David ultimately prevailed in victory. The psalm expresses the feelings of a people shocked and confused by a tragedy which suggested that God had abandoned them.
I. The People’s Contemplation of Abandonment (60:1-5).
II. The LORD’s Control over the Nations (60:6-8).
III.The People’s Confidence in God (60:9-12).
Title: “Joab … smote twelve thousand”.
Psalm 60:1 O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast scattered us, Thou hast been displeased; O turn Thyself to us again.
Psalm 60:3 Thou hast showed Thy people hard things: Thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
Psalm 60:7 Gilead [is] Mine, and Manasseh [is] Mine; Ephraim also [is] the strength of Mine head; Judah [is] My lawgiver;
“Gilead … Ephraim”:
All of these key geographical locations in Israel ultimately belonged to God, who was more interested in their welfare than anyone else.
“Strength”:
Ephraim was the primary source of defense to the north of Israel.
“Lawgiver”:
Judah was the tribe which was to govern Israel, from which David and his descendants came. This is speaking of the different separations.
All belongs to God and whoever He desires to give it to. “Judah is My lawgiver”.
We know that Jesus was the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
Psalm 60:8 Moab [is] My washpot; over Edom will I cast out My shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of Me.
“Moab … Edom … Philistia”:
The Moab is my washpot,.... To wash hands and feet in: and so the
Philistia, triumph thou because of Me: some take this to be an ironic expression.
Psalm 60:12 Through God we shall do valiantly: for He [it is that] shall tread down our enemies."
BooksOfTheBible/John Gill
