PSALM 108 - DAVID'S SONG OF TRUST & VICTORY

INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 108, 57:7-11, 60:5-12

It is believed that inspiration for Psalm 108 is applied to two things:

1) David's PAST battles and victories - specifically with the Edomites, Moabites and the Philistines - that were the basis for his strong faith in the Lord. 

2) David's PRESENT challenges - a battle he was to face again with the Edomites.

David used the words of Scripture - parts of his Psalms (57:7-11; 60:5-12), for his present day THANKSGIVING AND SUPPLICATION prayers.  We too can do the same in our prayer journals.

In His PRAISE SONG he celebrated His VICTORIES; but he knows that they were truly GOD'S VICTORIES, for he knew he could not have won them alone. 

David TRUSTED IN GOD just as we should, knowing that "with God on our side we can do more than we think possible". 

Just as David rejoiced in His VICTORIES in the PAST, so we can rejoice in what God has done for us. We can also TRUST GOD, as David did, in our anxieties and trials, as we face the FUTURE. 

How do we know that we can trust Him?

* Because God is always us!

* He will never leaver us without an answe to our prayers!

*We can be lifted up with the promises of Scripture which give us courage and strength!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5&6  (NIV)

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

"With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies." Psalm 108:13 (NIV)

Next time, remember to TRUST GOD as He gives you RELIEF from your anxieties and VICTORY through all difficult circumstances, and TO GIVE HIM YOUR PRAISES!!  

PRAISE & WORSHIP - GOD'S LOVE & FAITHFULNESS - Read Psalm 108:1-5; 57:7-11

"Circumstances may be black, but those who fill their minds with God can sing His praises."

                                                                                           Pat & David Alexander

We too can have this same FAITH in our FATHER GOD. David knew God's love was very, very great. He knew that he was a special child of God, and that he deserved all His mercy, compassion and faithfulness. He also passed this wisdom and faith on to his son Solomon.

"O Lord God, there is no God like you, in all the Heaven and earth. You keep you covenant and SHOW UNFAILING LOVE to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion." 

                                                                                  2 Chronicles 6:14 (NLT)

"Your SPECIAL LOVE IS GREAT. It is higher than the skies. Your truth reaches beyond the clouds."  Psalm 108:4 (EEB)

The first 5 Verses of this Psalm come from another of David's - Psalm 57:7-11. He wrote this one in a time when he was hiding in a cave from King Saul, who had wanted to kill him. Paul and Silas also knew  the truth of praising God in difficult circumstances. 

"After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. About midnight Paul and Silas were PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD, and the other prisoners were listening to them." Acts 16:23-25 (NIV)

David tells God that he will always SING HIS PRAISES before the dawn (in the morning) with his harp and lyre (musical instrments). He believed God's love "reached to the skies" and shined to all the glory of creation. We too can sing praises in honour of our Father God, who is truly exalted above the Heavens.

"God I have decided to trust you always. I will sing songs of praise with all that I am, I will pick up my harp and lyre. I will make music as the sun rises! ......God, I will show how great You are, high above the sky! Let everybody on the earth see your glory." Psalm 108:1-2, 5 (EEB)

GOD'S SALVATION & VICTORY - Read Psalm 108:6-9,      60;5-12; Samuel 8

"God proclaims the land and the people of Israel as His own.....He declares His power over Israel's traditional enemies - the Moabites, the Edomites and the Philistines. We have declared David's victories and God's ultimate holiness." David & Pat Alexander

In this Psalm - Verses 7-8, a repitition of Psalm 60:5-12, we have a declaration of David's victories, but these are not his alone, for God would continue in His sovereignty over these lands, to be with David. Ultimately GOD WILL HAVE HIS WILL IN ISRAEL. In Verse 8, we read of the important jobs that God gave His people in Israel:

* IN EPHRAIM AND THE NORTHERN PROVINCES - they were the 'WARRIORS", the strong fighters.

* IN JERUSALEM AND JUDAH - we have their "RULERS", religious leaders and the government. 

"Gilead is mine, and Manasseh, too Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors, and Judah, my sceptor, will produce my Kings." Psalm 108:8 (NLT)

God also declared His authority over the Gentile nations of MOAB , EDOM and PHILISTIA. 

"But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant, and I will wipe my feet on Edom and shout in triumph over Philistia" Psalm 108:9 (NLT)

Although these were said to be God's humble servants, there was a time, we read in Scripture,  that Moab and Edom were known to be very proud nations. 

