King James Version
Psalms 108
13 verses with commentary
My Heart Is Steadfast, O God
A Song or Psalm of David. O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
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KJV Study Commentary
The psalm opens with a declaration of steadfast resolve: 'O God, my heart is fixed.' The word 'fixed' (Hebrew 'nakown') means established, stable, or firmly resolved. This internal disposition of the heart precedes and enables external worship. The repetition 'I will sing and give praise' emphasizes joyful determination. 'Even with my glory' (Hebrew 'kevodi') could mean 'my soul,' 'my honor,' or '...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**52-54. made his ... forth--**or, brought them by periodical journeys (compare Ex 15:1).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Awake, psaltery and harp</strong> (עוּרָה הַנֵּבֶל וְכִנּוֹר, urah hanevel vekinnor)—David personifies his instruments, commanding them to 'wake up.' <em>Urah</em> (awake!) is urgent summons. The <em>nevel</em> (psaltery, a larger stringed instrument) and <em>kinnor</em> (lyre) were David's worship tools.<br><br><strong>I myself will awake early</strong> (אָעִירָה שָּׁחַר, a'irah shakhar)—...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**52-54. made his ... forth--**or, brought them by periodical journeys (compare Ex 15:1).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse expands the scope of worship from personal resolution to public testimony: 'I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people.' The commitment moves beyond private devotion to public declaration. 'Among the people' and 'among the nations' creates a parallel structure showing that testimony to God's greatness transcends tribal, ethnic, and national boundaries. 'I will sing praises unto thee a...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**55. by line--**or, the portion thus measured.
**divided them--**that is, the heathen, put for their possessions, so tents--that is, of the heathen (compare De 6:11).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. clouds: or, skies
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For thy mercy is great above the heavens</strong> (כִּי־גָדוֹל מֵעַל־שָׁמַיִם חַסְדֶּךָ, ki-gadol me'al shamayim chasdekha)—God's <em>chesed</em> (covenant love, loyal kindness) exceeds the highest heavens. <em>Me'al</em> (above, beyond) suggests immeasurable scope. The heavens represent ultimate height and expanse, yet God's faithful love transcends even that.<br><br><strong>And thy truth...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**56-57. a deceitful bow--**which turns back, and so fails to project the arrow (2Sa 1:22; Ho 7:16). They relapsed.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse presents a prayer for God's manifest glory: 'Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens.' The word 'exalted' involves being lifted up, magnified, and acknowledged as supreme. 'Above the heavens' places God beyond all created order - transcendent over even the highest created realm. The parallel 'let thy glory be above all the earth' prays for God's glorious character and reputation to be...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**56-57. a deceitful bow--**which turns back, and so fails to project the arrow (2Sa 1:22; Ho 7:16). They relapsed.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.
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KJV Study Commentary
"That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me." The appeal <em>lema'an yechaltzun yedidekha</em> (in order that may be delivered your beloved ones) grounds petition in God's love for His people. <em>Chalatz</em> (deliver/rescue) means to draw out, snatch away from danger. <em>Yedid</em> (beloved) indicates those loved, favored by God—His covenant people. "Save with th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
58. Idolatry resulted from sparing the heathen (compare Psa 78:9-11).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>God hath spoken in his holiness</strong> (אֱלֹהִים דִּבֶּר בְּקָדְשׁוֹ, Elohim dibber bekodsho)—God's speech originates from His <em>kodesh</em> (holiness, set-apartness). This may mean 'in His sanctuary' (temple/heaven) or 'by His holiness' (swearing by His own character). Either way, God's word carries absolute authority and certainty.<br><br><strong>I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**59-60. heard--**perceived (Ge 11:7).
**abhorred--**but not utterly.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine</strong> (לִי גִלְעָד לִי מְנַשֶּׁה, li Gil'ad li Menasheh)—God claims ownership using emphatic <em>li</em> (mine, to me) repeated. Gilead (Transjordan highlands) and Manasseh (tribe spanning both sides of Jordan) represent territories conquered under Joshua. God's 'mine' asserts sovereign right.<br><br><strong>Ephraim also is the strength of mine head</str...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**59-60. heard--**perceived (Ge 11:7).
**abhorred--**but not utterly.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →Moab is my washpot ; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Moab is my washpot</strong> (מוֹאָב סִיר רַחְצִי, Mo'av sir rachitzi)—<em>sir</em> (pot, basin) used for washing. Moab, Israel's perpetual enemy east of the Dead Sea, is reduced to servant status—a mere washbasin for God's feet. Extreme humiliation imagery.<br><br><strong>Over Edom will I cast out my shoe</strong> (עַל־אֱדוֹם אַשְׁלִיךְ נַעֲלִי, al-Edom ashlich na'ali)—casting a sandal sym...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**61. his strength--**the ark, as symbolical of it (Psa 96:6).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Who will bring me into the strong city?</strong> (מִי יֹבִלֵנִי עִיר מִבְצָר, mi yovileni ir mivtzar)—David shifts from confidence to questioning. <em>Ir mivtzar</em> (fortified city) likely refers to Petra, Edom's mountain fortress carved from rock, famously impregnable. The question 'Who?' acknowledges human inability.<br><br><strong>Who will lead me into Edom?</strong> (מִי נָחַנִי עַד־...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**62. gave--**or, "shut up."
**his people--**(Psa 78:48; 1Sa 4:10-17).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off?</strong> (הֲלֹא־אַתָּה אֱלֹהִים זְנַחְתָּנוּ, halo-attah Elohim zenachtanu)—<em>zenach</em> (cast off, reject, spurn) describes God's discipline, possibly referring to recent military defeats (Psalm 60 context). Yet <em>halo-attah</em> (is it not You?) appeals to the very God who disciplined to now restore.<br><br><strong>Wilt not thou, O God, go...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**63. fire--**either figure of the slaughter (1Sa 4:10), or a literal burning by the heathen.
**given to marriage--**literally, "praised"--that is, as brides.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
This verse confronts human insufficiency in stark terms: 'Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.' The prayer 'give us help' acknowledges complete dependence on divine intervention. 'From trouble' (Hebrew 'tzar') indicates distress, adversity, or enemies. The second clause explains the urgency: 'for vain is the help of man.' 'Vain' (Hebrew 'shav') means empty, worthless, or false. ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
64. (Compare 1Sa 4:17); and there were, doubtless, others.
**made no lamentation--**either because stupefied by grief, or hindered by the enemy.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
This verse contrasts sharply with the previous one, moving from human inadequacy to divine sufficiency: 'Through God we shall do valiantly.' The preposition 'through' (Hebrew 'be') indicates agency, instrumentality - God is the means and source of strength. 'We shall do valiantly' implies courageous action, brave exploits, showing strength. This is not passive waiting but active engagement empower...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
65. (Compare Psa 22:16; Is 42:13).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 108
--We may usefully select passages from different psalms, as here, Psa 57; 60, to help our devotions, and enliven our gratitude. When the heart is firm in faith and love, the tongue, being employed in grateful praises, is our glory. Every gift of the Lord honours and profits the possessor, as it is employed in God's service and to his glory. Believers may pray with assured faith and h...
Read full commentary →