Psalms 60:5

KJV

That thy beloved may be delivered; save [with] thy right hand, and hear me.

KJV (with Strong's)

That thy beloved {H3039} may be delivered {H2502}{H8735)}; save {H3467}{H8685)} with thy right hand {H3225}, and hear {H6030}{H8798)} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

so that those you love could be rescued; so save with your right hand, and answer us!

Berean Standard Bible

Respond and save us with Your right hand, that Your beloved may be delivered.

American Standard Version

That thy beloved may be delivered, Save with thy right hand, and answer us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 60:5 is a fervent petition embedded within a communal lament, expressing a desperate cry for divine intervention and deliverance for God's cherished people during a time of national distress. It encapsulates the psalmist's profound trust in God's active power and attentive ear, appealing to the special relationship between the Almighty and His "beloved" as the basis for salvation from overwhelming circumstances.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 60 stands as a "Michtam of David," a psalm of instruction or a golden psalm, penned during a period of significant national upheaval and military conflict. The preceding verses ( [Psalms 60:1-3](/psalms/60-1 "Psalms 60:1-3 - A Cry of Despair") ) vividly describe Israel's broken state, feeling abandoned by God, with their land "shaken" and "broken." The psalmist laments God's apparent rejection and the nation's defeat, portraying a people reeling from divine displeasure and military setbacks. Verse 5, therefore, marks a pivotal turn from lamenting the past and present distress to a direct, impassioned plea for God's immediate and powerful intervention, specifically on behalf of "thy beloved." It transitions from describing the problem to earnestly seeking the solution through divine action, setting the stage for the subsequent verses that recall God's promises and express hope for future victory ( [Psalms 60:6-12](/psalms/60-6 "Psalms 60:6-12 - God's Promises and Hope for Victory") ).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The superscription of Psalms 60 explicitly links it to specific historical events: "When he strove with Mesopotamia and with Syria of Zobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand." This refers to David's military campaigns, likely after a significant defeat or setback against Aram-naharaim (Mesopotamia/Syria) and Aram-Zobah, followed by a decisive victory over Edom. The "valley of salt" refers to a location south of the Dead Sea, a strategic area. This context reveals a nation facing existential threats, where military prowess alone was insufficient, and divine favor was paramount. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, military success or failure was often attributed directly to the favor or displeasure of the national deity. Thus, the plea in [Psalms 60:5](/psalms/60-5 "Psalms 60:5 - A Plea for Deliverance") reflects a deep theological understanding that Israel's ultimate security rested not on its armies but on the sovereign power and covenant faithfulness of Yahweh. The sense of being "broken" or "shaken" ( [Psalms 60:2](/psalms/60-2 "Psalms 60:2 - The Land Shaken") ) would have resonated deeply with a people whose identity and well-being were intrinsically tied to their land and God's presence within it.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalms 60 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Deliverance**, portraying God as the ultimate rescuer capable of saving His people from overwhelming odds, a theme echoed throughout the psalms (e.g., [Psalms 3:8](/psalms/3-8 "Psalms 3:8 - Salvation Belongs to the Lord")). Secondly, the phrase "save [with] thy right hand" highlights **God's Omnipotent Power and Authority**, a recurring motif where God's "right hand" symbolizes His strength, decisive action, and ability to execute His will (e.g., [Exodus 15:6](/exodus/15-6 "Exodus 15:6 - The Lord's Right Hand in Victory")). Thirdly, the appeal "and hear me" emphasizes the crucial theme of **Prayer and God's Responsiveness**, foundational to Israel's faith, demonstrating the psalmist's conviction that God listens to the cries of His people and acts on their behalf (e.g., [Psalms 18:6](/psalms/18-6 "Psalms 18:6 - God Hears from His Temple")). Finally, the tender designation "thy beloved" reinforces the theme of **God's Covenantal Love and Special Relationship with His People**, providing the very basis for the plea for intervention. This intimate relationship assures the petitioners that their cries are not unheard but are directed to a God who deeply cherishes them (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:7-8](/deuteronomy/7-7 "Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - God's Love for Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Beloved (Hebrew, _yĕdîḏ_):** This term signifies one who is "dear," "cherished," or "loved." It conveys a deep affection and implies a special, intimate relationship. In the context of God and Israel, it speaks to God's covenantal love and choice of Israel as His peculiar treasure ( [Deuteronomy 7:6](/deuteronomy/7-6 "Deuteronomy 7:6 - Israel, a Holy People to the Lord") ). The psalmist appeals to this pre-existing, foundational relationship as the ground for God's intervention, implying that God's honor and faithfulness are bound up in the well-being of those He calls "beloved."
* **Save (Hebrew, _hôšîʿâ_ - imperative of _yāšaʿ_):** This verb is a foundational term in biblical theology, meaning "to deliver," "to rescue," "to bring to safety," or "to grant victory." It encompasses both physical deliverance from danger and spiritual salvation. The imperative form here is a direct, urgent plea, reflecting the desperate need for God's immediate and powerful action. It is a cry for comprehensive liberation from the present distress, whether military, political, or existential.
* **Right Hand (Hebrew, _yĕmînĕkâ_):** This is a powerful anthropomorphism, attributing a human physical characteristic (a "right hand") to God to describe His attributes and actions. In ancient Near Eastern thought, the right hand symbolized strength, power, authority, skill, and decisive action. It is the hand that strikes, conquers, blesses, and upholds. When applied to God, it signifies His omnipotent power to save, to establish justice, to defeat enemies, and to accomplish His will. The request to "save [with] thy right hand" is a plea for God to exert His full, irresistible power on behalf of His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That thy beloved may be delivered":** This opening clause states the purpose of the psalmist's plea. The "beloved" refers to God's chosen people, Israel, who are in distress. The desire is for them to be "delivered," meaning rescued, drawn out, or set free from the immediate threat and oppression they face. It highlights God's special relationship with His people as the motivation for His intervention.
* **"save [with] thy right hand":** This is the direct petition to God. The imperative "save" is an urgent cry for divine rescue. The instrument of this salvation is specified as God's "right hand," which is a powerful metaphor for His strength, authority, and decisive action. It signifies that the deliverance sought is not by human might but by God's sovereign and irresistible power.
* **"and hear me":** This final clause adds a personal and direct appeal. It is a plea for God's attentive ear and responsive action. It underscores the psalmist's reliance on God's willingness to listen to the prayers of His people and to act in accordance with their cries, affirming the belief that God is not distant but intimately involved in the affairs of His "beloved."

