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Commentary on Psalms 60 verses 6–12
David is here rejoicing in hope and praying in hope; such are the triumphs of the saints, not so much upon the account of what they have in possession as of what they have in prospect (Psa 60:6): "God has spoken in his holiness (that is, he has given me his word of promise, has sworn by his holiness, and he will not lie unto David, Psa 89:35), therefore I will rejoice, and please myself with the hopes of the performance of the promise, which was intended for more than a pleasing promise," Note, God's word of promise, being a firm foundation of hope, is a full fountain of joy to all believers.
I. David here rejoices; and it is in prospect of two things: -
1.The perfecting of this revolution in his own kingdom. God having spoken in his holiness that David shall be king, he doubts not but the kingdom is all his own, as sure as if it were already in his hand: I will divide Shechem (a pleasant city in Mount Ephraim) and mete out the valley of Succoth, as my own. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine, and both are entirely reduced, Psa 60:7. Ephraim would furnish him with soldiers for his life-guards and his standing forces; Judah would furnish him with able judges for his courts of justice; and thus Ephraim would be the strength of his head and Judah his lawgiver. Thus may an active believer triumph in the promises, and take the comfort of all the good contained in them; for they are all yea and amen in Christ. "God has spoken in his holiness, and then pardon is mine, peace mine, grace mine, Christ mine, heaven mine, God himself mine." All is yours, for you are Christ's, Co1 3:22, Co1 3:23.
2.The conquering of the neighbouring nations, which had been vexatious to Israel, were still dangerous, and opposed the throne of David, Psa 60:8. Moab shall be enslaved, and put to the meanest drudgery. The Moabites became David's servants, Sa2 8:2. Edom shall be made a dunghill to throw old shoes upon; at least David shall take possession of it as his own, which was signified by drawing off his shoe over it, Rut 4:7. As for the Philistines, let them, if they dare, triumph over him as they had done; he will soon force them to change their note. Rather let those that know their own interest triumph because of him; for it would be the greatest kindness imaginable to them to be brought into subjection to David and communion with Israel. But the war is not yet brought to an end; there is a strong city, Rabbah (perhaps) of the children of Ammon, which yet holds out; Edom is not yet subdued. Now, (1.) David is here enquiring for help to carry on the ark: "Who will bring me into the strong city? What allies, what auxiliaries, can I depend upon, to make me master of the enemies' country and their strongholds?" Those that have begun a good work cannot but desire to make a thorough work of it, and to bring it to perfection. (2.) He is expecting it from God only: "Wilt not thou, O God? For thou hast spoken in thy holiness; and wilt not thou be as good as thy word?" He takes notice of the frowns of Providence they had been under: Thou hadst, in appearance, cast us off; thou didst not go forth with our armies. When they were defeated and met with disappointments, they owned it was because they wanted (that is, because they had forfeited) the gracious presence of God with them; yet they do not therefore fly off from him, but rather take so much the faster hold of him; and the less he has done for them of late the more they hoped he would do. At the same time that they own God's justice in what was past they hope in his mercy for what was to come: "Though thou hadst cast us off, yet thou wilt not contend for ever, thou wilt not always chide; though thou hadst cast us off, yet thou hast begun to show mercy; and wilt thou not perfect what thou hast begun?" The Son of David, in his sufferings, seemed to be cast off by his Father when he cried out, Why hast thou forsaken me? and yet even then he obtained a glorious victory over the powers of darkness and their strong city, a victory which will undoubtedly be completed at last; for he has gone forth conquering and to conquer. The Israel of God, his spiritual Israel, are likewise, through him, more than conquerors. Though sometimes they may be tempted to think that God has cast them off, and may be foiled in particular conflicts, yet God will bring them into the strong city at last. Vincimur in praelio, sed non in bello - We are foiled in a battle, but not in the whole war. A lively faith in the promise will assure us, not only that the God of peace shall tread Satan under our feet shortly, but that it is our Father's good pleasure to give us the kingdom.
II. He prays in hope. His prayer is, Give us help from trouble, Psa 60:11. Even in the day of their triumph they see themselves in trouble, because still in war, which is troublesome even to the prevailing side. None therefore can delight in war but those that love to fish in troubled waters. The help from trouble they pray for is preservation from those they were at war with. Though now they were conquerors, yet (so uncertain are the issues of war), unless God gave them help in the next engagement, they might be defeated; therefore, Lord, send us help from the sanctuary. Help from trouble is rest from war, which they prayed for, as those that contended for equity, not for victory. Sic quaerimus pacem - Thus we seek for peace. The hope with which they support themselves in this prayer has two things in it: - 1. A diffidence of themselves and all their creature-confidences: Vain is the help of man. Then only we are qualified to receive help from God when we are brought to own the insufficiency of all creatures to do that for us which we expect him to do. 2. A confidence in God, and in his power and promise (Psa 60:12): "Through God we shall do valiantly, and so we shall do victoriously; for he it is, and he only, that shall tread down our enemies, and shall have the praise of doing it." Note, (1.) Our confidence in God must be so far from superseding that it must encourage and quicken our endeavours in the way of our duty. Though it is God that performs all things for us, yet there is something to be done by us. (2.) Hope in God is the best principle of true courage. Those that do their duty under his conduct may afford to do it valiantly; for what need those fear who have God on their side? (3.) It is only through God, and by the influence of his grace, that we do valiantly; it is he that puts strength into us, and inspires us, who of ourselves are weak and timorous, with courage and resolution. (4.) Though we do ever so valiantly, the success must be attributed entirely to him; for he it is that shall tread down our enemies, and not we ourselves. All our victories, as well as our valour, are from him, and therefore at his feet all our crown must be cast.
