Psalms

Psalms 108: Steadfast praise and help from God

Begin in prayer

Before we hear David awaken the dawn with praise, let us consider the faithful God whose help His people need. Ask Him to bring us to Jesus and give us courage grounded in His Word.

For you have armed me with strength for the battle. You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

2 Samuel 22:40

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God's faithful word gives His people reason for praise and confidence in His help. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David's steadfast heart wakes harp and lyre for a song that will greet the dawn. He will praise the Lord among the nations because His loving kindness is above the heavens and His faithfulness reaches the skies. Asking for God's glory over all the earth, he seeks deliverance for those God loves. God answers from His sanctuary with His claim over Israel's lands and His rule over Moab, Edom and Philistia. The king asks who will lead him into Edom's fortified city, bringing God's rejection and absence from the armies into his prayer. He asks help against the enemy because human deliverance is vain, then resolves to act valiantly through God, who will tread down their enemies.

As you read Psalms 108, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God's great loving kindness and faithful word give His king reason for steadfast praise and confidence in His help.

David's settled heart gives voice and instruments to praise before the prayer for battle is heard. Waking the dawn pictures eagerness that will begin singing before the day begins. The greatness of God's loving kindness and faithfulness makes that praise fit for the nations to hear. Seeking His glory above heaven and over earth gives the plea for His beloved people's rescue its purpose. The answer comes from God's sanctuary, where His word declares His ownership of the land that armies fight to possess. Shechem and Succoth stand on opposite sides of the Jordan, with Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim and Judah belonging to Him. Moab's wash pot, the sandal thrown on Edom and the shout over Philistia picture His authority over peoples who oppose His king. The question about the fortified city holds present rejection beside that promise, asking the same God for help no human strength can supply. Courage follows dependence, because the people will act through God and He will tread down their enemies.

How does Psalm 108 show us that God's great loving kindness and faithful word give His king reason for steadfast praise and confidence in His help?

God's loving kindness and faithfulness deserve steadfast praise among the nations.

David wakes his instruments and promises praise that will greet the dawn. God's kindness rises above the heavens and His faithfulness reaches the skies. A heart settled on that character has reason to seek His glory over all the earth.

God's faithful word declares His rule over His people's land and their enemies.

The plea for His beloved people's rescue receives an answer from His sanctuary. Israel's territories belong to Him, and neighbouring nations stand beneath His authority. The wash pot and sandal give that claim everyday pictures of subjection and ownership.

God gives the help His people need for courageous action.

The king asks for a way into the fortified city while acknowledging God's rejection of the armies. Human help cannot deliver them. Confidence that God will tread down the enemy gives them courage to act through Him.

Memorise

For your loving kindness is great above the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psalm 108:4

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what human strength am I trusting more than the faithful Lord Jesus?

The king prays, “Give us help against the enemy, for the help of man is vain.” God's spoken claim over the land gives him courage to ask. Praise of His faithfulness comes before the need that no army can settle.

Our own strength cannot rescue us from the judgment our sins deserve. Jesus died for His people, enduring the judgment against their sins. The Father raised Him from the dead. His completed obedience and sacrifice are enough for their pardon and acceptance, accomplishing the saving work no human ally could perform.

Turn from your sin and place your confidence in Jesus. Every sinner who comes to Him is forgiven. Ask Him for a heart settled in His faithful love, ready to praise Him before the day's demands begin. Their living King strengthens everyone trusting Him to obey His Word with courage while depending on His help.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's faithful word gives His people reason for praise and confidence in His help. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His great loving kindness and faithful word, and ask for help that produces courageous obedience. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Now I have told you before it happens so that, when it happens, you may believe.

John 14:29

Faithful God, please forgive our dependence on strength that cannot save us and bring us to Jesus for pardon. Thank You for the complete work by which He reconciles His people to You. Settle our hearts in Your loving kindness and give us songs before the day begins. Help us obey Your Word with courage, trusting the King whose authority reaches every nation. Amen.