Psalms 60:4 - Exposition

Thou hast given a tanner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. So most commentators. But the ancient rendering, recently revived by Professor Cheyne, is perhaps preferable. According to this, the meaning is, "Thou hast indeed given a banner to them that fear thee (see Exodus 17:15 ), but only that they may flee before the bow" ( τοῦ φυγεῖν ἀπὸ προσώπου τόξων , LXX .). On the last occasion that the banner had been lifted, it had seemed to be, not so much a rallying point, as a signal for dispersion.