60:1ffThis psalm gives us information about David's reign not found in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel or 1 and 2 Chronicles. Although the setting of the psalm is found in 2 Samuel 8, that passage makes no reference to the fact that David’s forces had met Stiff resistance (60:1-3) and apparently even a temporary defeat (60:9, 10). The closer we get to God, the more our enemies will attack us because we threaten their evit and selfish way of living.
Life Application Study BiblePsalmsChapter 60
Psalm 60
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original page: 906
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60Psalm 60
1Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and killed 12,000 Edomites in theValley of Salt. To be sung to the tune “Lily of the Testimony.”You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses.You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor.
2You have shaken our land and split it open.Seal the cracks, for the land trembles.
3You have been very hard on us,making us drink wine that sent us reeling.
4But you have raised a banner for those who fear you—a rallying point in the face of attack.
5Now rescue your beloved people.Answer and save us by your power.
6God has promised this by his holiness*:“T will divide up Shechem with joy.I will measure out the valley of Succoth.
7Gilead is mine,and Manasseh, too.Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors,and Judah, my scepter, will produce my kings.
8But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant,and I will wipe my feet on Edomand shout in triumph over Philistia.”
9Who will bring me into the fortified city?Who will bring me victory over Edom?
10Have you rejected us, O God?Will you no longer march with our armies?
11Oh, please help us against our enemies,for all human help is useless.
12With God’s help we will do mighty things,for he will trample down our foes.Theme: Prayer for security and assurance. Wherever we are, we can trust that God willbe there to answer our cries for help.
Textual footnotes
- 60:6 Or in his sanctuary.
Life Application Notes 4 notes
60:3Instead of the wine of blessing, God had given them the cup of his judgment. God's rejection was intended to bring them back to himself.
60:6-10God said the cities and territories of Israel were his, and he knew the future of each of the nations. When the world seems out of control, we must remind ourselves that God owns the cities and knows the future of every nation. God is in control. With God’s help, we will gain the victory.
60:8David mentioned the enemy nations that surrounded Israel: Moab lay directly to the east, Edom to the south, and Philistia to the west. At the time this psalm was written, David was fighting Aram to the north. Although he was surrounded by enemies, David remembered that God had promised triumph over those nations. He knew that Israel’s future was closely tied to God's reputation of keeping his promises.