In the battle with the Arameans, Israel’s enemy overcame her temporarily. David viewed this defeat as punishment from the Lord. He called out in prayer for national restoration. Since God had allowed the defeat, He was the One who could reverse it. read more
1. A cry for deliverance in battle 60:1-5 read more
Psalms 60The occasion for this national (communal) lament psalm was Israel’s victory over the Arameans and the Edomites (cf. 2 Samuel 8:13; 1 Kings 11:15-16; 1 Chronicles 18:12). Naharaim (lit. rivers) and Zobah were regions in Aram. In this battle, Joab was responsible for defeating 12,000 Edomites (2 Samuel 8:13). Joab’s brother Abishai was the field commander, and the writer of Chronicles gave him the credit for the victory (1 Chronicles 18:12).This is a didactic psalm according to the... read more
Title.—(RV) ’For the Chief Musician; set to Shushan Eduth: Michtam of David, to teach: when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the Valley of Salt twelve thousand.’Shushan-eduth (’the lily of the testimony’) denotes that this Ps. was set to the same melody as Psalms 45, 69, 80. For ’Michtam’.see Psalms 16. The historical occasion in the title is described in 2 Samuel 8:3-8, 2 Samuel 8:13-14; 1 Chronicles 18:3-8, 1 Chronicles 18:12-13, but in... read more
(2) Earth.—Rather, land; since, though the image is drawn from an earthquake, in which the solid ground trembles and buildings totter and fall (comp. Isaiah 30:13), the convulsion described is political, not physical. read more
Psalms 60:9 The Jesuit missionary, Valignani, as he looked towards the long-closed Empire of China on his way to Japan cried: 'O Rock, Rock, when wilt thou open? O mighty fortress, when shall these impenetrable gates of thine be broken through?' Permanent Elements of Religion read more
Psalms 60:1-12THIS psalm has evidently a definite historical background. Israel has been worsted in fight, but still continues its campaign against Edom. Meditating on God’s promises, the psalmist anticipates victory, which will cover defeat and perfect partial successes, and seeks to breathe his own spirit of confidence into the ranks of his countrymen. But the circumstances answering to those required by the psalm are hard to find. The date assigned by the superscription cannot be called... read more
Psalms 60:0 The Lord with His People 1. Confessions and prayer (Psalms 60:1-5 ) 2. The inheritance anticipated (Psalms 60:6-8 ) 3. Faith’s certainty (Psalms 60:9-12 ) This Psalm, “Shushan-Eduth” (the lily of testimony), also a Michtam of David, has for its beginning a confession of the godly in Israel. The Lord they acknowledge had scattered them and is angry with them. They pray for restoration. “That thy beloved may be delivered, save with Thy right hand and hear me.” Then He hears and... read more
60:2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast {d} broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.(d) As split with an earthquake. read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Psalms 60:2
Psalms 60:2. Thou hast made the earth to tremble— The land. By this figurative expression the Scripture frequently denotes extraordinary troubles and calamities: Compare Isaiah 23:13; Isaiah 29:6. And such were the dreadful commotions and miserable divisions among David's people. read more