Psalms 60-62

Thoughts

Psalm 60

 He Will Tread Down Our Foes. To the choirmaster: according to Shushan Eduth. A Miktam of David; for instruction; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and when Joab on his return struck down twelve thousand of Edom in the Valley of Salt.

• From https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-60/   The historical markers against Mesopotamia and Syria of Zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt place it sometime in the earlier part of King David’s reign, when he subjected neighboring nations. 2 Samuel 8:1-8 records David’s victories over Philistia, Moab, and Syria. 2 Samuel 10:1-19 tells of David’s victories over Ammon and Syria. 1 Chronicles 18:11-13 gives us David’s victories over Edom (and specifically in the Valley of Salt), Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek.

O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses;
you have been angry; oh, restore us.
You have made the land to quake; you have torn it open;
repair its breaches, for it totters.
You have made your people see hard things;
you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger.

• Israel’s military defeat feels like rejection
• The “wine” metaphor shows disorientation. 
• Restoration begins by acknowledging God as the one who must heal.

You have set up a banner for those who fear you,
that they may flee to it from the bow. Selah
That your beloved ones may be delivered,
give salvation by your right hand and answer us!

• A “banner” (נֵס, nēs) is a rally point. God provides a place of gathering/
• God’s people are called “beloved ones”

God has spoken in his holiness:
“With exultation I will divide up Shechem
and portion out the Vale of Succoth.
Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet;
Judah is my scepter.
Moab is my washbasin;
upon Edom I cast my shoe;
over Philistia I shout in triumph.”

• God Himself speaks, using David as a prophet. 
• He is reminding Israel that the land is His possession, not theirs by right.
• God still rules all of the nations.

Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
Have you not rejected us, O God?
You do not go forth, O God, with our armies.
Oh, grant us help against the foe,
for vain is the salvation of man!

• David acknowledges that victory requires God

With God we shall do valiantly;
it is he who will tread down our foes.

• Final confidence is grounded in God, not military skill.
• Victory belongs to Him.

Psalm 61

 Lead Me to the Rock. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Of David.

Hear my cry, O God,
listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you
when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the enemy.

• David cries out to God when he is sad or discouraged
• “Lead me to the rock” implies David cannot reach stability on his own.

Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah
For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage
of those who fear your name.

• “Dwell in your tent” shows longing for God’s presence just like life in the tabernacle.
• The “heritage” is the covenant blessing 
• David desires nearness, not just rescue 

Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

• “Enthroned forever” reflects the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7).

So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.

• Praise is David’s response

Psalm 62

My Soul Waits for God Alone. To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

• Jeduthun was the musician appointed by David in 1 Chronicles 16

For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

• God is named as rock, salvation, and fortress 
• The emphasis on “alone” (אַךְ, akh) 

How long will all of you attack a man
to batter him,
like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?
They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.
They take pleasure in falsehood.
They bless with their mouths,
but inwardly they curse. Selah

• His enemies aim to knock him down
• They delight in falsehood 
• “Bless… curse inwardly” exposes double-faced people

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

• God is our ultimate protection

Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah

• full honesty before God.
• God’s refuge is for all that trust Him

Those of low estate are but a breath;
those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
they are together lighter than a breath.
Put no trust in extortion;
set no vain hopes on robbery;
if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

• People’s value is nothing compared to God’s. It offers no real security.

Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work.

• “Once… twice” = similar to Job 33:14. Gives emphasis
• Power (עֹז, oz) and steadfast love (חֶסֶד, ḥesed) both belong exclusively to God.

Questions

Application

Psalm 60 is for when life feels unstable or “quaking”. God will bring deliverance for His people. Psalm 61 is for when you feel overwhelmed like David. God not only wants to rescue you but also bring you into His presence. Psalm 62 gives us a beautiful example of pouring out our heart to God. Nothing on this earth will ever fully secure us, only God can hold us steady.