Psalm 108 was compiled after the return from exile when the small Jewish state struggled to survive in the midst of hostile surrounding nations. In this ‘night-time’ experience the poet resolves to “awaken the dawn” with a song of praise and supplication. In doing so he reaches into the collection of psalms already available to him and pieces together a new song. Psalm 108 is a composite psalm made up from Psalm 57:7-11 and Psalm 60:5-12. I often find myself calling to mind parts of different psalms when I pray in different situations, so I appreciate what this post-exilic poet is doing here. However, his point is deeper than just calling a couple of old songs into play for a new situation. He is connecting his prayer with those of the past and this gives his prayer an extra weight. He is walking on a road previously cut out and appealing to promises delivered in times past. In Psalm 60, traditional enemy territories like Moab and Edom are poetically pictured as the place where God will make himself at home. As the threat from these enemies renews in this period so too does the psalmist renew old prayers. And from this he gains assurance that God will lead him against his enemies in triumph. If you want to bring the light of dawn into a night-time situation, then take up the Psalms and join your prayers with those of God’s people through the ages. We have a common enemy and a common goal with all God’s people, and it is fitting that we have these common prayers to lead us to God.
Pray for God’s kingdom to break into the lives of the people around you.
Read Psalm 108
