Psalm 108 - Give us aid

Psalm 108 - Give us aid

Read: Psalm 108 vs 1-13

David is out of bed early in Psalm 108. Before dawn (vs 2) he is singing and making music with all his soul (vs 1), with his harp and his lyre as his daily companions. David is clearly in a habit of this, it’s what he does, it’s how he starts his day. As we’ll see later in the Psalm David’s circumstances do not inspire much confidence (he feels that God is no longer going out before his armies, vs 11), but David’s confidence is not in circumstances, David’s confidence is in God. 

David starts his day, David begins this Psalm with what he knows and believes about God. The LORD’s name is to be praised among the nations (vs 3), the extent of His love and faithfulness are unimaginable (vs 4). David realises that many many people are living daily life without any awareness of God and he prays that God’s glory will be seen (vs 5) right across the earth. 

David knows however that while he can begin his day in worship and prayer he cannot live there all day. There is life to live and there are things to be done. Anticipating the challenges and responsibilities of the day ahead David prays that God will lead him to ‘Edom’ (either literally, or as an image of being brought to a place of safety). 

A number of years ago I visited Petra. It is a very famous historical site in the southern Jordanian desert, in the ancient region of Edom. Getting a donkey ride up into the red mountains of that region you look out over the surrounding regions. They are barren, beautiful and yet threatening. David looks out on all that he can see and he is gripped with the fact that God can look at all of these places and say ‘mine!’ (vs 8).

David writes this Psalm, it seems, as a king, he has many resources, and yet he knows that at the end of the day human resources are ‘worthless’ (vs 12), so he prays that God will give him the victory he needs. David praises, David prays, and with a steadfast heart (vs 1) David steps into his day.

Prayer: Father thank You that the whole earth belongs to You. Help me to step into Your world today, rooted in You, and steadfast in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.