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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 60:1-5

The title gives us an account, 1. Of the general design of the psalm. It is Michtam?David's jewel, and it is to teach. The Levites must teach it to the people, and by it teach them both to trust in God and to triumph in him; we must, in it, teach ourselves and one another. In a day of public rejoicing we have need to be taught to direct our joy to God and to terminate it in him, to give none of that praise to the instruments of our deliverance which is due to him only, and to encourage our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 60:3

Thou hast showed thy people hard things ,.... As to have their city and temple burial, multitudes of them slain, and the rest carried captive, and put into the hands of cruel lords and hard masters, and made a proverb, a taunt, and a curse, in all places; and all this done to a people that were the Lord's by profession, who called themselves so, though now a "loammi", Hosea 1:9 ; and these were hard things to flesh and blood, yet no other than what they deserved; thou hast made us to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 60:3

Thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment - We reel as drunken men; we are giddy, like those who have drank too much wine; but our giddiness has been occasioned by the astonishment and dismay that have taken place in consequence of the prevalence of our enemies, and the unsettled state of the land. It has been remarked that the three first verses of this Psalm do not agree with the rest, and it also appears that the three first verses of Psalm 85:1-13 ; : do not agree with the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 60:3

Verse 3 3.Thou hast showed thy people hard things He says, first, that the nation had been dealt with severely, and then adds a figure which may additionally represent the grievousness of its calamities, speaking of it as drunk with the wine of stupor or astonishment. Even the Hebraist interpreters are not agreed among themselves as to the meaning of תרעלה, tarelah, which I have rendered astonishment. Several of them translate it poison. But it is evident that the Psalmist alludes to some kind... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 60:1-12

The psalm itself has every characteristic of the Davidic style—liveliness, rapid transitions, terse yet comprehensive language, strong metaphors, intense feeling, hopefulness. It belongs to the time when, after his first Syrian campaign ( 2 Samuel 8:3-8 ), David was engaged in a war with Edom of a most sanguinary character ( 2 Samuel 8:13 ; 1 Kings 11:15 , 1 Kings 11:16 ; 1 Chronicles 18:12 )—marked by striking vicissitudes, and at least one grievous defeat of the forces of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 60:1-12

Despondency and its antidote. There are heights and depths in the Divine life. We may pass quickly from the one to the other. When at the height of triumph we may be brought low. When in the depths of despondency we may be raised up. This psalm speaks of despondency. We see— I. HOPE RISING IN THE MIDST OF DESPONDENCY . ( Psalms 60:1-4 .) We are apt to fix our mind on our trials. They bulk large. They press us sorely. We dwell upon their grievousness. We shrink from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 60:1-12

Assurance in prayer. I. THE PRAYER OF THE REJECTED FOR RESTORATION . ( Psalms 60:1-5 .) The grounds of the prayer are: 1 . Their great need . Felt themselves as if cast off—the very earth trembling with their calamity. They had been reduced to the helplessness of one overcome with wine. 2 . The faithfulness of God to his promises was their banner . ( Psalms 60:4 .) They could pray because they carried this banner. 3 . They could hope and pray on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 60:3

Thou hast showed thy people hard things; literally, a hard thing, or harshness ; i . e . severity. Thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment; or, of trembling (as in Isaiah 51:17 , Isaiah 51:22 ); comp. Psalms 75:8 ; Jeremiah 25:15-17 : Jeremiah 49:12 ; Ezekiel 23:32-34 ; Zechariah 12:2 . The outpouring of Divine vengeance is represented under the figure of presenting a cup, which the doomed man is forced to drink. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 60:3

Thou hast showed thy people hard things - Thou hast caused them to see reverses, disappointments, and trials. This refers, according to the supposition in the Introduction to the psalm, to some calamitous events which had occurred. The probability seems to be that the Edomites may have spread desolation over the land.Thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment - The word rendered “astonishment” - תרעלה tar‛êlâh - occurs only here and in Isaiah 51:17, Isaiah 51:22 - in both of which... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 60:2-3

Psalms 60:2-3. Thou hast made the earth to tremble A poetical expression, signifying great and dreadful changes among the people. Heal the breaches thereof Reconcile all those differences which our civil wars have made among us. Thou hast showed thy people hard things Thou hast made us feel what it is to offend thee, by inflicting grievous punishments upon us; thou hast made us drink the wine of astonishment Thou hast fulfilled the words of thy servant Moses, Deuteronomy 28:34, for we... read more

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