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 60:5 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Anthropomorphism** is prominent in the phrase "thy right hand," where God is ascribed a human body part to symbolize His power and active intervention. This is not meant to be taken literally but serves as a vivid representation of His strength and ability to act decisively. Closely related, the "right hand" functions as a powerful **metaphor** for God's omnipotence, authority, and saving might, evoking images of a warrior's triumphant arm. The verse also exemplifies **petition** or **supplication**, as it is a direct and earnest request to God for help. The structure moves from a statement of purpose ("That thy beloved may be delivered") to a direct command/plea ("save [with] thy right hand") and concludes with a personal appeal for divine attention ("and hear me"), creating a sense of escalating urgency and dependence. The overall tone is one of **lament**, characteristic of Psalms 60, but within this lament, verse 5 shifts to a hopeful and trusting appeal for salvation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 60:5 powerfully articulates the core theological truth that God is both intimately connected to His people and supremely powerful to deliver them. The plea for the "beloved" to be "delivered" by God's "right hand" grounds salvation firmly in God's character: His covenant faithfulness, His profound love for His chosen ones, and His irresistible might. It teaches that in times of deep distress, the proper response is not despair but fervent prayer, trusting that the God who chose and cherishes His people will indeed hear their cries and act decisively on their behalf. This verse underscores the divine initiative in salvation, emphasizing that human efforts are insufficient without God's sovereign intervention. It affirms that God's attentiveness to prayer is a direct outflow of His loving relationship with His "beloved."

