Psalms 60

Psalms 60:1-5

This psalm was penned when David was in the zenith of his prosperity, and the affairs of his kingdom seem to have been in a better posture than once they were either before or after. See 2 Sam. viii. 3, 13. 1 Chron. xviii. 3, 12. David in prosperity was as dreant as David in adversity. 1. He reflects upon the all state of the public interest: for many years, in which God had been contending with them, vii. 1—3. 2. He takes notice of the happy turn lately given to their affairs, vii. 4. 3. He prays for the deliverance of God’s friend from their enemies, vii. 6. 4. He triumphs in hope of their actions, over their enemies, and begs of God to carry them in, and complete them, vii. 6—12.

To the chief musician, upon Shufian-edioth, Michaelam of David, to teach which he strove with Aram-naharaim, and with Aram-zobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand.

1. O GOD thou hast cast us off, thou hast + scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again. 2. Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the branches thereof, for it shaketh. 3. Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. 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.

The occasion of this psalm was Joab’s victory over the Edomites, and the war against the Syrians of Mesopotamia and Zubah, who were the also subdued; and typically it reaches us, that all enemies of Christ, his church, and people, must finally fall, however long or obstinate the struggle. It is directed to the chief musician upon Shufian-edioth, probably the musical instrument for which it was set.

1. The despicable state of the Jewish affairs is described, during the ill administration of Saul, and the struggles of Iftibosheth, v. 1—3. God’s displeasure gave their enemies advantage, they were scattered, while breaches opened, the hard trembling under God’s correction; and they, as men, desperate and overwhelmed with astonishment, ready to give up all for lost. Probably this description looked forward also, as prophetical of that state, when, for their rejection of God’s anointed, his wrath should be kindled, more terrible convulsions destroy their whole polity and government, and, scattered into all lands, they should bear the marks of God’s heavy hand; an astonishment to others, a terror to themselves.

2. In the midst of their distresses, a banner is displayed, for the faithful Israelites in David, premiled to be their king and captain, and now exalted to the throne, under whom inflicted, union within prepared them for victory without: coloured by his presence, and bold under such a leader, they lifted up their hostile banners, defied and vanquished there foes, v. 4. Christ, the captain of our salvation, may also be here delighted; his banner of love spread abroad, invites poor sinners to his standard, under him inflicted, spiritual strength and courage animate their souls, and they go forth conquering and to conquer: and to him shall the dispersed of Israel be gathered at last, and turning to the Lord, for a period of their midrials. Note, (1.) The deeper our distresses, the more in the power and grace of our God magnified in our deliverance. (2.) We should ever remember the state in which Jesus found us, and the misery

7 Y from from which he drew us, as an engagement to be faithful, and fight manfully under his banners. 5. He prays earnestly for God’s help and healing. O turn thyself to us again, cease from thy displeasure, and visit us with thy salvation; heal the breaches, for thou alone earth heal them, and as the danger is imminent, it shakeh, let thy mercy be speedy to the land, that thy beloved, thy chosen people, may be delivered from the hands of all their enemies; for having no power of themselves, they look to thee, save with thy right hand, and hear me, their advocate. Note, (1.) Sir hath made a deadly breach in our souls, which nothing but the sovereign grace of God can repair. (2.) They who turn to God in prayer, may expect his return to them in mercy. (3.) They who fear God, are beloved by him, and his right hand will save them. (4.) Though our deliverance may be delayed, yet covenant mercies, confirmed by the truth of God, are sure mercies. Wait therefore, in patience of hope. 6. God hath spoken in his holiness, I will rejoice: I will divide Shochem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. 7. Gilead is mine, and Maraslich is mine, Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my law-giver. 8. Moab is my washton, over Edom will I call out my shoe: Philifta triumph thou ye because of me. 9. Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom: 10. Will not thou, O God, which hath call us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies? 11. Give us help from trouble; for vain is the help of man. 12. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he is is that shall tread down our enemies.

Psalms 60:6-12

David here appears triumphing in the Divine promises; God hath sworn, he believes, and in consequence rejokes. 1. All foes within and without shall yield to him. Israel in their several tribes that had joined Ithosabeth, shall return to him. Shochem and Succoth, places of Ephraim, the chief tribe shall own his sway, and the land of Gilead, the country beyond Jordan, obey him. The levies of Ephraim should strengthen his army, and Judah afford him wife and able magistrates, v. 6, 7. Conquest without would follow union withus, Moab be enslaved, Edom reduced to the meanest offices, and thoroughly subdued and possessed, Ruth iv. 7. and let Philifta triumph if the dares; or under his mild government the would be happy even in her captive state, v. 8. Note, (1.) When a believer can say, Christ is mine, then all other blessings of grace and glory necessarily follow. (2.) When God pleases, he can make our bitterest foes our warmest friends. (3.) National union is a great blessing from God. (4.) They who change the lawless state of sin, for the easy yoke of Christ, will have occasion for ever to bless the day when that happy change was effected. 2. He answers a difficulty which might be suggested from the strength of the enemy’s lotreities. Who will bring me into the strong city? either Rabbah, or more probably the capital of Ithomas; who will lead me into Edom? God is the strength of his confidence. Will not thou, O God, which hastest cast us off? yes, assuredly: now thou art returned in mercy, we shall be victorious; and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armer before, shall make us now more than conquerors. Therefore give us help as trouble, in answer to our fervent prayers; for vain is the help of man, we acknowledge it; and renouncing every human confidence, desire alone to repose ourselves on thee. And thus we are always confident, that through God our faith do valiantly, and put all our enemies under our feet, for he is is who shall tread down our enemies, in whom we depend, and to whom we will ascribe the praise of all our success. Note, (1.) Districts will often stand in the believer’s way, but faith will overcome them all. (2.) When to sense we seem as cast off, we must not quit our hold of the promise, but trust, and wait to see the salvation of God. (3.) When our dangers are greatest, our prayers and cries should be most earnest. (4.) The less we expect to receive from the creature, the farer we are to avoid disappointment. (5.) If we are enabled to do valiantly against our spiritual enemies, let us remember from whom cometh our strength, and lay at his feet the crown, which his own grace has obtained for us.