Psalm 108

This was written on the fifteenth anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center (9/11/2001).  Perhaps it is fitting to consider this Psalm on this day.  For some it may need to be fifteen years in the rear view mirror before they can figure out how to have the same ability to reflect on our “undeserved” troubles and to do the necessary self-examination.  Consider this Psalm first; then let us see if it helps us in our own historical context.

·         108:1-5: (These verses are identical to Ps. 57:7-11).  Pay close attention to what the Psalmist says.  The rest of the Psalm will reveal he is in need of help.  But at the outset he makes it very clear: his heart is steadfast in that he will give praise and glory to God regardless of the situation and its eventual outcome.  He will even give God glory from his own glory (v1), meaning he will use the acclaim that has been given to him and refer it to God.  He does not doubt that those twin attributes of God (chesed, His mercy or lovingkindness and emet, His truth or faithfulness) are still very real (v4).  Whatever his struggle he will not deny God!  And in v5 he prefaces his prayer by asking God to glorify Himself.  What a great call to praise.

·         108:6-13: (These verses are identical to Ps. 60:5-12).  He now engages in a two-way conversation with God whereby he makes request (v6), receives an answer (v7-9), and then goes in faith (v10-13).  The request is that God will choose to glorify Himself by saving him and the nation.  It seems that this is the prayer of a warrior (Spurgeon called it The Warrior’s Morning Song).  He will be engaged in battle.  While we have no idea which war he is engaged in we do know that he is an Israelite and it involves the chosen Nation.  Further it seems to come at a time when Israel has experienced defeat because of the references in v11.  So he is calling on God to be faithful to His covenant.  And in the conversation God answers in the affirmative in that He affirms His special relationship with Israel (v7-8) as well as His disdain for the nations that so often afflicted Israel (v9).  It is possible the warrior himself repeats these words as if to give himself courage in the light of God’s relationship with Israel.  The conversation closes with positive words, but not just the power of positive thinking.  The warrior acknowledges his total dependence upon God and gains courage from the God of mercy and truth.  Any victory will be gained by God!

The United States does not have a covenant relationship with God as did Israel.  But like any people, they are free to call upon God.  Our governmental leaders are His servants and can call upon Him for wisdom and effectiveness.  What 9/11 provided was an opportunity to see our need for God and that the greatest of men are unable to prevent every attack.  It provided one of the nations, our nation, the opportunity to affirm, Through God we will do valiantly.  Every trial of nations and individuals is a call to bow before the God of mercy and truth.