Psalms 108 COMMENTARY (Gill)

Whoso is wise,.... Or as it may be read interrogatively, "who is wise?" as in Jeremiah 9:12, that is, spiritually wise, wise unto salvation; who is made to know wisdom in the hidden part; for not such as are possessed of natural wisdom, or worldly wise men, much less who are wise to do evil, are here meant.

And will observe these things; the remarkable appearances of divine Providence to persons in distress; the various changes and vicissitudes in the world; the several afflictions of God's people, and their deliverances out of them; the wonderful works of God in nature, providence, and grace; these will be observed, taken notice of, laid up in the mind, and kept by such who are truly wise, who know how to make a right use and proper improvement of them.

Even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord; everyone of the wise men; they will perceive the kindness of God unto all men, in the several dispensations of his providence towards them, and his special love and kindness towards his own people, even in all their afflictions; they will perceive this to be at the bottom of every mercy and blessing; they will understand more of the nature and excellency of it, and know more of the love of God and Christ, which passeth knowledge. Or "the kindnesses of the Lord shall be understood": that is, by wise men; so R. Moses in Aben Ezra renders the words.

INTRODUCTION TO Psalm 108

A Song or Psalm of David. This psalm consists of several passages out of the fifty seventh and sixtieth psalms, with very little variation. Jarchi and Kimchi refer it to the times of the Messiah. The title in the Syriac version is,

"concerning the calling of the Gentiles,''

to which, no doubt, it has respect.

O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise,.... From hence to Psalm 108:6 the words are taken out of Psalm 57:7, which see.

Even with my glory; my tongue; in Psalm 57:8, it is read, "awake up my glory". See Gill on Psalm 57:7,

For thy mercy is great above the heavens,..... It is in Psalm 57:10, "thy mercy is great unto the heavens". See Gill on Psalm 57:10.

That thy beloved may be delivered,.... From hence to the end of the psalm the words are taken out of Psalm 60:5. See Gill on Psalm 60:5.

Over Philistia will I triumph,.... In Psalm 60:8, it is, "Philistia, triumph thou because of me"; See Gill on Psalm 60:8.

And wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?.... In Psalm 60:10, it is, "and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies". See Gill on Psalm 60:10.