Psalm 60

Psalm 60 belongs to Book II of the Psalms (Psalms 42–72) and is the last poem in the collection of "Michtam" psalms attributed to David (Psalms 56–60); michtam designates a type of poem, though the meaning of the term is uncertain. Whereas Psalm 59 seeks deliverance from a personal crisis, this psalm is a prayer in the face of a defeat suffered by the whole nation. The superscription links the psalm to the time when David fought against Aram and Joab struck down twelve thousand men of Edom in the Valley of Salt.

Structure

• Verses 1–5 The psalmist laments that God has cast off His people and has shaken the land and split it apart. He confesses that God has given a banner to those who fear Him and asks God to save with His right hand.
• Verses 6–8 God's own words are quoted. He declares that He will divide Shechem and measure out the valley of Succoth, that Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Judah are His, and that He will rule over Moab, Edom, and Philistia.
• Verses 9–12 The psalmist asks who will lead him into the strong city and into Edom. He confesses that human help is worthless and resolves to act valiantly in reliance on God.

Key Verses

• Psalm 60:4 "Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee" — a confession that even in defeat God is the standard around which His people rally.
• Psalm 60:11 "Vain is the help of man" — the central confession of the psalm, which seeks God's help rather than human strength.
• Psalm 60:12 "Through God we shall do valiantly" — the lament closes in trust and confidence.

People and Places

• David and Joab: the king and the commander of his army, both named in the superscription.
• Shechem and Succoth: regions west and east of the Jordan, respectively; together they represent the whole of the Promised Land.
• Gilead: territory east of the Jordan.
• Manasseh, Ephraim, and Judah: tribes of Israel. Ephraim is likened to the "strength of mine head" (a helmet) and Judah to a "lawgiver," that is, a scepter (royal authority).
• Moab, Edom, and Philistia: neighboring peoples hostile to Israel.

Points for Reflection

• The figure of twelve thousand in the superscription differs from the figures given in 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18, which record the same war. Scholars are also divided over whether the superscription was originally part of the psalm.
• The expressions "Moab is my washpot" and "over Edom will I cast out my shoe" are commonly interpreted as images of reducing these peoples to servitude and taking possession of their land.
• Verses 5–12 reappear almost verbatim as the latter half of Psalm 108, whose first half overlaps with Psalm 57.
• The word Selah at the end of verse 4 is generally regarded as a musical term of uncertain meaning.
• The New Testament does not directly quote this psalm.