God Will Triumph

Psalm 108: 7-9

God has spoken in His sanctuary: “I will triumph! I will divide up Shechem. I will apportion the Valley of Succoth. Gilead is Mine. Mannaseh is Mine and Ephraim is My helmet; Judah is My scepter. Moab is My wash basin; on Edom I throw My sandal. Over Philistia I shout in Triumph.”

To understand exactly what God is saying here, we need to understand the Hebrew meaning of these cities and what significance they held. While it is obvious God is proclaiming victory, just what does such victory look like, and what can we expect when God shouts in triumph?

Shechem means, “ridge; the neck (place of burdens). It can also be seen as “between the shoulders.” We see the implication of someone carrying a large burden. The Message Bible states, “I will make a present of your burdens.” Effectively, God’s promise here is to make what we carry as a burden a gift to us. While it may seem difficult to carry at times, our burden will be a gift that opens doors and brings blessing to us. Hallelujah! Shechem was a main settlement in Samaria, where Jesus encountered the woman at the well. It is the only place of beauty in the region. Our burdens can become a place of beauty, where we encounter Jesus!

The Valley of Succoth is the place where Jacob went after his encounter with Esau at Padan-Aram and settled for a while. Succoth means “booths,” which is what Jacob built to house his cattle. Booths could also mean “hut or lair.” We see the implication of temporary dwelling places. God promises to give the Valley of Succoth as a gift. He will measure or appoint them to us. God will give us shelter in the midst of our storms or trials.

Gilead comes from a word meaning, “heap of testimony.” Gilead is a mountainous region east of the Jordan River where Gad, Reuben, and the half-tribe of Manasseh settled. The Message Bible states, “Gilead is in my pocket,” or the hill of testimony is in my pocket. Granted, our testimonies belong to Him. He helps us overcome every mountain we must cross. Our testimonies are often hidden but waiting for us to experience or realize in retrospection.

Manasseh means “causing to forget.” Joseph named his first son Manasseh, indicating that God had blessed him so much, He caused him to forget all the pain he had experienced in slavery while in Egypt. God has a Manasseh for the trials He calls us to endure. Hallelujah!

Ephraim was Joseph’s second son. The name means, “double fruit.” God proclaims that double fruit is His helmet. God blesses us with double fruit as a shield against the enemy’s attack to our head, which may be attacks on our thoughts or attacks to our authority.

Judah means, “praise.” Praise is God’s scepter or His hammer. He uses praise to crush the enemy.

Moab means, “incest or from her mother’s father.” The Message Bible illustrates that God will mop the floor with Moab. Edom, which means, “red or ruddy,” is an example of the craving of the flesh over what is sacred. God will throw His sandal on Edom or spit on it, according to the Message Bible.

Philistia means, “rolling; migratory.” It gives the implication of rolling in the dust or wallowing in self. God brings us out of the grip of Philistia and shouts in triumph over us.

 When God is on your side, you will triumph in victory! There is no burden you can’t carry that will not ultimately bless you and no mountain you cannot overcome. God will make you forget the pain of your past and give you double fruit in your land of promise. He will give you a testimony of His glory and mop the floor with your past. He will triumph in your life, and you will see His victory!

Have a blessed day!