12 Through God we will do great things, for through him our haters will be crushed under our feet.
Edom will be his heritage, and he will put an end to the last of the people of Seir. And Israel will go on in strength, and Jacob will have rule over his haters.
God puts a strong band about me, guiding me in a straight way. He makes my feet like roes' feet, and puts me on high places. He makes my hands expert in war, so that a bow of brass is bent by my arms. You have given me the breastplate of your salvation: your right hand has been my support, and your mercy has made me great. You have made my steps wide under me, so that my feet are kept from slipping. I go after my haters and overtake them; not turning back till they are all overcome. I will give them wounds, so that they are not able to get up: they are stretched under my feet. For I have been armed by you with strength for the fight: you have made low under me those who come out against me. By you their backs are turned in flight, so that my haters are cut off. They were crying out, but there was no one to come to their help: even to the Lord, but he gave them no answer. Then they were crushed as small as dust before the wind; they were drained out like the waste of the streets.
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Commentary on Psalms 60 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 60
Ps 60:1-12. Shushan-eduth—Lily of testimony. The lily is an emblem of beauty (see on Ps 45:1, title). As a description of the Psalm, those terms combined may denote a beautiful poem, witnessing—that is, for God's faithfulness as evinced in the victories referred to in the history cited. Aram-naharaim—Syria of the two rivers, or Mesopotamia beyond the river (Euphrates) (2Sa 10:16). Aram-zobah—Syria of Zobah (2Sa 10:6), to whose king the king of the former was tributary. The war with Edom, by Joab and Abishai (2Ch 18:12, 25), occurred about the same time. Probably, while doubts and fears alternately prevailed respecting the issue of these wars, the writer composed this Psalm, in which he depicts, in the language of God's people, their sorrows under former disasters, offers prayer in present straits, and rejoices in confident hope of triumph by God's aid.
1-3. allude to disasters.
cast … off—in scorn (Ps 43:2; 44:9).
scattered—broken our strength (compare 2Sa 5:20).
Oh, turn thyself—or, "restore to us" (prosperity). The figures of physical, denote great civil, commotions (Ps 46:2, 3).
3. drink … wine of astonishment—literally, "of staggering"—that is, made us weak (compare Ps 75:8; Isa 51:17, 22).
4, 5. Yet to God's banner they will rally, and pray that, led and sustained by His power (right hand, Ps 17:7; 20:6), they may be safe.
5. hear me—or, "hear us."
6-10. God hath spoken in—or, "by."
his holiness—(Ps 89:35; Am 4:2), on the pledge of His attributes (Ps 22:3; 30:4). Taking courage from God's promise to give them possession (Ex 23:31; De 11:24) (and perhaps renewed to him by special revelation), with triumphant joy he describes the conquest as already made.
Shechem, and … Succoth—as widely separated points, and—
7. Gilead … and Manasseh—as large districts, east and west of Jordan, represent the whole land.
divide … and mete out—means to have entire control over.
Ephraim—denotes the military (De 33:17); and—
Judah—(the lawgiver, Ge 49:10), the civil power. Foreign nations are then presented as subdued.
8. Moab—is a my washpot—the most ordinary vessel.
over—or, "at"
Edom—(as a slave) he casts his shoe.
Philistia, triumph, &c.—or, rather, "shout."
for me—acknowledges subjection (compare Ps 108:9, "over Philistia will I triumph").
9, 10. He feels assured that, though once angry, God is now ready to favor His people.
who will lead me—or, who has led me, as if the work were now begun.
10. Wilt not thou?—or, "Is it not Thou?"
11, 12. Hence he closes with a prayer for success, and an assurance of a hearing.