Remix – A new version of a recording made by recombining and re-editing the elements of the existing recording and often adding material such as new vocals or instrumental tracks (thefreedictionary.com).
Reprise – a repeated passage in music (Oxford dictionary).
Greatest Hits – An album, sometimes called a best of album or a catalog album, that is a compilation of songs by a particular artist or band. Most often the track list contains previously released recordings with a high degree of notability (definitions.net).
Remix, reprise and greatest hits all have a common theme – taking something that was great or successful on its own, using it again and/or trying to make it better. Our scripture for today, Psalm 108, could be described as a remix, reprise or even a greatest hit. This Psalm is made up of un-edited verses taken from two other Psalms – verses 1-5 are from Psalm 57:7-11, and verses 6-13 are from Psalm 60:5-12.
Both Psalms 57 and 60 are Psalms of lament, or Psalms that express deep sorrow for the painful experiences of God’s nation and cry out to God for his intervention/blessing. Because the lament portion of these Psalms did not carryover, Psalm 108 essentially turned into a Psalm of victory where David 1) offers praise to God, 2) asks for God’s help, and 3) conveys his expectation of deliverance.
- David’ personal exaltation of God
I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, higher than the heavens;
your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
let your glory be over all the earth (Psalm 108:3-5).
- David’s request for help
Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered (Psalm 108:6).
- David’s expression of confidence in God’s ability to deliver
Give us aid against the enemy,
for human help is worthless.
With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies (Psalm 108:12-13).
David’s formula was simple. Without God, he could do nothing. But with God, anything was possible. Do you have confidence in God’s ability to deliver you from your enemies? From your distress? From your pain?
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened (Matthew 7:7-8).