Psalms 108
What Happens in This Chapter
This is a song of praise and a prayer for help. The singer promises to praise God with music, even early in the morning. God speaks about the lands that belong to him. Then the singer asks God to help his people win against their enemies.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
1God, my heart is steady and sure. I will sing to you. I will make music with all of me.
2Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
2Wake up, harp and lyre! I will wake up the morning with music.
A psaltery and a harp are stringed instruments, a little like a small guitar. "I will awake early" means the singer gets up before the sun to sing.
3I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
3LORD, I will thank you in front of many nations. I will sing your praises where all people can hear.
4For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
4Your love is bigger than the sky above us. You keep your promises, and that reaches the clouds.
5Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;
5God, show how great you are, higher than the sky. Let your glory fill the whole earth.
6That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.
6Answer me and save us with your strong right hand. Then the people you love will be safe.
7God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
7God has spoken from his holy place. He said, "I will win. I will hand out the land at Shechem. I will measure out the valley of Succoth."
8Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
8"Gilead is mine. Manasseh is mine. Ephraim is my helmet, and Judah is my ruler's staff."
9Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.
9"Moab is my washbowl. I throw my sandal down on Edom. I shout because I won over Philistia."
Washing bowls and sandals were jobs for servants. Saying this about Moab and Edom means God rules over those lands.
10Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
10Who will bring me into the city with strong walls? Who will lead me into Edom?
11Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
11God, have you turned away from us? You do not go out with our armies anymore.
The KJV says God "cast us off." That means God turned away and stopped helping, not that he threw anything.
12Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
12Please help us when trouble comes. People alone cannot save us.
13Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
13With God helping us, we will be brave. He will beat down our enemies.
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