Psalms 60

Psalms 60:1-12

Prayer for Help against Foes Psalms 60:1-12 This was a national psalm to be taught the people. See title; also Deuteronomy 31:19. A strong coalition had been formed against David at that time. See 2 Samuel 10:6; 2 Samuel 10:8; 2 Samuel 10:17; 2 Samuel 10:19; 1 Chronicles 18:12-15. Israel was threatened with disaster. It was as if an earthquake had rent the soil.

But the king-psalmist argued that God had given His people a mission in the world, which could not be forfeited. First, Israel carried a banner for the truth, Psalms 60:4. In addition, God had “ spoken in His holiness” and had promised that the seed of Abraham should possess Canaan. Standing on a hill-summit, the psalmist sees the Land of Promise outspread before him. Shechem and Succoth, Psalms 60:6, one west, the other east, of the Jordan, indicate the breadth of the land. All had been given over to Israel by covenant, and therefore the surrounding peoples must become subject. As yet the strong city of Petra, rock-girded, Psalms 60:9, had laughed David to scorn; but he had confidence that God would lead him within its mighty walls, to tread down his adversaries, Numbers 24:18. Man could not, but God could. The question is never, Can God? but always, Can we trust and follow Him?

Save with thy right hand! This is a national Psalm to be taught to the people (Deuteronomy 31:19). Psalms 60:5-12 reappear in Psalms 108:1-13. As Psalms 13:1-6 was sung by the sons of Korah when the Edomites were taking advantage of David’s absence to invade the land, so this Psalm was composed after victory had been assured. Shushan-eduth means “the lily of testimony” and may refer to the name of the tune to which this Psalm was set. Aram stands for the Syrians. The Syrians which dwelt between the two floods, Euphrates and Tigris, had become confederate with the Syrians of Zobah (2 Samuel 10:6; 2 Samuel 10:8; 2 Samuel 10:16; 2 Samuel 10:19). For the whole story, see 2 Samuel 8:1-18.

The nation’s anguish (Psalms 60:1-4); the nation’s confidence in God’s word (Psalms 60:5-8); the nation’s prayer (Psalms 60:9-12).

Psalms 60:1. Thou hast been displeased These earlier verses have a plaintive tone, due to the great losses inflicted on the land by the Syrian invasion. Sometimes disasters fall so thick on the Church that it seems as if it were God-forsaken.

Psalms 60:4. Thou hast given a banner There is the more reason for claiming God’s help, because his people carry the banner of his truth. If it is trailed on the ground, great dishonor is due to his holy name.

Psalms 60:5. Thy beloved We are “beloved” indeed, if we are in the Beloved (Deuteronomy 33:12; Ephesians 1:6).

Psalms 60:6. I will divide and mete out This is an allusion to God’s promise that His people should possess Canaan (Genesis 12:7, etc.). And therefore the nation rejoices in its certain victory over its foes. When we have any promise of God, we may confidently depend upon it.

Shechem and Succoth are described as contiguous in Genesis 33:17-18. As it was promised in Jacob’s days, so should it be (Genesis 28:13-15; Genesis 35:11-12). The enemy should not succeed in wresting an inch from Israel.

Psalms 60:7. Gilead is Mine! Gilead, though lying across the Jordan, should not be dismembered. Manasseh and Ephraim, the martial tribes, and Judah, the seat of government, were welded into a strong united kingdom and should remain so. Psalms 60:8. Moab, Edom, Philistia The three hereditary foes of Israel had been reduced to subjection. Moab, a washing tub (2 Samuel 8:2); Edom, a slave taking care of sandals (Matthew 3:11), or the idea may be of the transference of authority (Rth 4:7); Philistia, compelled to welcome with shouts of triumph (Psalms 108:9).

Psalms 60:9. Who will lead me? The victor pants for new victories. The strong city is probably Petra, the famous capital of Edom, hewn in rock.

Psalms 60:11-12. Give us help! The cry for help and the assurance of deliverance go hand in hand. Here is a motto for us in all times of opposition and difficulty.