Psalm 108
This is a song of victory – in a battle that hadn't even been fought yet! There are six words at the very center of the psalm that are key to that victory. They are, "God has spoken in His holiness." It's because of that sure foundation that victory will come! The people shout, "I will divide Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth, Gilead is Mine; Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet for My head; Judah is My lawgiver, Moab is My washpot; over Edom I will cast My shoe; Over Philistia I will triumph!" These are the victory shouts of a general, and, summed up, they say that since Israel belongs to God in a very special way, therefore Moab, Edom, and Philistia shall also belong to them - Israel is going to have victory over them all.
Apparently things hadn't always been so hopeful. David had say, "Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom? Is it not You, O God - Who cast us off? And You, O God - Who did not go out with our armies?" Apparently, God had allowed His people to stumble before their enemies. But now the psalmist can finish the story. Now he can say, "Through God we will do valliantly, for it is He Who shall tread down our enemies." He could finish the story that way because God had spoken!
In fact, that's why David could begin the song on a note of praise and thanksgiving. He said, "O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory. Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn! I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to You among the nations, for Your mercy is great above the heavens, and your truth reaches to the clouds." He was confident that even in the midst of Edom or Philistia he would soon be singing God's praises! He knew, too, that after the battle, he would sing again with all his might, joined by all the army, and their celebration would be so great that it would go on all night ("I will awaken the dawn!").
The extremely important point is that what God has spoken, God will do. If He makes promises to us of victory, then victory will be ours. David's greater Son has, in fact, already won all our victories for us, and because of Him we are no longer in bondage to sin (Edom and Philistia) - we CAN break its chains!
Pastor.Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!
"My heart is fixed"................
I must praise Him today. I know that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the Living.
I do wake early in fact I am like Pat, more often than not sleep eludes me.
This Psalm is a great reminder to me to keep on praising.
"Oh God my heart is fixed".
Jenny X
Typo? "David had say, "Who will bring me into the strong city?"
Thanks once again Pat. Fixed.