Psalms 60

David having obtained victory of God against his enemies, doth here compare the former sad condition of the land, with the present happy change under his reign: and triumph for Gods assistance and promises, and praying for, and assuring himself of further fulfilling thereof against the rest of his enemies.

1. A Golden jewel of David, [See Psalm 16.v.1.] for instruction:] Heb. For to teach, i.e. to instruct the Church of God of the matters contained in this Psalm] for the chief song-master [See Psa.4.on v.1.] on Schuscha Eduth. [this is rendered by some the stringed-instrument of the testimony, understanding by the testimony, the Ark of the covenant wherein lay the tables of the law, called the testimony Exod.40.v.5.20. before which in the Priests Court this Psalm was to be sung; see further of the word Schuschan, Psa.45.on v.1.]

2. When he had fought with the Syrians of Mesopotamia, [Heb. With Aram (i.e. the Syrians) of the two rivers (i.e. Mesopotamia) see Gen.24.on v.10.] and with the Syrians of Zoba [see 2 Sam.8.on v.3.] and Joab [2 Sam.8.v.13. there we read, that David in the salt-valley slew 18000. And 1 Chron.18.12. the 12000. If this was not another defeat, these three places may be reconciled thus; that David (as King) slew so many Edomites there by his Lieutenants Generals, at sundry times (as in two or more encounters) that the total, number amounted to 18000. Whereof Joab had smitten 12000.] returned [from the Syrian war, turning back to the south-borders of Canaan, to fight against the Edomites that inhabited there. Then it was that David made this Psalm. Compare below v.11.12,13. Whereupon the victory ensued] and smote [Oth. Had smitten, conceive that David made this Psalm after the victory] the Edomites in the salt-valley twelve thousand sand.

3. O God thou hadst rejected us [This hath relation to the losses and desolations which Israel had suffered, both as the time when Saul and his sons, together with all the host were totally defeated by the Philistines, (see 1 Sam.31.6,7.) and afterward by the long continued war between the house of Saul and David, 2 Sam.3.1. as likewise the miseries of former times, which lighted very oft and thick upon the Israelites in the latter days of the Judges, Jud.13.1. and 15.11. 1 Sam.4.v.2,10,11. And 13.19.] thou hadst torn us, thou shalt turn again. This comfort David was able to draw from the victory which God had already given him against the Syrians, and likewise from the ground which is mentioned below v.8.]

4. Thou hast shaken the land, thou hadst split it [A similitude taken from the Earth-quake, which shaketh, rents and tears the Earth, and causeth much woe and misery. The sence is, thou hadst put all the land into a fearful confusion and alteration from what it was before. Compare Hag.2.6,7. With Heb.12.v.26.22. and Ezek.31.16.] heal its breaches, for it shaketh (or wavereth.)

5. Thou hast made thy people to see, [i.e. feel, find, thou hast brought it home to them, and touched them to the quick, see Job 7.on v.7.] a hard matter; [as there was among others, that the Ark of God was taken by the Philistines, Israel divers times routed and defeated, their King and whole army lost by a general overthrow, &c.] thou hast made us to drink of reeling (or giddy wine. [or wine of trembling, staggering, shaking, i.e. thou hast so followed and filled us with thy judgements, that we were as people berest and dispossest of all our sences, reason and apprehension, even as we see men that are overcome with strong wine, to stagger, reel and shake. See Isa.51.17,20,21,22. And compare Nah.2.3. where the word that hath some affinity to it, used of the shaking moving, or swinging the spears.]

6. (But now) [In this verse the prophet speaketh of the mercy of God shewed unto his people at this time] hast thou given a banner to them that fear thee, [by making me King over them, and vouchsasing us this victory and triumph over our Enemies. Compare Psa.20.5.] to throw up the same because of the Truth. [for to shew that thou art true in thy promises, whereof more in the sequel] Sela.

7. That thy beloved ones should be freed: [This verse and all the rest that follow unto the end of this Psalm are repeated, Psa.108.7, &c. See Likewise there] give salvation (through) the right hand [Compare Psa.20.5,6,7. And 21.2,3.] and hear us. [or me.]

8. God hath spoken in his Sanctuary, therefore will leap for joy [Where the Ark of the Covenant was, which David now had brought up to Zion, 2 Sam.6. it should seem he means to say, that when, as (before this war began) he did according to his wonted practised ask counsel of God, he then received a very favourable answer, from between the Cherubins, according to which having now obtained this glorious victory, he could not but heartily rejoice, and entertain the more hope and confidence of all the rest. Oth. Through, or, by his holiness, implying it to be a most true and assured word, as pronounced by the holy God himself] I shall divide Sichem, and meet out the valley of Succoth. [of Sichem and Succoth, see Gen.12.on v.6. and 33. On v.17. Jud.8.on v.5. as if he should have said that he was become absolute Lord and possessor of these and the following places, on both sides of Jordan.]

9. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine, and Ephraim is the strength of my head: [The main or principal strength of my Kingdom, or as mine horns. See Deut.33.17.] Juda is my Law-giver. [i.e. my royal residence. See Gen.47.on v.10.]

10. Moab is my wash-pot, [i.e. I shall so humble and subdue the Moabites and other Nations my Enemies, that I shall use and employ them for my meanst and contemptiblest offices. Compare 2 Sam.8.2. Heb. Pot of my washing] on Edom shall I throw my shoe [i.e. I shall subdue, possess, inherited and put them as it were under my feet. Compare Ruth 4.on v.7. and Jud.5.21.] shout over me, O thou Palestina! [This he speaketh ironically, or mockingly, to spite and requite the Philistines, who were wont to scosse and insult on the Israelites, letting them know now the case was altered, now his turn was come to shout and triumph over them, according as he declareth these words in the repetition Psa.108.10.]

11. Who shall lead me into a strong City? [Heb. City of strength. A kind of wishing whereby he makes known how hard and difficult a thing it was, for him to overcome and take such strong Cities, holding out against him; or (as some are opinion) especially the Metropolis of the Ammonites, the City of Rabba (whereof see 2 Sam.12.26,29, &c.] who shall lead me into Edom?

12. Shalt not thou be he O God (that) hadst rejected us? And didst not narch forth with us, with our Arthmies.

13. Give thou us help, out of the straight, [i.e. help whereby we may get out of our straight] for mans salvation [or deliverance, preservation] is vanity. [or lies, a lie, i.e. it deceives one, it comes too short, and is not able to perform, like a lie, or vanity, when men rely upon it in distress. Compare Psa.4.on v.3.]

14. In our God shall we do valiant acts, [Heb. Valour, courage] and he shall trample our Adversaries.