Psalm 108:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go out, O God, with our armies.

NIV: Is it not you, God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?

NASB: God, have You Yourself not rejected us? And will You not go forth with our armies, God?

CSB: God, haven’t you rejected us? God, you do not march out with our armies.

NLT: Have you rejected us, O God? Will you no longer march with our armies?

KJV: Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?

NKJV: Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies?

At the time David first wrote these words (Psalm 60:10), Israel was caught between two enemy nations. To the north was an ongoing war; from the south came a sudden invasion by Edom (Psalm 60:1–5). The main army was in the north fighting a separate war. David's initial reaction to the attack was dismay (Psalm 60:1–5), to which God responded with a declaration of His authority (Psalm 60:6–8). David's reply is to wonder how—not if—God will accomplish this rescue (Psalm 60:10). In his immediate situation, David saw nothing suggesting the Lord was aiding the forces of Israel.

David will continue to humble himself before God. He admits that he has no ultimate power, and that all such victories are credited to the Lord (Psalm 108:12). Willingness to submit to God, even if the outcome is bad, can make us more reliant on Him. That, in turn, is more likely to lead us to victory (2 Corinthians 13:9; James 4:7–10; 1 Peter 5:6–11).

Psalm 108:6–13 is identical to Psalm 60:6–12. In these closing verses, David expresses confidence that God will triumph over Israel's foes. The people of Israel will be given the lands which God claimed to control. The psalm closes with David's prayer for God's help and assurance of His power.

The psalmist—repeating words of David's prior psalms—first declares loyalty to the Lord. He declares that God should be worshipped by His people. Next, God's sovereign rule is celebrated. Even so, the song speaks of fears and doubts, calling on the Lord to provide aid in a dire battle. The overall sense is one of confidence and assurance in God.

This psalm combines portions of two other songs (Psalm 57:7–11; Psalm 60:5–12). Psalm 57 relates to David's attempts to evade the jealous King Saul. Psalm 60 reacts to a surprise attack from Edom. Psalm 108 borrows the conclusions of these prior messages; these emphasize a commitment to praise and honor God and to recognize His absolute rule. The psalm is "of David" because it uses his words, but this arrangement may not have been his personal doing.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/21/2024 10:17:12 AM