“A SAINT’S CONFIDENCE IN GOD – THE ONLY SOURCE OF HELP” PSALM 60:1-12

The superscription of Psalm 60 reads, “To the chief Musician upon Shushan-eduth, Mitchtamof David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the salt twelve thousand.”

Psalm 60 is a michtam (to cover or protect) psalm. This psalm describes the occasion in which David was victorious over his enemies, the Edomites. The Edomites were greatly defeated and never became a force against Israel again.

Psalm 60 teaches that God will deliver His saints during trouble and assures them of ultimate victory. In the midst of trouble, we need to wait patiently on Him, for Psalm 40:1-3 says, “I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.”

The background scripture for this michtam and didactic (teaching) psalm is II Samuel chapter 8. In verses 1-3, David pleas for God’s help because of the adverse predicament or situation Israel was in, “O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again” (v. 1).

David was fully aware that only God could help Israel be victorious. As believers, we must understand to gain spiritual victory, God must help us. By the Lord’s awesome power as stated in verses 4-5, He alone can bring victory out of defeat, “That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me” (v. 5). When anyone is led by God’s power, victory is attainable. In verses 6-8, David reveals that Israel will be victorious and triumph over their enemies because God is in control of the land. David states, “God hath spoken in His holiness; I will rejoice” (v.6) as he lists the victories that God will grant him.

Thank God that He is Sovereign and is in complete control of every parcel of land, despite the arrogance of man, for Psalm 24:1-2 states “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For He hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.”

Our God created everything and He has the power to sustain His creation (Colossians 1:17). This marvelous psalm ends in verses 9-12 with David declaring that victory is only in God, “Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies” (v.12).

May God Bless!