Psa 108:13 | KingComments | STEP | After God has announced His ownership of various places and areas inside and outside of Israel, David asks who will bring him “into the strong city” ( , Darby Translation). The fortress of Petra, the capital of Edom, built in rocks, is that strong city. Because of its natural location, it is humanly impossible to conquer that city. Is there anyone, David wonders, who can lead him “to Edom”, into its center? He himself gives the answer to his question. It can be none other than God ( ). But God has rejected them. Prophetically, that is the time when Israel is under the rule of the antichrist. God has had to give His people over to it because of their unfaithfulness to Him. That David nevertheless says that God will lead him into Edom shows his faith. The God Who has rejected them is the Only One Who can help him and his army. Certainly, God did not go out with the armies of His people because His people had turned away from Him. That is why they were defeated. But that makes it immediately clear that the only way to overcome is for God to go out with them again. Therefore, those who fear God can appeal to no one else in their distress but to Him alone ( ). God has brought them into that distress and therefore He is the Only One Who can lead them out of it as well. Therefore, they cry out for His help. They acknowledge in what they have sinned in the past: “For deliverance by man is in vain” (cf. ). We can also apply this spiritually. When a man is in spiritual distress about his sins, there is no man who can help him. The Only One Who can help is God. He alone can deliver him from the burden of his sins, no one else. For this He gave His Son. The same applies to the guidance in the life of the believer. Only God knows which way to go. Therefore, he must go to Him and not let himself be led by men. He has given His Word and His Spirit to guide him. Only with God, with His help, God’s people will do valiantly ( ). He provides His people with strength and courage to fight the enemies. This statement shows trust in God in the face of their own powerlessness. If He is with them, they will tread down their adversaries, which is tantamount to God treading them down (cf. ).

‏ Psalms 108:13

God Is the Only Helper

After God has announced His ownership of various places and areas inside and outside of Israel, David asks who will bring him “into the strong city” (Psa 108:10, Darby Translation). The fortress of Petra, the capital of Edom, built in rocks, is that strong city. Because of its natural location, it is humanly impossible to conquer that city. Is there anyone, David wonders, who can lead him “to Edom”, into its center?

He himself gives the answer to his question. It can be none other than God (Psa 108:11). But God has rejected them. Prophetically, that is the time when Israel is under the rule of the antichrist. God has had to give His people over to it because of their unfaithfulness to Him. That David nevertheless says that God will lead him into Edom shows his faith. The God Who has rejected them is the Only One Who can help him and his army. Certainly, God did not go out with the armies of His people because His people had turned away from Him. That is why they were defeated. But that makes it immediately clear that the only way to overcome is for God to go out with them again.

Therefore, those who fear God can appeal to no one else in their distress but to Him alone (Psa 108:12). God has brought them into that distress and therefore He is the Only One Who can lead them out of it as well. Therefore, they cry out for His help. They acknowledge in what they have sinned in the past: “For deliverance by man is in vain” (cf. Isa 2:22).

We can also apply this spiritually. When a man is in spiritual distress about his sins, there is no man who can help him. The Only One Who can help is God. He alone can deliver him from the burden of his sins, no one else. For this He gave His Son. The same applies to the guidance in the life of the believer. Only God knows which way to go. Therefore, he must go to Him and not let himself be led by men. He has given His Word and His Spirit to guide him.

Only with God, with His help, God’s people will do valiantly (Psa 108:13). He provides His people with strength and courage to fight the enemies. This statement shows trust in God in the face of their own powerlessness. If He is with them, they will tread down their adversaries, which is tantamount to God treading them down (cf. Rom 16:20a).