The text: Psalm 108 – NRSV
Psalm 108 is a remarkable thing: the first half is a copy of portions of Psalm 57, and the second half is a copy of portions of Psalm 60. So on the surface we have here a case of the Hebrew community repurposing older content in new ways, likely in a new context. That, in and of itself, is an important insight into the dynamic and living nature of Scripture, and encourages us to use them in our own mediations as the Spirit guides. Moreover, this recombination of earlier material indicates intentionality, and prompts us to ask why the psalmist editor knitted 57 and 60 together in this way. Reading the result, one might surmise from its beginning that this is a song of praise and celebration, but in fact the psalmist is in deep distress. The first hint is in v.6, the last verse included from Psalm 57. The core of the pain comes toward the end: but you have rejected us, God, haven’t you? You, God, no longer accompany our armies. The sense of abandonment is clear. As in other examples we have discussed, if it is hard to relate to the image of an army, try substituting your own community, family, or even your individual life. For the psalmist, and perhaps for us in our darker times, God seems nowhere to be found. Nevertheless, the psalm begins with an anthem of praise! Seen in the overall context, as knitted together, this praise comes not as a response to the psalmist’s current bleak situation, but rather is a proclamation of faith in God and God’s salvation, despite all evidence to the contrary. By now, if you have journeyed this far, you will recognize this common pattern in so many laments in the psalter. This is why they always contain verses of praise: the psalmist sings a song of praise from the darkness into the face of the darkness, knowing full well that the darkness has no chance against the might of God. Could there possibly be better news? Hallelujah!
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