"The people of Judah say, "We know how proud Moab's people are. We have heard how they boast about themselves. They think that they can do anhything that they want. But all their pride is empty and useless."  Isaiah 16:6 (EEB)

"The Lord said to Edom, "I will cut you down to size among the nations; you will be greatly despised. You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains. "Who can ever reach us way up here"? you ask boastfully. But even if you soar as high as eagles and build your nest among the stars, I will bring you crahing down." Obadiah 1:2-4 (EEB)

It is believed that previously David was on good terms with the Moabites, until his parents were killed. David was "rescued by God's right hand". In 2 Samuel 8, we read how David conquered the land of Moab, and "those who were spared became David's subjects and paid him tribute money".  The Edomites also became David's subjects.

"In fact, the Lord gave David victories wherever He went." 2 Samuel 8:14b (NLT)

Finally, we read how God helped David conquer his greatest enemy - the Philistines. Right from the beginning, as a young lad when David had conquered the great giant Goliath, the Philistines had been his most difficult foe. But with the Lord's help:

"David defeated and subdued the Philistines by conquering Gath, their largest town." 

                                                                                             Samuel 8:1 (NLT)

DAVID'S TRUST - Read Psalm 108:10-13; 2 Chronicles 20

"David believed he was rescued by God's right hand of strength and might in the PAST  and he trusted God to do the same in the FUTURE." David Guzik

This final part of David's Psalm is believe to have been written when David was preparing for another battle .

"Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will bring me victory over Edom?"                                                                                                                           Psalm 108:10 (NLT)

He needed help conquering Edom again. There is no record of David conquering the "unconquerable city of Petra" in Edom, but as David has said over and over again, "WHAT SEEMS TO BE UNCONQUERABLE BY MAN, GOD CAN DO IT!"

"O please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless. With God's help we will do mighty things, for He will trample down our foes." Psalm 108:12&13

WE CAN FIGHT A FIGHT WHEN GOD IS ON OUR SIDE

One of my favourit passages in Scripture is 2 Chronicles 20. It tells the story of another great king, and  fighter of faith - King Jehosophat, who led the armies of Judah and Jerusalem. He was reminded, like David, that he did not go up against his enemies alone, FOR GOD WAS ON HIS SIDE!

"Oh our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We don't know what to do, but we are looking to You for help......Listen all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen King Jehosophat! This is what the Lord says: "Do not be afraid!  Do not be discouraged by the mighty army, for THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD'S......YOU WILL NOT EVEN NEED TO FIGHT. Take your positions; then STAND STILL AND WATCH THE LORD'S VICTORY. HE IS WITH YOU, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged." 2 Chronicles 20:12,15,17

David and Jehosophat were both elite soldiers who knew their men were useless in battle, unless God was with them. We too can be defeated if God is not with us; but WITH GOD ON OUR SIDE. like David and Jehosophat WE CAN HAVE HOPE AND VICTORY!

"Faith is neither a coward nor a sluggard. She knows that GOD IS WITH HER; therefore, SHE DOES VALIANTLY. She knows He will tread down her enemies, and therefore she arises to TREAD THEM DOWN IN HIS NAME." Charles Spurgeon

CONCLUSION - "THROUGH OUR GOD WE SHALL DO VALIANTLY."

Jesus has trodden down our enemies. The Messiah has stepped on Satan. We can do valiantly if we trust Him each day. The Lord will be by our side every day and night, as we seek His presence. 

PRAISE AND TRUST THE LORD! For HE WILL WIN THE BATTLE FOR YOU! FIGHT WITH JESUS CHRIST, YOUR SAVIOUR AND LORD, ON YOUR SIDE, AND SEE WHAT, TOGETHER, YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH!

"But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one.....May the Lord lead you into a full understanding and expression of the LOVE OF GOD and the PATIENT ENDURANCE that comes from Christ......Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you HIS PEACE AT ALL TIMES and IN EVERY SITUATION..... THE LORD BE WITH YOU ALL. May the grace of of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,"  2 Thessalonians 3:3,5,16&18

Henry, Kent, "Through our God We Shall Do Valiantly," 2020, Songs4Worship/Make a Joyful Noise, Maranatha

"Easy English Bible", 2018, Mission Assist, Wycliffe Translaters

"Thew Holy Bible - New International Version", 2011, Biblica

"The Holy Bible - New Living Translation", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers

Alexander, Pat & David, "The Lion Handbook to the Bible - 4th Edition", 2009, Lion Hudson

Guzik, David, "Psalm 108 - Praise and Trust from Past for Today", 2020, www.enduringword.com

Spurgeon, Charles, "The Treasury of David - Commentary on Psalms", 1885/2021, Christianity.com

PSALM 107: THANK THE LORD FOR OUR SALVATION

 INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 107

Psalm 107 is the first in the 5th Book of Psalms, written, we believe, by David, mainly as songs of THANKSGIVING AND WORSHIP. This is a HISTORICAL PSALM,  as we remember again how God's people - the Israelites - have come to the Promised Land, and how God has blessed them. 

We read of:

* Travellers, Wanders & Lost,  facing trials and discouragement in the desert wilderness.

* Captives and Prisoners who have disobeyed the laws of the Lord.

