Psalm 108 Study Notes

108:1-13 This psalm is a combination of 57:7-11 (here, vv. 1-5) and 60:5-12 (here, vv. 6-13).

108:1 The whole of my being is literally “my glory.”

108:2 The Hebrew word shachar (dawn) refers to the first light of morning. The psalmist began the day with praise (Jb 38:12).

108:7 God’s promises are certain, sworn on his immutable character. In his sovereignty he allotted the tribes of Jacob portions of land.

108:8 Judah was the location of the king, symbolized by the scepter.

108:9 Moab . . . Edom, and Philistia were three long-standing enemies of Israel. They are symbolically assigned denigrating roles.

108:11-13 The psalmist sought reassurance of the Lord’s presence (see 44:9; 60:10). The community needed divine help; it could not attain victory without God’s intervention (44:6; Is 41:25; 63:6; Zch 10:5).