Psalm 108 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
2 Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
3 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
4 For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;
6 That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.
More Psalms Chapter 108
7 God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
9 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.
10 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
11 Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
13 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 108:1
Verse: אֱלֹהִים, נְדִיבוֹת לִבִּי אֲשִׁירָה
Transliteration: Elohim, nedivot libi ashirah
English: “My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being.”
Focus Word: נָדִיב (Nadiv)
- Root: נ-ד-ב (Nun-Dalet-Bet)
- Meaning: “Generous,” “willing,” “voluntary.”
- Deeper Insight: Nadiv conveys joyful, voluntary devotion, emphasizing wholehearted praise offered freely to God.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning / Morphology | Scholarly Notes (3 Sentences + Full Source) |
|---|---|---|---|
| נָכוֹן — nachon | Verse 1 — “My heart is steadfast…” | “Steadfast,” firm, established. | Nachon (“steadfast”) conveys inward firmness rooted in moral and spiritual resolve. It emphasizes a state of settled loyalty toward God. The term sets the tone for confident praise despite adversity. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon of the Old Testament |
| עֱרָה — ‘erah | Verse 2 — “Awake, harp and lyre…” | “To awaken,” stir up. | ‘Erah (“to awaken”) expresses intentional stirring for worship. It signifies rising from inaction to joyful praise. The verb shows praise as deliberate, not passive. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Psalms |
| אוֹדֶךָ — ’odekha | Verse 3 — “I will praise You, O LORD…” | “To praise,” give thanks. | ’Odekha (“to praise”) denotes public thanksgiving directed to God. It underscores vocal acknowledgment of His deeds. The verb reflects personal devotion manifested outwardly. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament |
| רָמָה — ramah | Verse 5 — “Be exalted, O God…” | “To be high,” exalted. | Ramah (“to be exalted”) presents God as transcendent above creation. It emphasizes His supremacy over human affairs. The term supports the Psalm’s theme of divine kingship. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
| יָרֵא — yare | Verse 6 — “…that Your beloved may be delivered.” | “To fear,” reverence. | Yare (“to fear/revere”) signifies covenantal reverence grounded in relationship, not terror. It marks God’s people as those who honor His authority. The term reinforces the bond between divine protection and faithful devotion. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Psalms |
| הוֹשִׁיעָה — hoshi‘ah | Verse 6 — “Save with Your right hand…” | “To save,” deliver. | Hoshi‘ah (“to save”) stresses urgent petition for divine intervention. It expresses trust in God’s power to act decisively. The verb anchors the Psalm’s cries for rescue. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament |
| חָלַק — chalak | Verse 7 — “…I will divide Shechem…” | “To divide,” portion out. | Chalak (“to divide”) refers to assigning territory or allotments. It recalls God’s sovereign distribution of land. The term reinforces divine ownership and authority over Israel’s inheritance. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
| אֶמְדּוֹד — emdod | Verse 7 — “…and measure out the Valley of Succoth.” | “To measure,” assess. | Emdod (“to measure”) expresses orderly, deliberate apportioning by the divine ruler. It indicates precision and intentional governance. The verb highlights God’s structured rule over Israel. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Psalms |
| מָחוֹז — machoz | Verse 10 — “Who will bring me into the fortified city?” | “Fortified place,” stronghold. | Machoz (“fortified place”) signifies a defensible, walled city. It points to obstacles too strong for human ability alone. The word underscores reliance on God for victory where human strength fails. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament |
| תִּתֵּן — titten | Verse 12 — “…for the help of man is useless.” | “To give,” grant. | Titten (“to give”) contrasts God’s effectual help with human inadequacy. It emphasizes that only divine action brings true success. The verb frames dependence on God as essential to salvation. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 108 |
|---|---|---|
| Hugh Binning (University of Glasgow, 1627–1653) | Sermons on the Psalms | Binning presents the Psalm as an appeal for divine assistance and triumph over enemies. |
| William Lowth (University of Oxford, 1660–1732) | Commentary on the Psalms | The Psalm emphasizes steadfast trust in God’s guidance in times of conflict. |
| Johann Albrecht Bengel (University of Tübingen, 1687–1752) | Gnomon Novi Testamenti | Bengel interprets the Psalm as a fusion of praise and petition, illustrating faith in action. |
| Philip Doddridge (Northampton Academy, 1702–1751) | Family Expositor | Doddridge highlights the Psalmist’s resolve to rely fully on God’s power for victory. |
| James Durham (St Andrews / Edinburgh, 1622–1658) | Commentary on the Psalms | Durham sees the Psalm as teaching perseverance in prayer and confidence in divine help. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees the psalm as combining past gratitude with present petition. The psalmist’s heart is firmly fixed on God. Victory comes from divine help. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as blending praise with trust for future triumph. God’s mercy inspires confidence. Human strength is nothing without Him. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes views the psalm as calling for renewed praise despite challenges. God’s greatness is exalted above the heavens. Deliverance is expected from His power. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison sees the psalm as expressing steadfast faith. God’s covenant love is the ground of hope. Victory is certain through Him. |
| William Walford – Commentary on the Psalms | Walford interprets the psalm as praising God for His unfailing mercy. The psalmist seeks divine help against foes. God alone grants triumph. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar views the psalm as Christ leading His people in praise and trust. Human strength fails, but God prevails. His steadfast love endures. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker sees the psalm as confident appeal for divine intervention. Praise strengthens faith. God alone brings victory. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale interprets the psalm as merging thanksgiving with reliance on God. Divine help is essential. The psalmist commits his cause to Him. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Meditations | Bonar sees the psalm as unwavering trust in God’s mercy. The psalmist rises early to praise. Victory is God’s gift. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as the Church affirming her confidence in God. His mercy and truth reign supreme. Triumph is assured through Him. |
Psalms Chapter 108 Devotional: VAIN IS THE HELP OF MAN
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Thought for the day: Never put your trust in any man but God
Message:
God has been the help of man since time immemorial. We could see right from Eden that whatever is not from above is from below and whatever is from below is not of God.
The bible confirmed that: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
To do valiantly for the Lord, God must be your help. Reading through the psalm the second time spoke to me that nothing can be achieved without the help of God. Many years ago the Lord taught me a lesson from Psalm 118:8-10 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.
10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the Lord will I destroy them.
No man can help if God did not help. You can’t trust any man if God is not there for you, maybe you have trusted in a man before and he disappointed you. I am here to tell you that God will not disappoint you. Trust in Him and He will help you through.
My Counsel
Ø To do valiantly, you need the help of God.
Ø Do not be offended if you have been disappointed. Turn back to God and trust God.
Declaration
Father, I refuse to put my trust in man and forget you. Help me Lord to always see you at the centre of it all and help me to hope on you always in Jesus' name.