* The Sick and those who are Near Death.

* Sailors tossed in  Storms on the sea, both literally and of life. 

All these people "call out to the Lord in their distress", and we are reminded that God always listens to their prayers and answers them.

"God will rescue us from our trials if we ask Him for help." Max Lucado

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivers them in their distress." 

                                                                                                                 Psalm 107:6 (NLT)

Are you facing any of these trials? Are you discouraged? Circumstances may differ for each of us, but we all need to cry out to Lord for help in faith that He will hear us. God is able to lift the heaviest trial that we have and HE WILL! He can HEAL ANY SICKNESS and CALM ANY STORM in our life, but  he reality is, He doesn't always "DO IT IMMEDIATELY!" It will always be 'IN HIS TIME". We need to have COURAGE and be at PEACE, to TRUST HIM to let GOD SAVE US and do "HIS MIRACULOUS TRANSFORMATIONS" in our lives. 

"Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord." Psalm  104:43 (NLT)

In the final verses of this Psalm, David describes transformation on his CREATION and His PEOPLE. God was faithful and loving to His people, the Israelites, and through His Son Jesus, we too have a SAVIOUR AND DELIVERER.

ALL HIS PEOPLE THANK THE LORD  - Read Verses 1-3

We too are to give thanks for the LORD'S GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, MERCY AND LOVINGKINDNESS. WHY?

1. Because IT ENDURES FOREVER. God's love is eternal. No matter what happens in our future, we know that God will always be kind, loving and merciful to us.  For OUR GOD IS A FAITHFUL GOD!

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for He is good. His faithful love endures forever."

 Psalm 107:1 (NLT)

"The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease! Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning." Lamentations 3:22&23 (NIV)

2. Because WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IT IN OUR LIFE. We are "redeemed" because of His love in sending His Son Jesus to die for us. We therefore NEED TO TELL EVERYONE!

"Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story - those He has redeemed from the hand of the foe, those He gathered from the lands, from East and West, from North and South."

                                                                                            Psalm 107:2&3  (NIV)

3. Because God GATHERED HIS PEOPLE TOGETHER to worship and praise Him together. We still  too can do this together, as "redeemed" children of God. 

THE LORD HEARS THEIR CRIES

PART 1: TRAVELLERS,  WANDERING & LOST - Read Verses 4-9

The Israelites wandered in the wilderness. They were lost, hungry and thirsty. When they "cried out" God met their needs. We too, need to thank the Lord when He answereds our prayers. But our needs are more than just physical.  We have a longing in our soul that has filled. This is the greatest gift of all. 

Jesus tells 3 stories in Luke 15, parables of how he SEEKS OUT THE LOST:

                                           

                                           

        "In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents." 

                                                                                                              Luke 15:10 (NLT)      

" For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." Psalm 107:9

In Luke 1, Mary, the mother of Jesus, recites this verse in her prayer, for she had her "longing filled" when she had read Gods's Word. She loved the Lord and His Word. If we know God's Word  and have a desire to know Jesus, God's Son as our Saviour, "the hunger and thirst in our soul will be filled."

"Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never grow hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:33 (NIV)   

PART 2: GUILTY FROM CAPTIVITY - Read Verses 10-16  

Some of the people who came to the Promised Land had come from captivity in prisons. They were actually in dungeons and chains because they had rebelled against God. They were prisoners because of their disobedience.

They too fell down and "cried to the Lord". A cry can be the "most eleoquent type of prayer" in which we "weep out our souls". In some cases it can be a "confession of our sins", in which case the Lord "immediately hears us and forgives us", cleansing our souls.

We too have had our chains broken by Jesus. We trust in His redeeming work at Calvary. In His time, our trials will passd as we TRUST AND OBEY, and look forward to HIS MERCY AND GRACE. We will come, in time, become like "gold tried in a fire". 

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith - of greater worth than gold even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honour, when Jesus Christ is revealed."

                                                                                                   1 Peter 1:6&7  (NIV)

"This is comfort to the greatest sinners, if they can find a praying heart, God will find a "pitying heart". Rebels shall receive with sweetness, if at length they return, though bought at the cross."

                                                                                                        JOHN TRAPP

"For it is BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED, through FAITH - and this is not from yourselves, IT IS A GIFT FROM GOD." Ephesians 2:8  (NIV)

     PART 3: SICKNESS & DEATH - Verses 17-22   

Because of their iniquities and foolishness, the Israelites became sick; but still God listened to their "cries" and heard their prayers. But if he removed from us our difficult times of illness "immediately", He leaves no time for the lessons He could teach us. 

Don't get me wrong, I believe in PRAYING TO TH LORD, and have EXPERIENCED HIS ANSWERS, but they have been IN HIS OWN TIME and according TO HIS OWN WILL. 

