Psalm 108:10 kjv
Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
Psalm 108:10 nkjv
Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom?
Psalm 108:10 niv
Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?
Psalm 108:10 esv
Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?
Psalm 108:10 nlt
Who will bring me into the fortified city?
Who will bring me victory over Edom?
Psalm 108 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 60:9-10 | "Who will bring me into the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom? Have not you, O God, rejected us?" | Direct parallel; shared lament and query. |
| Num 24:18 | "Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed," | Prophecy of Israel's future dominion over Edom. |
| Obad 1:1-4 | "Behold, I will make you small among the nations... though you set your nest among the stars, thence will I bring you down," | Prophecy against Edom's pride and fall. |
| Isa 63:1-6 | "Who is this who comes from Edom... with stained garments from Bozrah, He who is glorious in His apparel?" | God's vengeful triumph over Edom. |
| Jer 49:7, 16 | "Concerning Edom... your terrible beauty has deceived you... no man shall dwell there, no human sojourn in her." | Divine judgment and desolation of Edom. |
| Ezek 25:12, 14 | "Thus says the Lord God, ‘Because Edom acted revengefully... I will lay My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel;'" | God's use of Israel for vengeance on Edom. |
| Exod 14:14 | "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." | God as the ultimate warrior for His people. |
| Deut 20:4 | "For the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory." | Assurance of God's presence in battle. |
| Josh 1:9 | "Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened... for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." | God's empowering presence for conquest. |
| Judg 4:14 | "The Lord has gone out before you." | God leads the way in battle. |
| 1 Sam 17:47 | "For the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hand." | Victory depends on the Lord, not human might. |
| 2 Chron 20:15 | "Do not be afraid or dismayed at this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's." | God's sovereignty over military conflicts. |
| Ps 20:7 | "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." | Reliance on God, not worldly strength. |
| Ps 33:16-17 | "The king is not saved by a mighty army... The war horse is a deceptive hope for victory." | Human might is insufficient for salvation or victory. |
| Ps 44:3 | "For not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm give them victory; but by Your right hand, and Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You favored them." | God alone grants territorial victory. |
| Ps 118:6 | "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" | Fearlessness through God's support. |
| Prov 21:31 | "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord." | Preparation is good, but victory is divine. |
| Rom 8:31 | "If God is for us, who can be against us?" | Assurance of overcoming opposition with God. |
| Phil 4:13 | "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." | Spiritual empowerment for challenges. |
| Heb 13:6 | "So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'" | Boldness through divine assistance. |
| Eph 6:10 | "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might." | Exhortation to rely on God's strength. |
| Zech 4:6 | "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." | Divine power (Spirit) as the source of success. |
| 2 Sam 8:13-14 | "And David made a name for himself when he returned from striking down 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He put garrisons in Edom;" | Historical fulfillment of conquering Edom by God's help through David. |
Psalm 108 verses
Psalm 108 10 Meaning
Psalm 108:10 is a rhetorical question that expresses a profound sense of human limitation and complete dependence on God for victory against insurmountable challenges. The Psalmist, representing Israel, acknowledges that no human power can conquer the highly formidable "fortified city" or overcome the enduring enemy, "Edom," without divine intervention. It is an urgent appeal for God's presence and action in battle, implicitly stating that only God can deliver them and grant success in what appears to be an impossible task.
Psalm 108 10 Context
Psalm 108 is a composite Psalm, artfully woven from elements of Psalm 57:7-11 (a song of praise and deliverance) and Psalm 60:5-12 (a national lament and prayer for victory). It represents Israel's firm declaration of faith and an earnest plea for divine assistance in overcoming significant national adversaries. Historically, this section (specifically borrowed from Ps 60) points to a time of national military crisis or preparation for such a crisis. The original historical context of Psalm 60's inscription explicitly mentions David's military campaigns against Aram-Naharaim and Zobah, followed by Joab's decisive victory over Edom in the Valley of Salt (2 Sam 8:13; 1 Chron 18:12). Edom was a long-standing, powerful rival located southeast of Israel, notorious for its mountainous fortresses, making conquest a formidable task. Thus, "the fortified city" likely refers to Edom's capital, Sela (Petra), known for its nearly impenetrable defenses. The verse expresses the utter human inability to achieve victory without God leading the way.
