If Psalm 108 is “a recipe for an hour of need,” what are its ingredients?
Although it is composed of parts of two other psalms (vv.1-5, Ps. 57: 7-11; vv. 6-13, Ps. 60:5-12), Psalm 108 is no mere anthology. Even if we knew nothing of Psalms 57 and 60, Psalm 108 would still stand by its own merits.
Motyer, New Bible Commentary, p. 558
Psalm 108 combines the second halves of Psalm 57 and 60, both of which were desperate laments. But when they are combined here, the effect is dramatically different… [a heart] of courage…an aggressive joy…This is not a naive optimism but a confidence in God, literally pieced together out of former experiences of great vulnerability and need.
Keller, The Songs of Jesus, p. 284, italics mine.
Psalm 57starts with a desperate cry for deliverance that is followed by a song of triumph for God’s love and faithfulness, in expectation of a victory come.
Psalm 108:1-5 begins with that identical victory song, a song of confidence in anticipated victory.
1. What do you learn about the psalmist’s faith in 108:1-5? What benefits of his faith does he seem to be experiencing? What reasons does he give for the confidence and trust he experiences in God? How do these words impact your own confidence in the promises of God?
How has God “pieced together” your trust/confidence in Him out of “former experiences of vulnerability and need”? (Read Psalm 112:7-8.)
2. Notice how the psalmist shifts in verse 5 from talking with God about himself and God to a more specific focus. What is his first focus in prayer? (108:5)
How does the psalmist begin to hint at the “dangerous situation” he is confronting? What is his second focus in prayer? (108:6)
3. The psalmist starts quoting God’s words back to him in verses 7-9, words from a prophetic oracle delivered by a priest or prophet during worship in the sanctuary. God had responded to his people with an oracle of hope, words of promise that the psalmist is now repeating. Verse 7 begins with “God has promised in his holiness ( or sanctuary),” a standard introduction to words of prophecy from God. (See Psalm 89:35 and Amos 4:2.)
Notice where the quotation of the oracle begins and ends.
What information does it give about God’s plan for Israel’s place in the world (108:7-8) and for the neighboring lands (108:9)?
(Shechem and Succoth are in central Palestine; Gilead and Manasseh in the northern area; Ephraim and Judah are the 2 main tribes representing all of the tribes of the covenant people. Judah as God’s “scepter” represents the messianic rule of the Davidic dynasty. Moab, Edom, and Philistia are neighboring lands that also exist under God’s sovereignty. See Map 4 in the back of your ESV Study Bible.)
4. What are the psalmist’s questions to God as he laments in 108:10-11? How would you describe the psalmist’s tone?
What do you know about Edom from the Bible or other history? (Edom=Red=Esau)
How would you paraphrase, “Who would lead me to Edom?” for yourself? (HInt: Who would lead you to victory over your worst enemy, your deepest hurt?)
What is your experience with questioning God and pointing out his inactivity? (108:11)
5. So far the psalmist has asked for God to be glorified in this situation and for God’s “beloved ones,” the people of God to be delivered. What is the basis for those requests?
What is the psalmist’s final petition to God for his people? (108:12)
What is his final assertion about God’s activity in their lives? (108:13)
6. What stands out to you about prayer from Psalm 108?
(Ideas might include things like: the basis of prayer, the order of requests, honesty in prayer, praying for the church and the world, prayer as transformation, courage to pray, confronting dangerous situations with prayer, et al…)