King James Version
Psalms 60
12 verses with commentary
O God, You Have Rejected Us
To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again. Michtam: or, A golden Psalm scattered: Heb. broken
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KJV Study Commentary
God's casting off and scattering His people seems contradictory to covenant promises, yet God's displeasure serves disciplinary purpose. The Hebrew 'parats' (scatter/break down) appears in judgment contexts but also anticipates gathering. 'O turn thyself to us again' appeals for covenant renewal, demonstrating that judgment on God's people differs from judgment on the wicked—it aims at restoration...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Hast scattered us.**—Literally, *hast broken us. *A word used of a wall or fence, Psalm 80:12, but in 2Samuel 5:20 applied to the rout of an army, an event which gave its name to the locality, “plain of breaches.” So in English:
“And seeing me, with a great voice he cried,
They are broken, they are broken.”—
TENNYSON: *Elaine.*
On the other hand, the two succeeding verses seem to refer to a ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
10. Their whole conduct is that of violence and fraud.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 60
Chapter Outline
David prays for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies.(1-5)
He entreats God to carry on and complete their victories.(6-12)
**Verses 1-5**
David owns God's displeasure to be the cause of all the hardships he had undergone. And when God is turning his hand in our favour, it is good to remember our former troubles. In God's displeasure their troubl...
Read full commentary →Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.
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KJV Study Commentary
The earthquake imagery ('made the earth to tremble... broken it') depicts national catastrophe. God's shaking of foundations reveals that earthly security is illusory. 'Heal the breaches' appeals for restoration, using language of wall repair, anticipating Nehemiah's work. This demonstrates that God both wounds and heals His people (Deuteronomy 32:39).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(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.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-12. But, &c.--**He contrasts his character and destiny with that of the wicked (compare Psa 26:1, 2).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 60
Chapter Outline
David prays for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies.(1-5)
He entreats God to carry on and complete their victories.(6-12)
**Verses 1-5**
David owns God's displeasure to be the cause of all the hardships he had undergone. And when God is turning his hand in our favour, it is good to remember our former troubles. In God's displeasure their troubl...
Read full commentary →Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
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KJV Study Commentary
God showing His people 'hard things' indicates trials that test and refine. The wine of trembling/staggering depicts judgment that intoxicates—removing stability and clarity. Yet this comes from God's hand ('thou hast made us to drink'), distinguishing discipline from punishment. Believers may experience disorienting trials under God's sovereign purpose for sanctification.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Hard things**—*i.e.*, a hard fate.
**Wine of astonishment.**—Literally, either *wine of reeling*—*i.e., *an intoxicating draught—or *wine as reeling*—*i.e.*, bewilderment like wine, or wine, which is not wine, but bewilderment, according as we take the construction.
In any case the figure is the same which meets us often in Hebrew poetry (comp. Psalm 75:8-9; Isaiah 51:17; Isaiah 51:22; Jerem...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11-12. But, &c.--**He contrasts his character and destiny with that of the wicked (compare Psa 26:1, 2).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 60
Chapter Outline
David prays for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies.(1-5)
He entreats God to carry on and complete their victories.(6-12)
**Verses 1-5**
David owns God's displeasure to be the cause of all the hardships he had undergone. And when God is turning his hand in our favour, it is good to remember our former troubles. In God's displeasure their troubl...
Read full commentary →Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.</strong> This verse marks a pivotal transition in Psalm 60 from lament over military defeat (v.1-3) to confidence in divine provision for ultimate victory. The historical superscription connects this psalm to David's conflicts with Aram (Syria) and Edom, when Israel faced threats on multi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Thou hast given.**—Amid the uncertainty attaching to this verse, one thing is certain, that the Authorised Version rendering of its second clause must be abandoned. Instead of *koshet *(truth), we must read with the LXX. and Symmachus *kesheth *(a bow). It is more than doubtful if the preposition rendered *because of *can have that meaning. Nor can the rendering of the verb, *that it may be ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 60
Chapter Outline
David prays for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies.(1-5)
He entreats God to carry on and complete their victories.(6-12)
**Verses 1-5**
David owns God's displeasure to be the cause of all the hardships he had undergone. And when God is turning his hand in our favour, it is good to remember our former troubles. In God's displeasure their troubl...
