Christianity

Psalms 60Through God We Shall Do Valiantly

Summary

Psalm 60 is a national lament after a military setback. Its heading links it to David's wars with Aram and Joab's victory over Edom in the Valley of Salt. The people feel God has cast them off and shaken the land. God then speaks from his sanctuary, claiming Shechem, Gilead, Ephraim and Judah, and calling Moab his washpot. The psalm ends with the confession that human help is vain and through God they will act valiantly.

Key verse

“Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.”

Psalms 60:12

Themes

National Lament
Defeat and Hope
God's Claim on the Land
Divine Help

O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.

God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;

Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.

Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?

Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?

Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Text: King James Version (1611/1769), public domain.

Across traditions

Christianity
2 Samuel 8: David's Victories
2 Samuel 8 lists David's victories over Aram, Moab and Edom, including a victory in the Valley of Salt (8:13). The parallel in 1 Chronicles 18:12 credits that victory over Edom to Abishai, while the psalm heading names Joab.
Christianity
Psalm 108: Through God We Shall Do Valiantly
Psalm 108:6 to 13 repeats Psalm 60:5 to 12, joined to verses from Psalm 57.

Questions about Psalms 60

What does Moab is my washpot mean?

In Psalm 60:8 God speaks as a warrior returning home: Moab is the basin for washing his feet and Edom is where he throws his sandal, images of subjugation.

What does Shushan-eduth mean?

The heading's phrase means something like Lily of the testimony. It probably names a tune.