Psalm 60

Psalm 60[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of ‘The Lily of the Covenant’. A miktam[b] of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim[c] and Aram Zobah,[d] and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

1You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us;
    you have been angry – now restore us!
2You have shaken the land and torn it open;
    mend its fractures, for it is quaking.
3You have shown your people desperate times;
    you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
4But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner
    to be unfurled against the bow.[e]

5Save us and help us with your right hand,
    that those you love may be delivered.
6God has spoken from his sanctuary:
    ‘In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
    and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.
7Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim is my helmet,
    Judah is my sceptre.
8Moab is my washbasin,
    on Edom I toss my sandal;
    over Philistia I shout in triumph.’

9Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
10Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
    and no longer go out with our armies?
11Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.
12With God we shall gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 60:1 In Hebrew texts 60:1-12 is numbered 60:3-14.
  2. Psalm 60:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 60:1 Title: That is, Arameans of North-west Mesopotamia
  4. Psalm 60:1 Title: That is, Arameans of central Syria
  5. Psalm 60:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
Psalm 60