Psalm 108 10 Word analysis
Who (מִי - mi): This interrogative pronoun introduces a rhetorical question. It's not a search for an individual person, but an implied admission of human inadequacy, pointing towards the necessity of divine intervention. It conveys the idea that no one within human capability can achieve this.
will bring me (יֹבִלֵנִי - yovileni): From the root yaval (יָבַל), meaning "to bring, to lead, to carry." It signifies the act of conducting or leading someone to a specific destination. The suffix "me" (-eni) can represent the Psalmist or, more broadly, the nation of Israel. It emphasizes the need for guidance and divine conveyance to the goal.
to the fortified city (אֶל עִיר מִבְצָר - el ir mivtsar):
- el (אֶל): "to, towards," indicating direction.
- ir (עִיר): "city, town."
- mivtsar (מִבְצָר): "fortified place, fortress, stronghold." Derived from the verb bātsar (בצר), meaning "to cut off, fortify, make inaccessible." This word strongly conveys impregnability and resilience. It serves as a powerful symbol of any humanly impossible obstacle or adversary.
Who (מִי - mi): Again, the rhetorical "Who?", echoing the first half, reinforces the central message of human incapacity and God's exclusive ability.
will lead me (נָחַנִי - nachani): From the verb nachah (נָחָה), meaning "to lead, guide, conduct." This word suggests a more active, intimate, and perhaps divinely provided leadership, similar to a shepherd guiding his flock or God guiding Israel through the wilderness. It complements "bring," providing a fuller picture of necessary divine guidance.
to Edom? (עַד אֱדוֹם - ad Edom):
- ad (עַד): "to, until, as far as," denoting a destination.
- Edom (אֱדוֹם): A neighboring kingdom to Israel, historically founded by Esau. Edom was known for its geographical defensiveness, strongholds, and consistent animosity towards Israel. As a national entity, "Edom" became a symbolic representation of any deeply entrenched and hostile enemy that resists God's people.
Words-group analysis:
- "Who will bring me... Who will lead me...": The repeated rhetorical question highlights the psalmist's and Israel's desperate awareness of their human inability. It serves as an emphatic plea and declaration that the desired victory is beyond human reach and necessitates a supernatural hand. This repetition reinforces total dependence on God.
- "to the fortified city? ... to Edom?": These phrases identify the formidable challenge. "The fortified city" represents an impenetrable barrier, an obstacle that appears impossible to overcome by conventional means. "Edom" specifies a concrete, historical enemy known for its strength and stubborn opposition, often used metaphorically for any seemingly unconquerable foe of God's people. The pairing shows both a general type of obstacle and a specific archetype.
Psalm 108 10 Bonus section
The significance of "Edom" extends beyond a mere geographical entity. In biblical prophecy and thought, Edom often symbolizes entrenched wickedness, the perpetual adversary to God's covenant people, or those who display relentless hostility towards the Lord and His purposes (cf. Obadiah, Isa 63). Thus, conquering "Edom" in this Psalm takes on both a literal historical meaning (David's actual conquest) and a broader spiritual meaning of triumph over seemingly invincible forces of opposition. The rhetorical nature of the question emphasizes divine initiative: the query is not whether such a victory is possible, but rather who (implying only God) is capable of achieving it. The subsequent verses in Psalm 108 go on to declare confidence that God will act, providing the answer to the rhetorical question posed in verse 10.
Psalm 108 10 Commentary
Psalm 108:10 is a powerful expression of faith disguised as a lamentable question. It captures the realization that facing insurmountable obstacles—represented by "the fortified city" (an impregnable stronghold) and "Edom" (a long-standing, bitter adversary)—human strength is utterly insufficient. The double rhetorical "Who?" underlines this impotence, but it is not a cry of despair. Rather, it is an implicit, yet fervent, petition to the one true God, the only one capable of achieving such a victory. The Psalmist is essentially saying, "We cannot do this; only You, Lord, can bring us success." It underscores the fundamental biblical truth that ultimate victory and true deliverance are gifts from God, achieved not by human might or wisdom, but by His divine power and guidance. This verse transforms human helplessness into a profound statement of divine reliance, looking past the apparent impossibility to the limitless power of the Almighty. It serves as a reminder that when we are weakest and our challenges seem most formidable, it is precisely then that God is ready to demonstrate His strength, fulfilling His purposes and vindicating His people.