"Who will lead Me down into the city of standing round?" [Psalm 60:9]. What is the city of standing round? If you remember already, I have made mention thereof in another Psalm, wherein has been said, "And they shall go around the city." For the city of standing round is the compassing around of the Gentiles, which compassing around of the Gentiles in the middle thereof had the one nation of the Jews, worshipping one God: the rest of the compassing around of the Gentiles to idols made supplication, demons they did serve. And mystically it was called the city of standing round; because on all sides the Gentiles had poured themselves around, and had stood around that nation which did worship one God...."Who will lead me down even unto Idumæa?"
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SUMMARY
Psalms 60:9 encapsulates King David's fervent plea for divine intervention amidst a period of national defeat and military vulnerability. Through two poignant rhetorical questions, "Who will bring me [into] the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?", the psalmist articulates Israel's profound human inadequacy in the face of formidable, fortified enemies. This verse transcends a mere lament, serving as a powerful prayer that transitions from an acknowledgment of God's apparent rejection to a desperate, yet hopeful, appeal for His promised leadership and victory against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, embodying a deep reliance on God as the sole source of triumph in warfare and conquest.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 60:9 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of desperate reliance on God. The most prominent is the Rhetorical Question, repeated twice ("Who will bring me...?", "who will lead me...?"). This device is not intended to elicit a human answer but rather to underscore the speaker's profound helplessness and the conviction that only God possesses the power and authority to accomplish the seemingly impossible task. The questions highlight the human inability to conquer the "strong city" or "Edom" on their own, thereby magnifying the necessity of divine intervention. Parallelism is also powerfully evident in the repetition of the question structure and the analogous nature of the two targets ("strong city" and "Edom"). This reinforces the central plea and underscores the magnitude of the challenge. Furthermore, Symbolism is at play, where the "strong city" and "Edom" transcend their literal meanings to represent any formidable, entrenched, or seemingly unconquerable obstacle—whether military, personal, or spiritual—that requires divine power to overcome. Finally, there is an element of Synecdoche, where "Edom" stands not just for the nation itself, but for the entire military might, hostile intent, and the inherent difficulty of its mountainous and fortified territory.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 60:9 stands as a profound testament to the biblical principle of divine sovereignty and humanity's utter dependence on God for victory, especially against overwhelming odds. Theologically, it underscores God's unique role as the ultimate warrior and leader of His people, capable of achieving what is impossible for human strength or strategy. It challenges any notion of self-reliance, redirecting faith and hope toward the One who commands armies, determines the outcome of battles, and holds the destinies of nations in His hands. This verse teaches that true security and triumph are not found in military might, strategic genius, or impenetrable defenses, but in the active presence and unfailing leadership of the Almighty. It is a prayer that acknowledges God's supreme authority over all nations and His covenant faithfulness to deliver His people, even when they face their deepest despair and most formidable foes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
For the modern believer, Psalm 60:9 offers profound insights into how we are to approach our own "strong cities" and "Edoms"—the seemingly impossible challenges, spiritual battles, persistent sins, overwhelming circumstances, or entrenched societal issues we face. Just as King David recognized his and the nation's limitations, we are called to acknowledge our utter need for God's leadership and power in every sphere of life. This verse encourages us to shift our perspective from human capability to divine omnipotence, reminding us that no obstacle is too great for God. It compels us to seek His guidance first, to trust in His unfailing strength, and to engage in fervent prayer when confronted with what appears to be an insurmountable barrier. Ultimately, it fosters a spirit of humble dependence, reminding us that true victory and progress in life's most formidable battles come not from our own might or cleverness, but from the sovereign hand and unfailing leadership of God, who alone can lead us into triumph.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Question: Why is Edom specifically mentioned in this psalm?
Answer: Edom is specifically mentioned in Psalm 60 for several compelling reasons rooted in Israel's history and the immediate context of David's reign. Historically, the Edomites were descendants of Esau, making them distant relatives of Israel, yet they were often hostile and persistent adversaries. Their territory, located southeast of Israel, was characterized by mountainous and rugged terrain, which naturally led to the development of heavily fortified cities, making their strongholds particularly difficult to conquer. The superscription of Psalm 60 explicitly states that it was written "when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand." This indicates that Edom was a current and significant military challenge for David's kingdom, representing a formidable and entrenched foe. Therefore, "Edom" serves not only as a literal, historical enemy but also as a powerful symbol of any seemingly insurmountable obstacle or persistent adversary that Israel faced, underscoring the specific, tangible nature of the threat that prompted David's desperate plea for divine intervention.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 60:9 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the true and ultimate leader who brings His people into victory over the most formidable "strong cities" of sin, death, and the devil. Humanity, in its fallen state, is utterly incapable of conquering these spiritual strongholds; we cannot "bring ourselves into the strong city" of salvation or "lead ourselves into Edom" to defeat the powers of darkness. It is Christ alone who, through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, triumphed over all principalities and powers, making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in the cross (as seen in Colossians 2:15). He is the one who, by His own blood, has destroyed him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and delivered those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery (Hebrews 2:14-15). Just as David sought God's leadership into Edom, Christ leads His church, promising that the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). He is the victorious warrior, riding forth to conquer, who will ultimately lead His redeemed people into the "strong city" of the New Jerusalem, where all enemies will be under His feet and God will be all in all (Revelation 19:11-16 and 1 Corinthians 15:25-28). In Him, the desperate human cry for a leader against insurmountable odds is answered definitively and eternally.