Read Psalm 60
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim and Aram Zobah, and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
1 You have rejected us, God, and burst upon us;
you have been angry—now restore us!
2 You have shaken the land and torn it open;
mend its fractures, for it is quaking.
3 You have shown your people desperate times;
you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
4 But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner
to be unfurled against the bow.
5 Save us and help us with your right hand,
that those you love may be delivered.
6 God has spoken from his sanctuary:
“In triumph I will parcel out Shechem
and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.
7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet,
Judah is my scepter.
8 Moab is my washbasin,
on Edom I toss my sandal;
over Philistia I shout in triumph.”
9 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
and no longer go out with our armies?
11 Give us aid against the enemy,
for human help is worthless.
12 With God we will gain the victory,
and he will trample down our enemies.
Go Deeper
In Psalm 60 King David helps us understand the true source of victory in the battle against the enemy. Every one of us knows what it’s like to fight a battle in our own strength. We make promises, claim victory, and vow to never smoke/drink/gossip/binge/look at porn ever again. We pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and white knuckle it. We might find success or sobriety for a few days, but ultimately we end up returning to our old ways. Without the Lord leading our lives we will fail. If we fight in our power and not His, we will be defeated.
It’s exhausting to fail in our battles. We know what it’s like to desire change but to find ourselves stuck in the same old struggles. We feel alone, we feel like failures, and we feel defeated. Sometimes it’s a grind to get out of bed, put our feet on the ground, and face the day ahead of us. The weight is too heavy to carry on our own.
In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Apart from Christ we can do nothing! We need aid against the enemy, because human help is worthless (Psalm v. 11). Without Him we will not succeed and with Him we cannot fail.
What would it look like for you and I to put our hope and trust in the only One who can trample down our enemies and gain victory (v. 12)? Whether fighting against enemy nations like King David or attacking an addiction or sin struggle, how can we acknowledge the true source of victory? God does give us the gift of community to help bear our burdens and to fight alongside us, but unless the Lord leads us, we will labor in vain (Psalm 127:1).
Pause, right now. Take a moment and repent of the ways you try to fight without the Lord. In a position of humility, ask God to give you aid against the enemy. Ask Him to save you and help you. Those He loves will be delivered (v. 5).
Questions
- What battle are you facing on your own? Who can help you carry your burden (Galatians 6:2)?
- What do you think it means when David says “human help is worthless” in Psalm 60:11?
- Why do you think we often rely on our own strength and try to power through instead of leaning on the Lord?
Did You Know?
In Genesis 49:10 we see God promise Judah the right to rule the other tribes. When David writes that “Judah is my scepter,” he’s reminding his readers that a descendant of Judah will reign over God’s people.
3 thoughts on “Communal Laments: Psalm 60”
The truth is we have nothing to fear and nothing to overcome because He is all in all and we are more than conquerors through Him. The recognition of this truth is not flattering to the worker’s sense of heroics, but it is amazingly glorifying to the work of Christ.WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS.
When I feel defeated it is easy to turn to something of this world that is comfort. BUT GOD says turn to Him. “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). Look in God’s Word for scripture to encourage, sustain, and shows you wisdom. Take God your concerns in prayer. Defeat or stress and anxiety is the struggle BUT GOD says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7). Put yourself into action by volunteering somewhere, or finding a person who wants to walk with God and being a mentor. Learn along side of these people. ( I am preaching to myself by the way).
God thank You for giving me wisdom and direction as I walk through this world of struggles. Help me focus on You. Thank You for letting me give my request to You and that You will take my heart and mind and give me peace. Thank You for these minutes of this day, that I am not going to worry or stress over the coming days. God You have great plans for me because I love You. You have given me perfect peace when I stay my mind on You. Thank You for Your unfailing, never ending Hesed love in these minutes today in Jesus name amen
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pride strangles and leads to defeat, humility before sovereign God leads to victory. This morning before I read this Psalm I had the vivid picture of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, including the betrayer, Judas. All this occurred the night before he would be delivered over to his enemies and would give his life to redeem mankind. Jesus always went lower to seek and serve the lost and broken. He often withdrew to spend time alone with the Father. May we do likewise.
11 “Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless.”
Amen, amen, and amen!