Psalms 60:3

Context of Psalms 60:3

Psalm 60 is a communal lament and prayer for restoration, traditionally attributed to David. The superscription suggests it was composed during a time of significant national distress and military setback, specifically when David's army fought against Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned to smite Edom in the Valley of Salt. This verse, Psalms 60:3, vividly describes the profound sense of defeat, confusion, and suffering experienced by the people of Israel. They felt as though God had withdrawn His favor, causing them to endure severe trials and be overwhelmed by their circumstances, as depicted in the preceding verses where the land is described as broken and rent.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Sovereignty in Suffering: The psalmist attributes the "hard things" and the "wine of astonishment" directly to God's action ("Thou hast shewed," "thou hast made us to drink"). This acknowledges God's ultimate control over all circumstances, even those that bring immense pain and confusion to His people. It highlights the biblical truth that even national calamities can be permitted or sent by God, often for purposes of discipline, purification, or to draw His people back to Him.
• Overwhelming Calamity: The phrase "wine of astonishment" powerfully conveys a state of utter bewilderment, disorientation, and reeling from the severity of the trials. It's a metaphor for being intoxicated not with joy, but with shock, sorrow, and confusion, leaving the people staggered and unable to comprehend their situation. This reflects the deep despair and feeling of being utterly overwhelmed by adversity.
• Lament and Despair: This verse is a raw expression of the nation's distress and their perception of God's hand in their suffering. It's a cry from a people who feel forsaken and broken, a common theme in the Psalms of lament where the authors honestly express their pain and confusion to God, even when they struggle to understand His ways (compare with Psalms 44:9-10).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "hard things" translates the Hebrew word qashah (קָשָׁה), which means difficult, severe, or grievous. It denotes experiences that are harsh and burdensome.

The powerful imagery of "the wine of astonishment" comes from the Hebrew `yayin tar'elah` (יַיִן תַּרְעֵלָה). The word `tar'elah` signifies reeling, staggering, bewilderment, or stupefaction. It suggests a state of being utterly dazed and disoriented, as if under the influence of a potent, bitter drink. This imagery is also used elsewhere in scripture to describe a cup of God's judgment or wrath, causing those who drink it to stagger and be overwhelmed (e.g., Jeremiah 25:15, Revelation 14:10).

Practical Application

This verse offers comfort in its honest portrayal of suffering. It reminds us that:

1. God is Sovereign Over Hardship: Even when life feels overwhelmingly difficult or bewildering, the Bible teaches that God is ultimately in control. While He doesn't directly cause all evil, He can permit trials for various purposes, including drawing us closer to Him, refining our faith, or bringing about a greater good (Hebrews 12:6).
2. It's Okay to Lament: The psalmist doesn't shy away from expressing the raw pain and confusion of the moment. We are permitted to honestly acknowledge our struggles and even our bewilderment to God, knowing He hears our cries.
3. Hope Beyond Astonishment: Though this verse describes a low point, the Psalm as a whole moves towards renewed trust and prayer for God's help. Even when we "drink the wine of astonishment," we can look to God for ultimate deliverance and restoration, as the psalmist does in the later verses of Psalm 60.