Bible Commentaries
Psalms 60

Verses 1-12

Psalms 60

Victory With God’s Presence

Scripture v. 1-12:

Verses 1, 2 plead with God who had cast them off, scattered His people, made a breach in them (all Israel), Psalms 43:2; Psalms 33:9. See also Judges 21:15; Job 16:14. He asked that God turn (favorably) to them, in mercy and compassion again; He added that the Lord had caused the earth to tremble, had broken it, referring to Israel’s political convulsion or upheaval. He appealed further "Heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh."

Verse 3 confesses "Thou hast showed thy self hard things, made us to drink the wine of astonishment." He had sent judgments, upon them that made them as stupefied and inebriated as wine intoxicates the brain, Jeremiah 13:12-13; 1 Kings 22:27. The terms "bread of affliction and water of affliction" refer to a state of helpless misery and humiliation, Psalms 75:8; Isaiah 51:17; Isaiah 51:22; See also Psalms 71:20; Jeremiah 25:15.

Verse 4 witnesses "thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth," adding, "Selah," meaning find nourishment in this truth! Psalms 19:9; Psalms 20:5; Romans 15:8. So long as the soldiers see their banner (flag) held high they rally round its cause with confidence. But when it is prostrate their hopes fade and their countenance falls. The banner is a pledge safety and rallying point to all who fight under it, 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Ephesians 6:11-18. Fight on soldiers of truth! Fight on, holding the banner high! Matthew 24:35, O soldiers of the cross!

Verse 5 adds "that thy beloved (Israel) may be delivered, save with thy right hand," (thy hand of power) and hear me," Deuteronomy 7:7, e; Psalms 108:6; Matthew 3:17; Matthew 17:5.

Verse 6 asserts that "God has spoken in His holiness," that His people should possess Cannan, Genesis 49; Deuteronomy 33:17-18; And vanquish, drive out, or subdue their foes, Numbers 24:17-19; Numbers 23:19. David resolved to rejoice in His promises, to divide or parcel out the land of Shechem, and Succoth, Genesis 12:16.

Verse 7 adds that God has claimed Gilead and Manasseh as His possession, and as the strength of His head, with Judah as His lawgiver, as recounted Deuteronomy 33:17; Genesis 49:10, in a definitive manner.

Verse 8 continues "Moab is my washpot," 2 Samuel 8:2. His servant "over Edom" (Esau’s land) "will I cast out my shoe," the Lord God added, 2 Samuel 8:14; Psalms 108:9. Then He called "Philistia triumph thou because of me," because your fall out for your good, through Israel’s God; rejoice in it; 2 Samuel 8:1. As Moab was to become God’s washtub servant and Edom was to have God’s shoe cast out to her, as the servant washed the master’s feet, so the slave was to clean his sandals, Matthew 3:11; Acts 13:25.

Verses 9, 10 Inquire just who will bring Israel into the strong city, the stronghold city, of strength, 2 Samuel 11:1, the city of Petra in Edom? David adds that the sustaining God did not leave when the armies went out, when God cast Israel off. David asks, "wilt not thou, O God?" He will, Psalms 31:21. Petra is yet a retreat for the people of God, Revelation 12:14.

Verse 11 entreats "Give us help from trouble for vain (empty) deceptive, disappointing is the help of man," apart from God, Psalms 118:8; Psalms 146:3.

Verse 12 rejoices "through God we shall do valiantly," as an army in triumph, Numbers 24:18; 1 Corinthians 15:56-58; Romans 8:37. "For He (God) shall tread down our enemies," even to our last one, Hebrews 2:14-15; Revelation 1:18; Romans 8:11.