God is our Valiant Hope - Psalms 108-110

Psalms 108:12-13 (ESV)
Oh grant us help against the foe,
for vain is the salvation of man!
With God we shall do valiantly;
it is he who will tread down our foes.

There are four points in these two verses from Psalm 108.   Each line gives us something to be encouraged and/or instructed by:

1.  We can find help against our foes!   God is available, ready and desirous of helping us against those who oppose us.  Psalm 109 is completely about someone who opposed King David.   God knows our foes.  God wants to help us with our foes. He is waiting to hear from us and our request for help.  

2.  Mankind can’t be dependable.   David states that “vain is the salvation of man.”   He was often hunted by Saul and tried to find refuge with others.  They would often betray him.   David learned that turning to man in the time of great need is nether profitable or dependable.   As he was run out of his own kingdom by his own son, those who were once for him deserted him.    When we put our trust in mankind we will be extremely disappointed. 

3.  God is a help that provides victory.   The Hebrew word for “valiantly” in the above text is, “chayil.”  According to Vine the word means: “strength; power; wealth; property; capable; valiant; army; troops; influential; upper-class people (courtiers).”  “First, this word signifies a faculty or “power,” the ability to effect or produce something. The word is used of physical “strength” in the sense of power that can be exerted: “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength...” (Eccl. 10:10). Quite often this word appears in a military context.”   So, through God we have power to conquer.  

4. God is the best person to conquer our foes.   We have prejudice, bias and ill-will, especially toward our foes.  We are not a “righteous judge” to correct our foes.  God is the perfect judge and has pure righteousness.  When we give our foes to Him, He has the power to “tread down our foes” and the righteousness to do so without prejudice, bias and ill-will.   God’s wrath and discipline are as pure as His love and care.  

We are to go to God for help in times of need.  Especially when that need is because of how others are engaging with us.   He is the perfect help in times of these troubles.