Psalm 60: A Prayer for National Deliverance

Psalm 60 was written by David during his war with the Edomites. Initially, the forces of Israel must have struggled because the psalm opens with David pleading, “O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again” (v. 1).

The nation had been shaken to its core by this defeat.

“Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh” (v. 2). Israel had defeated the Philistines, Amalekites, Aramaeans, and Moabites, but the Edomites were tougher than expected. “Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment” (v. 3).

The nation was reeling from a military setback and wondering, Why has God seemingly deserted His chosen nation? “Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” (v. 4).

Despite this setback, David hoped Israel would rally under the banner of the Lord and advance to victory. God had promised to defeat Israel’s enemies.

David now asked Him to keep that promise (vv. 4–8).

“Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?” (v. 9). The kingdom of Edom lay south of the Dead Sea.

The strong city David was referring to was most likely Petra, the Edomite capital. Petra “could be approached only through a narrow gorge with rocky, sometimes vertical, walls. The city was rock hewn and practically inaccessible to the invader (see Obadiah 1, 3). David expresses eagerness to capture this stronghold.” David ends his psalm with a request: “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” (Psalm 60:10, 11).

With God fighting alongside Israel’s armies, victory would come. With God as a force multiplier, Joab gained victory over the Edomites (1 Kings 11:15, 16).

“God is the refuge of His saints; / . . . Ere we can offer our complaints.”