Psalm 60

A plea of those cut off from the Lord
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Text
Explanation
Israel is defeated by the Edomites but ultimate victory is assured
.1 ¶ <<To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.>>
 O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.
  The long superscription gives us information about the purpose of the Psalm. "Aramnaharim" is Mesopotamia as the word sounds in Hebrew. Used in ge2410. "Aramzobah" has a similar origin. Both may have been kings of that area.
1 - Cast us off ... scattered A sad time for David who apparently lost a battle. Note that Joab, his general, "returned." Scattered is from a Hebrew word used for breaking through a battle line.
 2  Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.
.3  Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
  Thou hast The words are repeated eight times in verses 1 to 4 expressing the powerful defeat as the will of God.
.4  Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
.5  That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.
  4 - Given a banner The Lord would bring victory, apparently fulfilled at the hand of Joab.
  4,5 - Banner ... beloved This may have been inspiration for Solomon in writing his "song of songs" which we know as the Song of Solomon. See so0610 although with a different Hebrew word for banner, and so0510
.6 ¶ God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
.7  Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
.8  Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.
  6 - Shechem See on jos2401.
  7 - Judah ... lawgiver Actually law-applier. Judah was Israel's seat of government.
  8 - Washpot The Lord regarded Moab as a basin for washing feet. See the pot at je0113.
 9  Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
 10  Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?
  9 - Strong city This was probably Sela, Edom's capital, now remembered as Petra.
 11  Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
 12  Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
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