60:5-12. This strategic compilation creates a unified prayer for national deliverance and divine intervention. The psalm begins with a confident declaration of God's praise, transitions into a fervent appeal for help, and culminates in a renewed expression of faith in God's promises of victory and territorial restoration. Verse 7, therefore, serves as the pivotal divine oracle within this prayer, providing the unshakeable foundation for the psalmist's hope and the nation's expectation of triumph. It is God's direct voice, responding to the plea for help, reassuring His people of His sovereign plan for their land.
Historical & Cultural Context: Both Psalm 57 and Psalm 60 are attributed to David, suggesting a period of significant national upheaval and military engagement. The superscription of Psalm 60 specifically references a time of conflict with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and a subsequent victory by Joab over Edom in the Valley of Salt. This indicates a period when Israel's borders were threatened, and the nation experienced military setbacks before God granted victory. In this context of national distress and territorial vulnerability, God's declaration in verse 7 regarding Shechem and Succoth carries immense weight. Shechem, located in the central hill country of Ephraim, was a historically significant city, a place of covenant renewal and tribal assembly, as recorded in Joshua 24:1. Succoth, situated east of the Jordan River in the Transjordan region of Gilead, represented the eastern frontier of the promised land, a place where Jacob built booths, as seen in Genesis 33:17. By naming these two geographically distinct but strategically important locations, God asserts His claim over the entirety of the promised land, from west to east, reinforcing His covenant commitment to Israel's inheritance despite current military challenges.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully underscores several core themes. Firstly, it highlights Divine Authority and Holiness, emphasizing that God's pronouncements are not mere words but are rooted in His perfect, set-apart, and unchanging nature. His word is therefore immutable and utterly trustworthy, serving as the ultimate guarantee for His covenant promises, a truth echoed in Numbers 23:19. Secondly, the psalmist's response, "I will rejoice," illustrates Confident Faith and Joy in God's Promises. This joy is not contingent on present circumstances but stems from an unwavering trust in the certainty of God's declared will and His divine plan for His people, even when facing dire situations. Lastly, the mention of Shechem and Succoth underscores God's Sovereignty Over Territory and Inheritance. This imagery signifies God's absolute control over the land He promised to Abraham and his descendants in passages like Genesis 15:18, and His commitment to restoring and securing that inheritance for His people, echoing the original division of the land among the tribes.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is Anthropomorphism, where God is described as "speaking," attributing a human action to the divine to convey the reality and directness of His communication with His people. The mention of "Shechem" and "the valley of Succoth" functions as a Merism, a rhetorical device where two contrasting or complementary parts represent a whole (west and east representing the entire promised land). This also serves as a form of Synecdoche, where specific parts (these two historically and geographically significant locations) stand for the larger whole (Israel's full, divinely promised inheritance). Furthermore, there is an implicit Parallelism between the verbs "divide" and "mete out," as both convey the act of sovereign apportionment and control over the land, reinforcing the certainty and precision of God's action through repetition of meaning.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 108:7 powerfully articulates the theological truth that God's promises are not contingent on human circumstances or strength but are eternally grounded in His holy, unchanging character. His word, spoken "in his holiness," is an unbreakable covenant, providing an unshakeable foundation for faith and joy, even amidst national distress or personal trials. This verse assures believers that God remains sovereign over all creation, including the territories and destinies of nations, and that His purposes for His people will ultimately prevail. The specific mention of Shechem and Succoth highlights God's faithfulness to His covenant concerning the land, a promise that undergirds Israel's identity and future hope, demonstrating that what God declares, He will certainly bring to pass.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 108:7 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating the complexities of life in a fallen world. When faced with personal struggles, societal turmoil, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, this verse calls us to anchor our hope in the immutable character of God. His promises are not fleeting suggestions but declarations from His very holiness, making them absolutely trustworthy. Our appropriate response, like the psalmist's, should be one of profound joy and confident expectation, not despair or anxiety. Just as God pledged to restore Israel's physical inheritance, He promises to fulfill His redemptive purposes in our individual lives and in the broader sweep of history. We are invited to rest in His absolute sovereignty, knowing that His plans for us are for good, even when circumstances appear bleak, and to find strength in the certainty of His unchanging word and His ultimate victory over all that opposes His will. This verse reminds us that our faith is not in our ability to overcome, but in God's unfailing commitment to His word.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is Psalm 108:7 identical to Psalm 60:6?
Answer: Psalm 108:7 is indeed nearly identical to Psalm 60:6. Psalm 108 is a composite psalm, with its latter half (verses 6-13) being directly drawn from Psalm 60:5-12. The slight variations between the two passages are minor textual differences that do not alter the core message. Both verses convey God's solemn declaration, rooted in His holiness, and His intention to sovereignly reclaim and distribute the promised land to His people. Crucially, the "I" who speaks the promise "I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth" is God Himself, not the psalmist, even though the psalmist expresses his own joy beforehand, indicating a prophetic oracle.
Why are Shechem and Succoth specifically mentioned, rather than other cities?
Answer: Shechem and Succoth are mentioned because they represent key geographical and historical points within the promised land, symbolizing its full breadth and God's comprehensive claim over it. Shechem was a significant city in the central hill country, west of the Jordan River, associated with Abraham's initial arrival in Canaan (Genesis 12:6) and later with covenant renewal for Israel (Joshua 24:1). Succoth, on the other hand, was located east of the Jordan River in the Transjordan region, a place where Jacob settled after meeting Esau, as recorded in Genesis 33:17. By naming these two distinct locations – one in the west and one in the east – the verse employs a literary device called merism, signifying God's intention to reclaim and secure the entire promised territory, from its western heartland to its eastern frontier, affirming His complete sovereignty over Israel's inheritance and His faithfulness to His covenant.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 108:7 speaks of God's promise to restore a physical land to Israel, its ultimate fulfillment and deeper spiritual significance are found in Jesus Christ. The "holiness" in which God speaks finds its perfect embodiment in Christ, who is the Holy One of God and through whom all of God's promises are affirmed as "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20). The psalmist's "rejoice" becomes the believer's joy in Christ, who has secured a far greater and eternal inheritance for us, not merely a parcel of land, but every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. The "dividing" and "meting out" of Shechem and Succoth foreshadow God's sovereign work in Christ to establish His spiritual kingdom, gathering His people from every tribe and nation, and granting them an eternal inheritance that transcends earthly boundaries (Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 1:12). Through Christ's atoning work and resurrection, believers are given a secure dwelling place in God's presence, anticipating the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells, a spiritual reality far surpassing any earthly territory (Revelation 21:1-4). Thus, the confidence and joy expressed in Psalms 108:7 find their ultimate and eternal ground in the finished work and ongoing reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the true and everlasting inheritor of all things, and in whom we inherit all things.