Read full commentary →That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.</strong> This verse shifts from corporate observation about God's banner (v.4) to personal and corporate prayer for deliverance. It expresses the purpose for which the banner is given and appeals to God's saving power to accomplish that purpose. The verse connects God's truth (v.4) with His people's need for delivera...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) From this verse onward the psalm appears again, with some variations noticed there, in Psalm 108:6-13.
(6, 7, 8) These three verses, forming the centre of the poem, are, plainly by their style, of different age and authorship from the beginning. Possibly, indeed, they formed an original poem by themselves, an ancient oracular saying descriptive of the relations of Israel to the tribes borderin...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
PSALM 27 Psa 27:1-14. With a general strain of confidence, hope, and joy, especially in God's worship, in the midst of dangers, the Psalmist introduces prayer for divine help and guidance.
**1. light--**is a common figure for comfort.
**strength--**or, "stronghold"--affording security against all violence. The interrogations give greater vividness to the negation implied.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 60
Chapter Outline
David prays for the deliverance of Israel from their enemies.(1-5)
He entreats God to carry on and complete their victories.(6-12)
**Verses 1-5**
David owns God's displeasure to be the cause of all the hardships he had undergone. And when God is turning his hand in our favour, it is good to remember our former troubles. In God's displeasure their troubl...
Read full commentary →God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
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KJV Study Commentary
The shift from lament to oracular confidence ('God hath spoken in his holiness') demonstrates answered prayer. God's speaking 'in his holiness' indicates revelation's certainty and purity. The promised division of Shechem and Succoth represents covenant inheritance being distributed, showing that God's promises transcend present defeat, grounding hope in divine decree.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **In his holiness . . .**—The LXX. and Vulg. have “in his sanctuary” which suits the utterance of an oracle.
**I will rejoice . . .**—Rather, *I will raise a shout of triumph.*
**I will divide Shechem . . .**—Rather, *I may divide,* &c, implying unquestioned right of ownership. Shechem and Succoth appear to be named as a rude indication of the whole breadth of the country, from west to east. T...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**2. eat ... my flesh--**(Job 19:22; Psa 14:4). The allusion to wild beasts illustrates their rapacity.
**they stumbled--**"they" is emphatic; not I, but they were destroyed.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-12**
If Christ be ours, all things, one way or another, shall be for our eternal good. The man who is a new creature in Christ, may rejoice in all the precious promises God has spoken in his holiness. His present privileges, and the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, are sure earnests of heavenly glory. David rejoices in conquering the neighbouring nations, which had been enemies...
Read full commentary →Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
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KJV Study Commentary
The declaration of possession over Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Judah indicates God's sovereignty over tribal territories. Ephraim as 'strength of mine head' (helmet) and Judah as 'lawgiver' (scepter) assign functional roles in the kingdom. This anticipates Christ's ultimate reign through Judah's lineage, demonstrating God's sovereign orchestration of tribal roles in redemptive history.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) Gilead and Manasseh on the east of Jordan, and Ephraim and Judah on the west, are employed to denote the whole dominion.
**Strength of mine head . . .**—*i.e., the helmet, *or possibly with reminiscence of the patriarchal blessing on Joseph, Deuteronomy 33:17.
**Lawgiver.**—In Hebrew a participle of verb meaning to *cut *or *engrave, *and is applied as here to the lawmaker (comp. Deuteronomy 3...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
3. In the greatest dangers.
**in this--**that is, then, in such extremity.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-12**
If Christ be ours, all things, one way or another, shall be for our eternal good. The man who is a new creature in Christ, may rejoice in all the precious promises God has spoken in his holiness. His present privileges, and the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, are sure earnests of heavenly glory. David rejoices in conquering the neighbouring nations, which had been enemies...
Read full commentary →Moab is my washpot ; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me. triumph: or, triumph thou over me: (by an irony)
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KJV Study Commentary
The treatment of Moab, Edom, and Philistia as subjugated servants demonstrates God's sovereignty over enemy nations. Moab as 'washpot' (basin for washing feet) and Edom as recipient of a cast shoe both indicate servile degradation. 'Over Philistia will I triumph' proclaims certain victory. This fulfilled historical prophecy but also anticipates ultimate subjugation of all Christ's enemies (1 Corin...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Moab is my washpot**—*i.e., *probably the *footbath, *a figure expressing great contempt, which receives illustration from the story told of Amasis (Herod. ii. 172) and the golden footpan, which he had broken to pieces and made into an image of one of the gods—from base use made divine—as allegorical of his own transformation from a private person to a king. Others explain, from analogy of A...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4-5. The secret of his confidence is his delight in communion with God (Psa 16:11; 23:6), beholding the harmony of His perfections, and seeking His favor in His temple or palace; a term applicable to the tabernacle (compare Psa 5:7). There he is safe (Psa 31:21; 61:5). The figure is changed in the last clause, but the sentiment is the same.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-12**
If Christ be ours, all things, one way or another, shall be for our eternal good. The man who is a new creature in Christ, may rejoice in all the precious promises God has spoken in his holiness. His present privileges, and the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, are sure earnests of heavenly glory. David rejoices in conquering the neighbouring nations, which had been enemies...
