Psalm 60 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.
2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.
3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
5 That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.
6 God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.
7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;
8 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.
9 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?
10 Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?
11 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
12 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 60:12
Verse: בֵּאלֹהִים נַעֲשֶׂה עָז
Transliteration: B’Elohim na’aseh oz
English: “With God we shall do valiantly; He will tread down our foes.”
Focus Word: עָז (Oz)
- Root: ע-ז (Ayin-Zayin)
- Meaning: “Strength,” “might,” “power.”
- Deeper Insight: Oz signifies force, bravery, and divine empowerment, emphasizing God as the source of victory.
| Hebrew Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| זָנַח — zanach | Verse 1 — “O God, You have cast us off…” | “To reject,” forsake. | Zanach (“to reject”) depicts divine displeasure (“cast off”). It expresses national crisis under divine judgment. The word sets a tone of lament and confession. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| פָּרַץ — paratz | Verse 1 — “…You have broken us down.” | “To break through,” tear down. | Paratz (“to break down”) conveys overwhelming defeat (“broken”). It symbolizes shattered national strength. The term intensifies the Psalm’s lament. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary |
| רָגַז — ragaz | Verse 1 — “…You have been displeased.” | “To quake,” tremble with anger. | Ragaz (“to be angry”) expresses divine indignation (“displeased”). It reveals moral reasons behind Israel’s defeat. The word highlights need for reconciliation. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| תָּשׁוּב — tashuv | Verse 1 — “…restore us again.” | “To return,” restore. | Tashuv (“to restore”) conveys desire for renewed favor (“restore”). It emphasizes repentance seeking reconciliation. The term forms the Psalm’s central plea. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Lexicon |
| רָעַל — ra’al | Verse 3 — “…wine of confusion.” | “To reel,” stagger. | Ra’al (“to stagger”) symbolizes disorientation (“reel/confusion”). It expresses the nation’s destabilized condition. The word conveys consequences of divine judgment. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| נֵס — nes | Verse 4 — “You have given a banner…” | “Banner,” signal. | Nes (“banner”) signifies rallying point (“banner”). It represents hope for the faithful. The term marks divine provision in battle. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Keil & Delitzsch Commentary |
| פָּלַט — palat | Verse 5 — “…that Your beloved may be delivered.” | “To rescue,” save. | Palat (“to rescue”) expresses hope for salvation (“delivered”). It reveals divine care for the beloved. The word highlights covenant protection. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
| דִּבֶּר — dibber | Verse 6 — “God has spoken in His holiness…” | “To speak,” declare. | Dibber (“to speak”) expresses authoritative divine promise (“spoken”). It guarantees the certainty of God’s word. The term frames the rest of the Psalm with assurance. — Franz Delitzsch, Commentary |
| מָדַד — madad | Verse 6 — “…I will divide Shechem…” | “To measure,” apportion. | Madad (“to measure”) signifies sovereign distribution (“divide/portion”). It asserts God’s ownership over the land. The word strengthens claims of divine sovereignty. — Carl Friedrich Keil, Commentary |
| תָּשִׁיעַ — tashi’a | Verse 11 — “Give us help from trouble…” | “To save,” bring victory. | Tashi’a (“to save/victory”) expresses request for divine triumph (“help/victory”). It contrasts human failure with divine strength. The term ends the Psalm with hope. — Wilhelm Gesenius, Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon |
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 60 |
|---|---|---|
| John Calvin (University of Paris / Orléans, 1509–1564) | Commentaries on the Psalms | Calvin highlights the Psalm as a call for God’s help after defeat, emphasizing dependence on divine strength. |
| Matthew Henry (Christ Church, Oxford, 1662–1714) | Exposition of the Old and New Testament | Observes that God’s mercy is sought for national restoration and divine favor. |
| Richard Sibbes (Pembroke College, Cambridge, 1577–1635) | The Bruised Reed | Notes that acknowledging human weakness encourages reliance on God’s power. |
| John Owen (University of Oxford, 1616–1683) | A Commentary on the Psalms | Observes the Psalm teaches that victory comes only through God’s intervention. |
| Thomas Manton (Christ’s College, Cambridge, 1620–1677) | Exposition of the Psalms | Highlights the Psalmist’s humility and plea for God’s guidance in national affairs. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin reads the psalm as a national lament after severe military setbacks. Israel’s distress drives them to renewed confidence in God. Victory is anticipated through divine intervention. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry sees the psalm as acknowledging national chastisement. Human strength fails, but God’s banner still leads. Faith looks forward to restoration. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes interprets the psalm as Israel’s cry after experiencing deep humiliation in battle. Yet God will turn defeat into triumph. The closing petition expresses assurance. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison emphasizes the shock of military disaster described in the psalm. Yet the psalmist clings to God’s promises. Final victory belongs to the Lord. |
| William Walford – Commentary on the Psalms | Walford reads the psalm as a nation staggering under divine chastening. Prayer for restoration arises from faith in God’s help. God’s presence ensures deliverance. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar views the psalm as portraying the Church afflicted yet upheld. Human defeat becomes the setting for divine power. The psalm ends in hope. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker interprets the psalm as revealing humanity’s frailty in times of crisis. God alone can lift fallen spirits. Victory is assured in Him. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale emphasizes the psalm’s mixture of sorrow and confidence. Israel feels torn but trusts God’s promises. The final appeal rests in divine strength. |
| Horatius Bonar – Meditations on the Psalms | Bonar sees the psalm as a prayer rising from national distress. Divine chastening becomes a call to deeper faith. God ultimately secures triumph. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth interprets the psalm as lament followed by prophecy of victory. God will unite His people under His rule. His strength alone brings conquest. |
