For the music director; according to the shushan-eduth style; a prayer of David written to instruct others. It was written when he fought against Aram Naharaim and Aram-Zobah. That was when Joab turned back and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. 

 

David wrote this song for the music director of the Levitical Choir. It was to be sung to the “shushan-eduth style,” which was a popular tune of that day. This was a didactic song, meaning that it was used to teach others Biblical doctrine. David wrote this song when he was fighting against the Arameans. As David was fighting against the Arameans, the Edomites invaded Israel. This placed Israel in great danger, because they were facing enemies on two fronts.

 

60:1 O God, you have rejected us. You suddenly turned on us in your anger. Please restore us! 

 

God led Israel into battle, but allowed them to be defeated by their enemies.

 

60:2 You made the earth quake; you split it open. Repair its breaches, for it is ready to fall. 

 

God caused an earthquake to come against Israel.

 

60:3 You have made your people experience hard times; you have made us drink intoxicating wine. 

 

God made the army of Israel to experience some tough defeats in this war.

 

60:4 You have given your loyal followers a rallying flag, so that they might seek safety from the bow. (Selah) 

 

God called the army of Israel to retreat back to the rally flag so that the enemy arrows would not slay them. David asked the congregation to meditate and think about this Biblical concept.

 

60:5 Deliver by your power and answer me, so that the ones you love may be safe. 

 

David asked God to deliver his army from the enemy.

 

60:6 God has spoken in his sanctuary: “I will triumph! I will parcel out Shechem; the Valley of Succoth I will measure off.

 

God answered David’s prayer from the sanctuary. He informed David that He would give David victory over his enemies. Shechem and the Valley of Succoth both belonged to Jehovah, so He would not allow the enemy to take these cities.

 

60:7 Gilead belongs to me, as does Manasseh! Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my royal scepter. 

 

Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Judah also belonged to Jehovah. Judah is the city of His royal seed. He will not allow the enemy to take these tribal areas.

 

60:8 Moab is my washbasin. I will make Edom serve me. I will shout in triumph over Philistia.” 

 

God will wash His hands of the Moabites. The Edomites will be reduced to menial labor. The Philistines will be destroyed. David will defeat all of these enemies during his reign. 

 

60:9 Who will lead me into the fortified city? Who will bring me to Edom? 

 

David asked Jehovah three questions. First, who will lead David to attack the fortified city of the enemy? Second, who will bring David to Edom?

 

60:10 Have you not rejected us, O God? O God, you do not go into battle with our armies. 

 

Third, has God rejected Israel? David then made a statement. He claimed that God was not going into battle with Israel.

 

60:11 Give us help against the enemy, for any help men might offer is futile. 

 

David asked God to help Israel fight against the enemy. He knew that any kind of help from humans was futile.

 

60:12 By God’s power we will conquer; he will trample down our enemies.

 

David will trample his enemies, because the power of God is behind him.