Read full commentary →Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? strong: Heb. city of strength?
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KJV Study Commentary
The rhetorical questions about Edom's 'strong city' reveal David's need for divine enablement in conquest. Acknowledging that God alone can bring him into the fortified city demonstrates dependence. This principle that human effort requires divine empowerment anticipates Jesus's teaching: 'Without me ye can do nothing' (John 15:5).
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **Who will . . .**—*i.e., *how can this ancient Divine oracle be fulfilled now in present circumstances? This is the poet’s question. He may be a king himself eager for triumph, or more probably Israel personified. (See the plural in Psalm 60:10-12.) Edom is the particular foe in view, and as the difficulties of the undertaking present themselves, misgivings arise and the assurance gained from...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
4-5. The secret of his confidence is his delight in communion with God (Psa 16:11; 23:6), beholding the harmony of His perfections, and seeking His favor in His temple or palace; a term applicable to the tabernacle (compare Psa 5:7). There he is safe (Psa 31:21; 61:5). The figure is changed in the last clause, but the sentiment is the same.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-12**
If Christ be ours, all things, one way or another, shall be for our eternal good. The man who is a new creature in Christ, may rejoice in all the precious promises God has spoken in his holiness. His present privileges, and the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, are sure earnests of heavenly glory. David rejoices in conquering the neighbouring nations, which had been enemies...
Read full commentary →Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?
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KJV Study Commentary
The question 'hast not thou cast us off?' circles back to verse 1, but now positioned between God's promises (vv. 6-8) and appeal for help. This demonstrates that believers can simultaneously affirm God's election and question present circumstances. The tension between 'cast us off' and 'go out with our armies' reflects the mystery of divine sovereignty including temporary setbacks.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**6. head be lifted up--**I shall be placed beyond the reach of my enemies. Hence he avows his purpose of rendering joyful thank offerings.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-12**
If Christ be ours, all things, one way or another, shall be for our eternal good. The man who is a new creature in Christ, may rejoice in all the precious promises God has spoken in his holiness. His present privileges, and the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, are sure earnests of heavenly glory. David rejoices in conquering the neighbouring nations, which had been enemies...
Read full commentary →Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. help of man: Heb. salvation, etc
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.</strong> This urgent petition acknowledges both human need and human limitation. After God's oracle declaring He will divide territories and possess nations (v.6-8), David returns to immediate need for divine intervention. The verse expresses realistic assessment of human resources and urgent appeal for divine assistance.<br><br>"Give...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7. Still pressing need extorts prayer for help.
**cry with my voice--**denotes earnestness. Other things equal, Christians in earnest pray audibly, even in secret.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-12**
If Christ be ours, all things, one way or another, shall be for our eternal good. The man who is a new creature in Christ, may rejoice in all the precious promises God has spoken in his holiness. His present privileges, and the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, are sure earnests of heavenly glory. David rejoices in conquering the neighbouring nations, which had been enemies...
Read full commentary →Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.</strong> This concluding verse expresses confident expectation of victory through divine empowerment. After acknowledging human help's vanity (v.11), David affirms that God's help ensures victorious action. The verse balances human agency ("we shall do valiantly") with divine causation ("he it is that shall ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8. The meaning is clear, though the construction in a literal translation is obscure. The English Version supplies the implied clause. To seek God's face is to seek His favor (Psa 105:4).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-12**
If Christ be ours, all things, one way or another, shall be for our eternal good. The man who is a new creature in Christ, may rejoice in all the precious promises God has spoken in his holiness. His present privileges, and the sanctifying influences of the Spirit, are sure earnests of heavenly glory. David rejoices in conquering the neighbouring nations, which had been enemies...
Read full commentary →