Psalm 108

¹I am determined, O God![#tn Or perhaps “confident”; Heb “my heart is steadfast.” The “heart” is viewed here as the seat of the psalmist’s volition and/or emotions.]

I will sing and praise you with my whole heart.

²Awake, O stringed instrument and harp!

I will wake up at dawn!

³I will give you thanks before the nations, O Lord !

I will sing praises to you before foreigners!

⁴For your loyal love extends beyond the sky,[#tn Heb “for great upon the sky [or “heavens”] [is] your loyal love.”]

and your faithfulness reaches the clouds.

⁵Rise up above the sky, O God![#tn Or “be exalted.”]

May your splendor cover the whole earth!

⁶Deliver by your power and answer me,[#tn Heb “right hand.”]

so that the ones you love may be safe.

⁷God has spoken in his sanctuary:[#tn Heb “in his holy place.”]

“I will triumph! I will parcel out Shechem,

the valley of Succoth I will measure off.

⁸Gilead belongs to me,

as does Manasseh!

Ephraim is my helmet,

Judah my royal scepter.

⁹Moab is my wash basin.[#sn The metaphor of the wash basin, used to rinse one’s hands and feet, suggests that Moab, in contrast to Israel’s elevated position (vv. 7-8), would be reduced to the status of a servant.]

I will make Edom serve me.

I will shout in triumph over Philistia.”

¹⁰Who will lead me into the fortified city?

Who will bring me to Edom?

¹¹Have you not rejected us, O God?

O God, you do not go into battle with our armies.

¹²Give us help against the enemy,

for any help men might offer is futile.

¹³By God’s power we will conquer;[#tn Heb “in God we will accomplish strength.” The statement refers here to military success (see Num 24:18; 1 Sam 14:48; Pss 60:12; 118:16-16).]

he will trample down our enemies.