108:title A song The Hebrew word used here, shir, may refer to a song that is meant to be chanted, not accompanied by musical instrumentation.

A psalm of David See note on 3:title.

David and the Psalm Titles

is steadfast The psalmist is confident in God’s protection. See note on 57:7.

harp and lyre Refers to two different stringed instruments associated with temple worship. See note on 92:3.

I will awake the dawn This probably indicates that the psalmist woke early to praise God.

peoples The psalmist will not restrict his praise of God, but will praise Him among all peoples and nations. See note on 96:3; note on 57:9.

the nations The Hebrew word used here, ummim, is a term for ethnic groups other than the Israelites; goyim is the more common Hebrew term (see 96:3 and note).

above the heavens The psalmist notes that God is above the heavens; this shows that God is above everything in terms of fame and power.

Save by The verb yasha' (“to deliver” or “to save”) generally refers to deliverance from real hazards and problems.

answer me The word anah (“to answer” or “to reply”) is a common request in the psalms. It implicitly contains a request for God to react positively and willingly to the psalmist’s plea.

Shechem A city in the tribe of Manasseh, located about 65 miles north of Jerusalem. See note on Gen 12:6.

the valley of Succoth A city east of the Jordan River. See note on Gen 33:17.

Gilead is A mountainous region to the east of Succoth.

Manasseh is A tribal allotment consisting of areas on both sides of the Jordan River. See note on Num 32:33.

Ephraim is A tribal allotment west of the Jordan River, located between Manasseh and Benjamin. See note on Gen 48:20.

Judah is Often used as a designation for the entire southern kingdom, the tribal allotment of Judah included Jerusalem.

scepter The Hebrew word used here, mechoqeq, is also used in Gen 49:10, where the tribe of Judah is associated with the royal line in Israel.

Moab is An area east of the Dead Sea to the southeast of Jerusalem. An enemy of Israel in much of the ot (see note on Ruth 1:1).

my washing pot God is simultaneously claiming the lands of Israel’s traditional enemies and demeaning them. The lands of Moab and Edom belong to God, who is described as using them like the furniture in His palace—a palace which emerges from Jerusalem.

Edom An area south of the Dead Sea.

Philistia An area along the coast of Israel. See note on Ps 60:8.

Who will bring me This question is answered in v. 11.

Edom A perpetual enemy of ancient Israel. See note on v. 9.

60, which much of Psa 108 quotes, specifically identifies Edom as the enemy of Israel. Edom here in Psa 108 may refer to a different enemy or even a more general threat.

not gone out The psalmist asserts God has rejected them because He did not help Israel in its battles with foreign peoples.

the help of humankind The psalmist focuses on the sort of help that people can give—probably in terms of military strength.