Keraia
Psalm 60

Psalm 60:1

Victory with God · Psalm 60:1–12
Read Psalm 60

Translations

Modern
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us!
Traditional
To the chief Musician upon Shushan–eduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram–naharaim and with Aram–zobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.
Literal
For the one directing. According to “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for teaching, in his struggling with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, when Joab returned and struck Edom in the Valley of Salt—twelve thousand men. O God, You have rejected us; You have broken us; You have been angry; may You return to us!
Latin
In finem, pro his qui immutabuntur, in tituli inscriptionem ipsi David, in doctrinam, cum succendit Mesopotamiam Syriæ et Sobal, et convertit Joab, et percussit Idumæam in valle Salinarum duodecim millia. Deus, repulisti nos, et destruxisti nos; iratus es, et misertus es nobis.

Original

Hebrew
English
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A Miktam of David for instruction. When he fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck down 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. You have rejected us, O God; You have broken us; You have been angry; restore us!

Notes

Psalms 60:1

  • This psalm was taught to young people as part of their education.

  • When: See 2 Samuel 8:13–14.

  • Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah refer to the Arameans of northwest Mesopotamia and Syria (see study note on Genesis 24:10).

  • The tune “Lily of the Testimony” is unknown today.

Psalms 60:1–4

When God’s people experience his discipline, they affirm their loyalty and await God’s answer.

Psalms 60:1–12

The psalmist laments a national defeat and cries out to God for rescue.

Psalms 51:1–65:13

These psalms of David share a common theme. They reflect on the experience of evil. In Psalm 51, the psalmist admits his wrongdoing and asks for God's forgiveness. Psalms 52–64 express sorrow over specific evils David faced. A song of praise (Psalm 65) brings David's laments to an end.

Theme notes and profiles

David Joab

Parallels

2 Samuel 8:1–14 1 Chronicles 18:1–13 Psalm 108:1–13

People

David: Anointed king of Israel, ancestor of Jesus Christ Joab: Son of Zeruiah, commander of David's army Miktam: A musical or literary term used in Psalm titles Shushan Eduth: A musical term or tune in the title of Psalm 60

Places

Aram-naharaim: A region mentioned in the title of Psalm 60 Aram-zobah: A region mentioned in the title of Psalm 60 Edom: Descendants of Esau; enemy nation southeast of Israel Valley of Salt: Valley where David and his commanders defeated enemies

Glossary

Aram-Naharaim Aram-Zobah David Eduth Michtam Miktam Music Psalms, Book of Shushan Eduth Zobah

Topics

Afflictions and Adversities: Prayer In Joab: Son of David's Sister: (See Title) Lamentations of David Music: Micahtam: A Musical Term in the Titles of Music: Shoshannim and Shushan-Eduth in the Titles To Psalms: Afflictions Shoshannim: A Wind Instrument, Mentioned in the Titles of Syria: Minor Kingdoms Within the Region: And in the Title of War: God Uses, As a Judgment Zobah: David Writes a Psalm After the Conquest of, See the Title of