Psalms 108:7

God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

God {H430} hath spoken {H1696} in his holiness {H6944}; I will rejoice {H5937}, I will divide {H2505} Shechem {H7927}, and mete out {H4058} the valley {H6010} of Succoth {H5523}.

God in his holiness spoke, and I took joy [in his promise]: "I will divide Sh'khem and determine the shares in the Sukkot Valley.

God has spoken from His sanctuary: “I will triumph! I will parcel out Shechem and apportion the Valley of Succoth.

God hath spoken in his holiness: I will exult; I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

Psalms 108:7 proclaims God's unwavering promises and the psalmist's confident response, rooted in divine authority. This verse, nearly identical to Psalm 60:6, highlights God's sovereign control over the land of Israel and His faithfulness to His covenant people.

Context

Psalm 108 is a composite psalm, drawing its first five verses from Psalm 57:7-11 and the remainder (including verse 7) from Psalm 60:5-12. Both original psalms are attributed to David, likely reflecting a period of national distress and military conflict. The setting of Psalm 60 specifically mentions a time of military defeat against Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab's return, hinting at a period when Israel's borders were threatened or diminished. Thus, God's declaration here is a powerful assurance of future victory and reclaimed inheritance for the people of Israel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority and Holiness: The phrase "God hath spoken in his holiness" underscores that God's declarations are not merely human pronouncements but are backed by His perfect, righteous, and unchanging nature. His word is absolute truth and carries immutable power, emphasizing God's unwavering reliability.
  • Joy in God's Promises: The psalmist's immediate response, "I will rejoice," reflects a deep trust and celebration of God's certain word. This joy is not based on current circumstances but on the unshakeable foundation of God's covenant promises, demonstrating a confident faith in His divine plan.
  • Sovereignty Over Territory: "I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth" refers to God's reassertion of control and distribution of specific Israelite territories. Shechem, a significant city in central Canaan (Ephraim), and Succoth, located east of the Jordan in Gilead, represent the breadth of the promised land. This imagery signifies God's commitment to restoring and securing the inheritance of His people, despite present challenges, echoing the original division of the land.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase "בְּקָדְשׁוֹ" (beqodsho), translated as "in his holiness," emphasizes the divine nature of God's oath. It's not just that God spoke, but that He spoke from the very essence of His sacred being, making His word inviolable and utterly trustworthy. The verbs "divide" (חָלַק, ḥalaq) and "mete out" (מָדַד, madad) are terms directly associated with the surveying, measuring, and apportionment of land, reinforcing the concept of God's absolute control over the promised territory and its distribution to His people.

Practical Application

Psalms 108:7 offers profound encouragement for believers today. When facing personal or national challenges, this verse reminds us that God's promises are grounded in His holy character and are therefore absolutely trustworthy. Our response should be one of joy and confidence, not despair. Just as God promised to restore Israel's land, He promises to fulfill His purposes in our lives and in the world. We can find strength in His unchanging word, knowing that His plans for us are for good, even when circumstances seem bleak. It calls us to rest in His sovereignty and rejoice in His certain victory over all obstacles.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.
  • 2 Peter 1:3

    According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
  • 2 Peter 1:4

    Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
  • 1 Peter 1:8

    Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
  • 2 Samuel 7:20

    And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant.
  • 2 Samuel 7:29

    Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken [it]: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
  • Judges 8:5

    And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they [be] faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
  • Judges 8:6

    And the princes of Succoth said, [Are] the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thine army?

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