Psalms 108:12
Psalms 108:12 in Multiple Translations
Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.
Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
Give us help against the adversary; For vain is the help of man.
Give us help in our trouble; for there is no help in man.
Please give us help against our enemies, for human help is worthless.
Giue vs helpe against trouble: for vaine is the helpe of man.
Give to us help from adversity, And vain is the salvation of man.
Give us help against the enemy, for the help of man is vain.
Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
May there be none to help him: nor none to pity his fatherless offspring.
We need you to help us when we fight against our enemies, because the help that humans can give us is worthless.
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 108:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 108:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הֲ/לֹֽא
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
זְנַחְתָּ֑/נוּ
וְֽ/לֹא
תֵצֵ֥א
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים
בְּ/צִבְאֹתֵֽי/נוּ
הֲ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part | Part
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
זְנַחְתָּ֑/נוּ
zânach
H2186
to reject
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
וְֽ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
תֵצֵ֥א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
בְּ/צִבְאֹתֵֽי/נוּ
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
Prep | N-cp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 108:12
הֲ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
אֱלֹהִ֥ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
זְנַחְתָּ֑/נוּ
zânach
H2186
"to reject"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
To stink or be rejected is the meaning of this Hebrew word. It's used in the Bible to describe something that's disgusting or unwanted, like in the book of Psalm 38:5. The KJV translates it as 'cast away' or 'remove far away'.
Definition: 1) to cast off, reject, spurn 1a) (Qal) to reject 1b) (Hiphil) to forcefully reject someone
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: cast away (off), remove far away (off). See also: 1 Chronicles 28:9; Psalms 88:15; Psalms 43:2.
וְֽ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תֵצֵ֥א
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
אֱ֝לֹהִ֗ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
בְּ/צִבְאֹתֵֽי/נוּ
tsâbâʼ
H6635
"army"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
Study Notes — Psalms 108:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Israel’s Kingdom Blessing
10Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?
11Have You not rejected us, O God? Will You no longer march out, O God, with our armies?
12Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.
13With God we will perform with valor, and He will trample our enemies.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 17:5–8 | This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes the flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit. |
| 2 | Psalms 146:3–5 | Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save. When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, |
| 3 | Isaiah 31:3 | But the Egyptians are men, not God; their horses are flesh, not spirit. When the LORD stretches out His hand, the helper will stumble, and the one he helps will fall; both will perish together. |
| 4 | Lamentations 4:17 | All the while our eyes were failing as we looked in vain for help. We watched from our towers for a nation that could not save us. |
| 5 | Isaiah 30:3–5 | But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. For though their princes are at Zoan and their envoys have arrived in Hanes, everyone will be put to shame because of a people useless to them. They cannot be of help; they are good for nothing but shame and reproach.” |
| 6 | Psalms 20:1–9 | May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May He send you help from the sanctuary and sustain you from Zion. May He remember all your gifts and look favorably on your burnt offerings. Selah May He give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy at your victory and raise a banner in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your petitions. Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand. Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. O LORD, save the king. Answer us on the day we call. |
| 7 | Isaiah 2:22 | Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? |
| 8 | Job 16:2 | “I have heard many things like these; miserable comforters are you all. |
| 9 | Job 9:13 | God does not restrain His anger; the helpers of Rahab cower beneath Him. |
Psalms 108:12 Summary
The psalmist is asking God for help against their enemies because they know that human help is not enough. They recognize that only God can provide the protection and salvation they need. This means that we should also trust in God's power and not rely solely on human strength, just like it says in Psalms 20:7 and Jeremiah 17:5. By trusting in God, we can have confidence that He will help us overcome any challenge we face.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of aid is the psalmist asking for in Psalms 108:12?
The psalmist is asking for spiritual aid and protection from God against their enemies, recognizing that human help is insufficient, as seen in Psalms 60:11 and Isaiah 2:22.
Why does the psalmist say the help of man is worthless?
The psalmist says the help of man is worthless because it is limited and cannot provide the ultimate salvation and protection that only God can offer, as stated in Jeremiah 17:5 and Psalms 118:8-9.
How can we apply the message of Psalms 108:12 to our lives today?
We can apply the message of Psalms 108:12 by recognizing our own limitations and trusting in God's power and protection, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
Is the psalmist expressing a lack of faith in God's ability to help?
No, the psalmist is actually expressing a deep trust in God's ability to help, while recognizing the insufficiency of human aid, as seen in the contrast between Psalms 108:12 and Psalms 108:13, where the psalmist expresses confidence in God's power to overcome enemies.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am relying on human help instead of God's aid, and how can I shift my trust to Him?
- How have I experienced the limitations of human help in the past, and what did I learn from those experiences about God's sovereignty?
- What are some enemies or challenges I am facing right now, and how can I apply the message of Psalms 108:12 to those situations?
- In what ways can I practically trust in God's power and protection today, even when faced with overwhelming circumstances?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 108:12
[See comments on Psalms 60:11].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 108:12
Wilt not thou, O God, who hast cast us off? and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 108:12
12. from trouble] Or, as R.V., against the adversary. Cp. Psalms 108:13. for vain is the help of man] Lit. salvation. Cp. Psalms 108:6. It is a delusion (cp. Psalms 33:17) to look to human strength for victory. See Psalms 44:6-7; 1 Samuel 17:47; Jeremiah 17:5; and cp. Judges 7:4; Judges 7:7; 1 Samuel 14:6; 2 Chronicles 14:11; 1Ma 3:16 ff.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 108:12
Give us help from trouble ... - This is copied from Psalms 60:11.
Sermons on Psalms 108:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Testimony of a Fixed Heart by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the focus is on Psalm 108 and the situation described in it. The speaker highlights the fear and sense of abandonment expressed in the psalm, suggesting that it ref |
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The Prodigal Church by Ronald Glass | In this sermon, the preacher highlights the lack of appreciation for the majesty of God, the depth of our sin, and the urgency of spreading the gospel in today's society. He emphas |
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Psalm 108 by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches on the Psalmist's unwavering resolve to praise God incessantly, expressing confidence in God's mercy and truth that surpasses all boundaries. The Psalmist's hear |
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Our Lord and the Woman Who Had the Issue of Blood Mark 5:24-34 by R.A. Torrey | R.A. Torrey explores the profound encounter between Jesus and the woman with the issue of blood, emphasizing her desperate need for healing and the faith that drove her to touch Je |
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Esther #3 Ch. 5-7 by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Esther from the Bible. He highlights a scene where the king wants to reward Mordecai, but Haman, who wants to hang Mordecai, co |
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The Two Judaisms by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the materialistic mindset prevalent in America, where success is measured by wealth and possessions. He acknowledges the struggle of those wh |
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Jeremiah, the Persecuted Prophet by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for filmmaker Steven Spielberg to be stripped of his worldly success and brought into the wilderness of the nations. This wilderness |