Dear Psalms friends,
We have skipped right past Psalm 108 each time we have read and prayed our way through Book 5, the concluding book of Psalms. Its superscription states that it is “of David,” and it appears that David composed this community lament using material from two previous psalms: Psalm 57:7-11 (an individual lament) and Psalm 60:5-12 (a community lament).
So what is the flow of thought in this new arrangement? What seems to be going on? What groups of people are involved? What is God’s place in this psalm?
Read, reflect on, and pray this psalm for yourself and others who find themselves once again in situations of danger. Think of past and present “dangerous situations” in your personal and professional life, as well as the life of groups you are a part of, especially the Body of Christ.
Perhaps this time through Book 5 of Psalms will seem like “catching up” with a good friend after not talking for a while. You’ll notice that there are many Psalms that would encourage people of faith “in exile.” Notice how Psalm 106:47 links to Psalm 107 with its 4 pictures of people at the end of themselves, crying out to God, who rescues them (Psalm 107: 6, 13, 19, 28). Psalm 107 commends praise and giving thanks for who God is (steadfast love/hesed) and what he does. (Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31)
Psalms 108, 109, and 110 are psalms “of David” and contain reminders of the introduction to the whole Psalter in Psalm 2. Notice the emphasis on wise living in Psalm 107:43 and then in Psalms 108-110: Wise up and take in the lessons of God’s acts in history and live in their light…especially as you deal with enemies. (Psalm 109) Psalm 111-112 focus on who God is and who we can be if we learn “the fear of the LORD.” Then we come to the Egyptian Hallel (Psalm 113-118), one of two great sequences of psalms in Book 5 used in connection with the Jewish feasts of the LORD. (The other sequence is the Psalms of Ascent, 120-34.)
Reviewing Israel’s history at Passover—the LORD’s gift of rescue from slavery and then the gift of torah to guide and empower the LORD’s way of living—prepares us to savor Psalm 119 with gratitude.
That’s the feast in front of us!
Your Psalm 108 lesson will arrive tomorrow. See you Sunday.
Grace and peace in Christ,
Toni