Psalm 108 · a question people ask
Was Psalm 108 made from Psalms 57 and 60, or were they made from it?
The Psalms don't say, and these notes don't guess. What the text does show is the titles. Psalm 57's names a time: "when he fled from Saul, in the cave" (Psalm 57:1). Psalm 60's names another: "when he fought with Aram Naharaim and with Aram Zobah" (Psalm 60:1). Psalm 108's names none: "A Song. A Psalm by David" (Psalm 108:1). The WEB words the shared lines differently in places, and a few of the differences are in the Hebrew too; the chapters on Psalms 57 and 60 set them out, and the chapter on Psalm 57 asks why the lines are there twice. The text gives no order and no reason, so these notes read each psalm as it stands.
The verses
“For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A poem by David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, God, be merciful to me, for my soul takes refuge in you. Yes, in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, until disaster has passed.”
“For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A teaching poem by David, when he fought with Aram Naharaim and with Aram Zobah, and Joab returned, and killed twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt. God, you have rejected us. You have broken us down. You have been angry. Restore us, again.”
“A Song. A Psalm by David. My heart is steadfast, God. I will sing and I will make music with my soul.”