Praise Among the Nations
Study note
David's heart is steadfast and he will sing praise even among the nations. God's love is higher than the heavens and his faithfulness reaches the clouds.
1 God, my heart is steady and sure. I will sing! I will make music with everything I have! O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
2 Get up, harp and lyre! I am going to wake the sunrise with my song. Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
3 Lord, I will thank you in front of all the nations. I will sing your praises wherever people gather. I will praise thee, O LORD, among the people: and I will sing praises unto thee among the nations.
4 Your loyal love rises higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness stretches all the way to the clouds. For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds.
5 Be lifted up above the heavens, God! Let your glory spread over the whole earth. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth;
God Claims the Land
Study note
God speaks and claims authority over regions: Shechem, Gilead, Ephraim, and Judah. Moab is his washbasin. Over Edom he throws his sandal.
6 Reach out your strong right hand and save us! Answer me so the people you love can be set free. That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me.
7 God has spoken from his sanctuary: "I will shout in victory! I will divide up Shechem and measure out the Valley of Succoth." God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
8 Gilead belongs to me, and so does Manasseh. Ephraim is my battle helmet. Judah is my royal staff. Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
9 Moab is the bowl I wash my feet in. I toss my sandal over Edom to claim it. I shout my victory over Philistia." Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.
Victory Through God
Study note
David asks who will lead him into the fortified city. Human help is worthless, but with God they will do mighty things.
10 But who will take me into that well-defended city? Who will lead me all the way to Edom? Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
11 Have you turned your back on us, God? You are no longer marching out with our soldiers. Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
12 Give us backup against our enemy, because help from people is worth nothing. Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
13 With God fighting alongside us, we will accomplish great things. He is the one who will stomp our enemies flat. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.