* [Exodus 15:6](/exodus/15-6 "Exodus 15:6 - The Lord's Right Hand in Victory")
* [Psalms 34:17](/psalms/34-17 "Psalms 34:17 - The Lord Hears the Cry of the Righteous")
* [Deuteronomy 7:7-8](/deuteronomy/7-7 "Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - God's Love for Israel")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 60:5 offers profound encouragement and a model for prayer in our own times of crisis, whether personal or communal. It reminds us that our hope for deliverance rests not on our own strength, wisdom, or resources, but entirely on the sovereign power of God's "right hand." When we feel overwhelmed, broken, or abandoned, this verse invites us to lean into our identity as God's "beloved" – those whom He cherishes and deeply cares for. It encourages us to voice our desperate pleas with confidence, trusting that God hears the cries of His people and is able and willing to intervene decisively. Our prayers are not in vain; they are addressed to a God who listens and acts out of His boundless love and power. This verse calls us to persistent, faith-filled prayer, knowing that our ultimate salvation comes from Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or in the world do you currently feel a desperate need for God's deliverance?**
* **How does understanding yourself as "God's beloved" impact your confidence in bringing your petitions before Him?**
* **What does it mean for you to trust in God's "right hand" rather than your own strength or human solutions?**
* **How might this verse encourage you to pray more earnestly for those who are suffering or for situations of national or global crisis?**

### FAQ
**What does "thy beloved" refer to in this verse?**

Answer: In the immediate context of Psalms 60, "thy beloved" (Hebrew: _yedid_) primarily refers to the nation of Israel, God's chosen covenant people. This term highlights the special, cherished relationship God had established with them, making them the object of His divine affection and care. This relationship forms the basis for the psalmist's appeal for God's intervention and deliverance in a time of national crisis. For believers today, it can be extended to all who are in Christ, who are likewise called God's beloved ( [Romans 9:25](/romans/9-25 "Romans 9:25 - Called My Beloved") ).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 60:5 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "Beloved Son" of God, declared so at His baptism ( [Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - God's Declaration at Jesus' Baptism") ) and transfiguration ( [Matthew 17:5](/matthew/17-5 "Matthew 17:5 - God's Voice from the Cloud") ). It is through Him that all of God's "beloved" – those who put their faith in Him – are truly delivered. The "right hand" of God, symbolizing divine power and salvation in the Old Testament, is perfectly embodied and exercised by Christ. After His resurrection, Jesus was exalted to the "right hand" of God ( [Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Jesus Exalted to God's Right Hand") ), from where He now reigns and intercedes for His people ( [Romans 8:34](/romans/8-34 "Romans 8:34 - Christ's Intercession for Believers") ). Our ultimate deliverance from the power of sin and death comes through His finished work on the cross and His resurrection ( [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness into Light") ). Furthermore, the plea "and hear me" is perfectly answered in Christ, who assures us that when we ask in His name, our prayers are heard and answered according to God's will ( [John 14:13-14](/john/14-13 "John 14:13-14 - Asking in Jesus' Name") ). Thus, the ancient cry for deliverance in Psalms 60:5 points forward to the complete and eternal salvation offered through the "beloved" Son, whose powerful "right hand" secures our redemption and ensures that the Father always hears the cries of His adopted children.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 108:6

¶ That thy beloved may be delivered: save [with] thy right hand, and answer me.

Psalms 108:13

Through God we shall do valiantly: for he [it is that] shall tread down our enemies.

Psalms 17:7

Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust [in thee] from those that rise up [against them].

Exodus 15:6

Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.

Psalms 18:35

Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Isaiah 41:10

¶ Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Matthew 17:5

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.