Psalms 60

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

1 ^[a][b][c][d]You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us; you have been angry—now restore us!

2 You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking.

3 You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger.

4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow.^[e]

5 Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

6 God has spoken from his sanctuary: “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.

7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah is my scepter.

8 Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

9 Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

10 Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?

11 Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless.

12 With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Psalms 60 Commentary

Chapter 60

David prays for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies. (1-5) He entreats God to carry on and complete their victories. (6-12)

Verses 1-5 David owns God's displeasure to be the cause of all the hardships he had undergone. And when God is turning his hand in our favour, it is good to remember our former troubles. In God's displeasure their troubles began, therefore in his favour their prosperity must begin. Those breaches and divisions which the folly and corruption of man make, nothing but the wisdom and grace of God can repair, by pouring out a spirit of love and peace, by which only a kingdom is saved from ruin. The anger of God against sin, is the only cause of all misery, private or public, that has been, is, or shall be. In all these cases there is no remedy, but by returning to the Lord with repentance, faith, and prayer; beseeching him to return to us. Christ, the Son of David, is given for a banner to those that fear God; in him they are gathered together in one, and take courage. In his name and strength they wage war with the powers of darkness.

Verses 6-12 If Christ be ours, all things, one way or another, shall be for our eternal good. The man who is a new creature in Christ, may rejoice in all the precious promises God has spoken in his holiness. His present privileges, and the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, are sure earnests of heavenly glory. David rejoices in conquering the neighbouring nations, which had been enemies to Israel. The Israel of God are through Christ more than conquerors. Though sometimes they think that the Lord has cast them off, yet he will bring them into the strong city at last. Faith in the promise will assure us that it is our Father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom: But we are not yet made complete conquerors, and no true believer will abuse these truths to indulge sloth, or vain confidence. Hope in God is the best principle of true courage, for what need those fear who have God on their side? All our victories are from him, and while those who willingly submit to our anointed King shall share his glories, all his foes shall be put under his feet.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Samuel 5:20; Psalms 44:9
• 2. Psalms 79:5
• 3. Psalms 80:3
• 4. Psalms 18:7
• 5. S 2 Chronicles 7:14
• 6. Psalms 71:20
• 7. Psalms 75:8; Isaiah 29:9; Isaiah 51:17; Isaiah 63:6; Jeremiah 25:16; Zechariah 12:2; Revelation 14:10
• 8. Isaiah 5:26; Isaiah 11:10,12; Isaiah 18:3
• 9. S Job 40:14; Psalms 17:7; Psalms 108:6
• 10. S Deuteronomy 33:12; Psalms 127:2
• 11. S Genesis 12:6
• 12. S Genesis 33:17
• 13. Joshua 13:31
• 14. S Genesis 41:52
• 15. S Numbers 34:19; Deuteronomy 33:17
• 16. S Genesis 49:10
• 17. S 2 Samuel 8:1
• 18. S Joshua 7:12; Psalms 44:9; Psalms 108:11
• 19. Psalms 146:3; Proverbs 3:5
• 20. Numbers 24:18; S Job 40:12; Psalms 44:5

Footnotes

• [a]. In Hebrew texts 60:1-12 is numbered 60:3-14.
• [b]. Title: Probably a literary or musical term
• [c]. Title: That is, Arameans of Northwest Mesopotamia
• [d]. Title: That is, Arameans of central Syria
• [e]. The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

Chapter Summary