View Psalms 60 in the note window.
David remembering God's judgments on the land, prays for help,
ver. 1 - 5.
Triumphs in confidence of receiving it, ver. 6 - 12.
To the chief musician upon Shushan - eduth, Michtam of David, to
teach; when he strove with Aram - naharaim, and with Aram - zobah,
when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt,
twelve thousand.
Title of the psalm. Shushan - eduth - This seems to be the name of an
instrument, or tune, then well known, but now unknown and forgotten.
To teach - For the special instruction of God's people.
Aram - naharaim - The Syrians (so called from Aram, the son of
Shem, (Ge 10:22),)
of the two rivers, or of Mesopotamia, the country between Tygris
and Euphrates. Aram - zobah - The Syrians of Zobah, part of Syria
so called.
2: Tremble - A poetical expression, signifying great changes among
the people.
3: To drink - Thou hast filled us with no less honor, than men
intoxicated with strong drink.
4: A banner - Which is a sign and instrument,
- Of union. This people who were lately divided, thou hast united
under one banner, under my government:
- Of battle. Thou hast given us an army, and power to oppose our
enemies; which blessing God gave to Israel, for the sake of those
few sincere Israelites who were among them.
The truth - Not for any merit of ours, but to shew thy faithfulness in
making good thy promises.
5: Beloved - Thy beloved people.
6: Rejoice - Therefore I will turn my prayers into praises, for what
God has already done. Divide - Which supposeth possession and dominion.
Shechem - A place within Jordan, in mount Ephraim. Succoth - A
place without Jordan. He mentions Shechem, and Succoth; for all
the land of Canaan, within and without Jordan.
7: Gilead - All the land beyond Jordan, which was possessed by
Reuben and Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh.
Manasseh - The other half of that tribe within Jordan.
The strength - A chief part of my strength, either to offend mine enemies,
or to defend myself. For this tribe was very numerous, and valiant and
rich. Law - giver - The chief seat of my throne and kingdom, and of the
inferior throne of judgment, (Ps 122:5).
8: Wash - pot - In which I shall wash my feet. I shall bring them into
the lowest degree of servitude. Shoe - I will use them like slaves; a
proverbial expression. Triumph - It is an ironical expression, signifying
that her triumphs were come to an end.
9: Who - None can do it but God. City - The cities; the singular
number for the plural. Having beaten his enemies out of the field, he
desires God's assistance to take their strong - holds, and so secure himself
from farther attempts. Edom - Which was an high and rocky country,(Ob 1:1-3), fortified by nature, as well as by art, and therefore not
to be subdued without a Divine hand.
10: Hadst cut off - But now hast graciously returned to us.
