Psalm 108

Read Psalm 108 ESV

Who - David is speaking to the LORD.

What - David is making a plea to the LORD for help.  He is calling to God for help against Israel's enemies, apparently after defeats by the enemies around Israel in Battle.  

When - Unstated.  However, verses 8-13 are an exact match to Psalm 60:7-12.  So both psalms are probably inspired by the same events in 2 Sam 8 & 10.   

Where - Unknown, possibly in Ammon in the army’s encampment there.

Why - David sees the plight of Israel as desperate.  He believes they are in danger from armies around them.  He also believes that no human agent can save them.  Their only hope is the LORD intervening for them.  

How - David opens with praise to the LORD and declarations of his faith and trust in the LORD.  David also declares he will praise the LORD before the people of Israel and all the nations.  Why?  The LORD’S steadfast love is above the heavens and his faithfulness reaches the clouds.  David asked for the LORD to display his glory to all the earth by his deliverance and salvation of Israel.  David calls on the promise of the LORD to exalt Israel and subdue the nations around them as the basis for the LORD saving Israel.  This is something the LORD has not done, but allowed the nations to have victory over Israel (verse 11).  David asks who will deliver us?  He answers his own question:  the salvation of man is vain, only the LORD could give victory to Israel.  David ends with a declaration of faith in the LORD, “With God we shall do valiantly.”  

So What 

1. In our distress and crisis we are to praise the LORD, singing His praise and give thanks to the LORD.  His deliverance is linked to our praise and worship of Him.  Because it shows our dependence on Him as well as our trust in Him in times of trouble.  
2. The LORD displays His glory through His deliverance.  However, it necessitates a crisis for Him to have something to deliver us from.  If we truly desire to bring God glory in and through our lives, we should be ready to experience a crisis so He can glorify His name by delivering us.  
3. When asking the LORD to deliver, we should base our request on and tie it to His stated promises.  Our God is a promise keeper.  He will never fail to fulfill a single promise He has made to His people.  In our darkest and most desperate times we have nothing more assured, more reliable, than trusting in and calling upon the promises of the LORD.