"The Lord doesn't always see fit to remove a disease from His child, though instead He removes the His children from the disease by taking them to Heaven." Ian Story.            

I have experienced this answer many a time too, when it has come to praying for family illness. I am not saying I have not grieved at the losses, but I have discovered that God has always been with me in this times, because I have "called out to Him in my distress".

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress. He sent out His Word and healed them; He rescued them from the grave." Psalm 107:19&20 (NIV)

We need to have an appetite for God's Word, for the Bible is the "most reliable healer". In the Gospels we read many instances of where Jesus heals the sick and even raises the dead.

"All that God had to do in order to save us is to SEND US INTO HIS WORD. He has done this by sending HIS DEAR SON who is the INCARNATE WORD. He sent us HIS WORD in the shaper of the HOLY SCRIPTURES, and with the PREACHING OF HIS SERVANTS, but what we want most of all is the WORD SENT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT." Charles Spurgeon

"In the beginning was the WORD, and WORD WAS WITH GOD, and the WORD WAS GOD."

                                                                                                                        John 1:1     (NIV)  

"Let us give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works  and songs of joy." Psalm 107:21-22 (NIV)

PART 4: STORM TOSSED - Read Verses 23-32

Many sailors had come to the Promised Land travelling over the seas. They had seen storms which had  tossed them back and forth, Like all others in need, they too "called out to the Lord" when they were "storm tossed". 

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper, the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven." Psalm 107:28-30 (NIV)  

"I have been at sea in the storm and in the circumstances I describe, I have cried out to the Lord in my trouble. I am spurred to describe the storm and to retale GOD'S MERCY. None, but either a man inspired by God, will show things as they are or who as actually been in these circumstances can tell you in what priority the Psalmists speaks. GOD SAVED THE READER from such a dangerous an fearful tempest at sea." Adam Clarke                             

You, like the Psalmist and Adam Clarke, will want to have a "safe haven" when you too are in the "storms of life". And as "wild as it gets", God will calm it, just as Jesus calmed His disciples in the storm on the Sea of Galilee, even though they had "litte faith".

This is the final part in which this Psalm reminds us that we need to GIVE THE LORD THANKS AND PRAISE for HIS SALVATION, REDEMPTION AND DELIVERANCE from trials.

"Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and His wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them exalt Him in the assembly of the people and praise Him in the council of the elders." 

                                                                                      Psalm 107:31-32 (NIV)

                          GOD'S TRANSFORMATIONS

PART 1: OF HIS CREATION - Verses 33-38

God turns GOOD INTO BAD like a river into wilderness. The beautiful Jerusalem was again turned into a desert. 

"He turned rivers into desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground, and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there." Psalm 107:33-34  (NIV)

God also turns BAD INTO GOOD - the dry land was again fruitful. He multiplied everything because of  His blessings. 

"He turned the desertr into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; there He brought the hungry to live, and they found a city where they could settle. They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest; He blessed them; and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let her herds diminish." Psalm 107:35-38 (NIV)

PART 2: OF HIS PEOPLE AND KINGDOMS - Read Verse 39-41

The Lord lifts up His people ON HIGH. The princes are brought LOW and His people become the KINGDOM OF JERUSALEM, numerous as a flock.

"But He lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks."

                                                                                         Psalm 107: 41 (NIV)

Just as the Israelites were rescued, blessed and transformed by God, we have been transformed by His Son Jesus. He died for us on the Cross, so that we receive forgiveness from our sin, and Jesus as our Saviour. We also recieve adoption as God's children.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." 

                                                                       Galatians 2:20  (NIV)

"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith." Galatians 3:26 (NIV)

CONCLUSION - Verses 42&43

God rescued us from trials when we faithful and "call out to Him" in prayer. He transforms us and makes changes:

* HE GIVE GUIDANCE TO THE LOST.

* HE GIVES LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVE.

* HE RESTORES THE SICK AND THOSE NEAR DEATH.

* HE DELIVERS THOSE TOSSED AT SEA.

The people who are RIGHTEOUS notice these things, how God acts in history, and understands why He is so LOVING, MERCIFUL AND FAITHFUL; and they do what they do to OBSERVE HIS WAYS. 

"Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the LOVING DEEDS OF THE LORD."

                                                                                       Psalm 107:43 (NIV)

"Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for HE IS GRACIOUS and COMPASSIONATE, slow to anger, and ABOUNDING IN LOVE, and He relents from sending calamity." Joel 2:13 (NIV)

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28  (NIV)

 

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Guzik, David, "Psalm 107 - Learning from God's Deliverance to Return Exiles", (2020), ewm.enduringword.com

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(2003), Thomas Nelson

Spurgeon, Charles, "The Treasury of David - Commentary on Psalms", (1885/2021), Christianity.com

Taylor, Kenneth, "New Steps for New Christians", (1985), Tyndale House Publishers

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