Psalms 108:2
Awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Psalms 69:30I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.Psalms 81:2Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.Psalms 57:8Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.Psalms 33:2Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.Psalms 103:22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.Judges 5:12Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.
Historical Context
Psalm 108 is a composite, combining Psalm 57:7-11 (confidence amid enemies) and Psalm 60:5-12 (prayer for victory). David likely compiled it for specific liturgical use, possibly before battle. The 'awake early' suggests pre-dawn military preparation.
Questions for Reflection
- What would it look like to 'awaken the dawn' with worship—to make God your first thought, not an afterthought?
- How does the urgency in David's 'Awake!' challenge casual approaches to worship?
- What 'instruments' (gifts, time, energy) lie dormant in your life that God is calling you to 'awaken' for His glory?
Analysis & Commentary
Awake, psaltery and harp (עוּרָה הַנֵּבֶל וְכִנּוֹר, urah hanevel vekinnor)—David personifies his instruments, commanding them to 'wake up.' Urah (awake!) is urgent summons. The nevel (psaltery, a larger stringed instrument) and kinnor (lyre) were David's worship tools.
I myself will awake early (אָעִירָה שָּׁחַר, a'irah shakhar)—literally 'I will awaken the dawn.' David vows to wake before sunrise to praise God. Shakhar (dawn) is personified like the instruments. The meaning: David's worship will be so early, so eager, that he'll wake the dawn itself rather than the dawn waking him.
This verse captures passionate priority in worship. David doesn't fit God into his schedule—he reorders his entire day around praise. The New Testament pattern continues: Jesus rose 'a great while before day' to pray (Mark 1:35), modeling worship as first priority, not afterthought.